42nd Street OBC Recording Question!

[BialyBloomInc02]

Posted: 4/29/04 at 8:00pm

Hey all,

Just a quick question, the Audition number on the CD uses solely a piano for backing when the tapping begins and the orchestra only comes in at the very end at the 'break's. I was watching a clip I had on TiVo of the OBC performing the number back in 1980 and it had the full orchestra backing the number (just like in the revival recording). Was there any reason why they did this? Or was the use of only the piano changed later in the run to include the full orchestra?..any info would be MOST appreciated!:)

And I have to note that the thundering sound of taps on the 1980 OBC recording can in no ways compare to the perfect sound of the revival recording however! (taps recorded with digital technology now just seem really tinny and fake).

[magruder]

Posted: 4/29/04 at 9:19pm

The "Audition" in the original 42nd Street featured the full orchestra, like on the revival recording. When the original was being recorded, however, Merrick decided he only wanted to hear the thunderous taps of the company and so the number was recorded with just the solo piano.