ALNM & ThreePenny Opera

[DickonDefysGravity]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 6:03pm

I have the OBC of A Little Night Music. Are any of the other recordings worth getting? (London/Studio)?

And which recording of ThreePenny Opera is best?

...just got cast in both :)

[BNN]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 6:17pm

The cast recording with Judi Dench (Royal National Theatre I believe) is a definite must.

As for Threepenny, I personally can't stand it but if you can find the recording with Raul Julia and Ellen Greene I would shoot for that, I think it's a Shakespeare Festival recording or something of that nature.

[DickonDefysGravity]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 6:22pm

Gotcha. :)

[DickonDefysGravity]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 6:43pm

I couldn't find either of those versions on amazon.com ...
I'll try iTunes unless anyone has any other suggestions... :)

[choitoy]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 8:09pm

Just a hint to you Dickon.

The Judi Dench ALNM was out of print basically as the first batch came off the presses. I got my copy a couple of years ago off eBay for about $100 (when it is on eBay, it typically goes between $120-140). I do love this recording though, and it gets played more than my OBC. Don't bother with the JAY/TER London Studio recording (I found the sound really off and some of the vocals were dreadful). The other main recording (well, besides the vinyl of the Elizabeth Taylor movie version), is the original London Cast, and while that one has it's charm, it isn't entirely necessary to get.

The Threepenny Opera with Raul Julia and Ellen Greene is only on (out of print) vinyl for now, though there are rumors swirling about that Sony may either re-release it on CD, or give it to ARKIV to make CD-Rs on demand from them (though I don't really believe the ARKIV rumors, as that company ususally re-releases stuff that came out on CD first). Having heard three different Threepenny recordings, I tend to gravitate back to the JAY Records Donmar Warehouse recording, but that's just me, and you can search up past links on the subject to see why there is some weakness to this recording.

[DMsquared2]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 8:59pm

The only thing I like about the London Studio Recording of A Little Night Music is the orchestrations. Other than that, the OBCR is the way to go.

[DickonDefysGravity]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 9:02pm

Oh ok. Thanks. I'll go get the JAY Records Donmar Warehouse recording of ThreePenny Opera.

[heathurrr]

Posted: 6/11/08 at 9:07pm

I agree with whomever brought up Judi Dench. She is absolutley fab. in ALNM!