Best Candide Recording?

[heathurrr]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 4:42pm

I'm looking to buy a recording of Candide. Any suggestions?

[folkyboy]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 4:43pm

i personally like the 2 disc recording from 1973 of Candide or the New Broadway Cast recording.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 4:46pm

Are you looking for the most complete or the best cast?

I'm a fan of the new 1973 re-master too, though I also think the original is worth getting if just for Barbara Cook.

As a general rule I start with the original and then move on to other recordings if I love the score. I'd say OBC.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 4:48pm

Start with the OBC. The Chelsea recording will give you a sense of what fun the show was to experience, even though it is far from the best sung.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 4:59pm

The one to avoid is Leonard Bernein's studio recording with June Anderson and Jerry Hadley. None of the principals were in the studio at the same time and it shows.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 5:00pm

I have them all, but the two that I listen to the most are the OBC and the Scottish Opera versions. While the '73 Broadway revival version gives you an almost complete sense of the experience of that production, the reduced orchestra and some really dreadful singing just do it in for me. If I am going to listen to the score, I prefer to hear the full orchestration and to have it well sung.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 5:13pm

I have the one with Babara Cook and rather like it.

[heathurrr]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 5:25pm

I just went on itunes and bought the Barbara Cook recording. I love her! I couldn't find the 1973 one there.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 5:40pm

The 1973 one is the only one I have and I really love it. Buuuuut that's just me.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 5:48pm

I'm no CANDIDE expert. But I do consider myself a "Glitter and Be Gay" expert, and I have yet to hear a recorded rendition (including Kristin Chenoweth on the DVD) that is as funny, warm, thrilling, well-sung, and fascinating as Barbara Cook's in the original. Actually all of her tracks in the OBCR have yet to be matched.
I listened to the Bernstein recording and I don't care for it at all.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 5:56pm

Ray, try out Marilyn Hill Smith's "Glitter and Be Gay" on the Scottish Opera version.

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 5:58pm

Smaxie, I guess you killed my "Glitter and Be Gay" expert status as that's one rendition I have yet to hear
Do you know if it's available on iTunes by any chance? Do you prefer it to Cook's?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 6:18pm

Cook I think has the edge in the humor department, but Smith's is still funny (and she's gets delightfully coarse for "If I'm not pure at least my jewels are!") And because Smith is an opera singer, she sails through the vocals, but she doesn't have any of that opera singer stiffness. The only negative I can voice for Cook's version is that she's a little pinched in the upper register. I can't really rank one above the other. I like them pretty equally. I do think that all of the JAY Records output is available on ITunes, so I think you can find Smith's version.

Incidentally, Erie Mills in the original City Opera version was hysterical in person, ripping the jewels off of the harmonium player, but she's pretty straightforward on the recording, so the humor of her performance really doesn't come through.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 6:23pm

I have snippets of Sarah Rice singing it and she's fantastic. My voice teacher also saw her perform it live and said she was amazing.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 6:30pm

Oh, I'd love to hear Sarah Rice's rendition.
Smaxie, you basically pointed out my problem with 90% of the "Glitter and Be Gay" performances. The singers tend to be opera singers who can hit the notes but none add the warmth, excitement and most importantly the humor behind those lyrics the way Cook does. Then there is Chenoweth, who also comes from a musical theater background, yet to me seeing her go through that song is like seeing her try to get through the marathon. Her vocals are good but she has none of that ability that Cook does on the OBCR to just switch seamlessly through the range of the number. Plus Chenoweth asks so much for the laughs whereas Cook's approach is less over-the-top which makes it even funnier.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 6:43pm

Yes, it seems like you either get the notes or you get the humor, but rarely both.

I did locate the Scottish Opera recording on ITunes. Try downloading Smith's version and let me know what you think of it. Just search for Candide Scottish Opera. That recording also has my favorite version of "We Are Women".

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 6:47pm

I think it is like Follies, there are things to admire about many of the recordings I have heard and things that ruin them.
I learned the score from the '73 revival and although I have a place in my heart for it, there are many better recordings.
But I have never heard any recording that did not have SOMETHING to recommend.


Check this vocal/orchestra performance...

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 6:53pm

My, but Natalie Dessay can sing.

However, I still prefer Cook or Chenoweth for the acting.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 7:14pm

Dessay is my favorite soprano ever and I looove how she sings it, but she doesn't act it to my liking.

I'm picky.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 7:18pm

Yea, with Natalie, who is actually a good actress, this is not one of the better ACTED performances, but DANG, her vocals are phenomenal!

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 7:21pm

Sumi Jo did a good vocal rendition of it, too.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 7:36pm

Smaxie, I also ADORE Marilyn Hill Smith's version. Love how she sustains the last note all the way.

My favorite is really Barbara Cook's though.

Chenoweth, vocally, is actually one of my least favorite. I think she sounds tight on her high Cs. My least favorite of all, really, is Christiane Noll's. SOOO irritating.

Favorite recording is also the OBC, but the most fun to listen to in its entirety is probably the 1970's Chelsea version.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 7:41pm

Smaxie, I downloaded Smith's version and thoroughly enjoyed it. The vocals are...wow. I like the acting too, though I do think Cook's musical comedy chops serve her so well to make the acting behind the song come off as flawless. I agree with you, both versions are terrific, but I have to say I still prefer Barbara Cook's (out of personal bias more than anything though).

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 8:29pm

I didn't know Christiane Noll had sung it. I'll have to hear it, even if it is annoying.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 8:43pm

My favorite is the audio rip of the New York Philharmonic concert cast with Patti LuPone.