Chess recording?

[AngusN]

Posted: 9/8/09 at 4:04am

Which Chess recording is closest to the actual stage show?

[vassey]

Posted: 9/8/09 at 5:51am

The Broadway cast recording is closest to the Broadway version, obviously :P, whilst the 2001 Danish Tour (now deleted) is closest to the Original London production, or the 2008 Concert with Menzel, Pascal, Groban etc.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 9/8/09 at 6:24am

The Broadway cast recording has been deleted for several years now at the request of the authors.

[binau]

Posted: 9/8/09 at 7:26am

"deleted" is a term I haven't heard applied to cast recordings before..can you elaborate on that :S?

Interestingly I saw a shrink-wraped Chess Broadway in a store the other day, expensive though.

[Justin D]

Posted: 9/8/09 at 8:12am

It just means they aren't making it anymore and cant make any more if requested.

But yes, the 2001 Danish one is probably the best if you can get ahold of it. It is the same show that was used in the concert, but with out the bad audio and bad Idina

[AngusN]

Posted: 9/8/09 at 9:16am

So the show that is on amateur release is closest to the Danish version? Is that because the show changed after the Original London production?

[musicaltheatreman]

Posted: 9/8/09 at 9:25am

why were the broadway and danish cast recording deleted?

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 9/8/09 at 9:29am

At first, the Danish one was reissued with several tracks deleted because they didn't have the proper authority to release these songs publicly and then it was discontinued altogether.

[Love the Tussin]

Posted: 9/8/09 at 9:39am

The Danish recording is fine, but it's just hard to recommend it because it's devoid of all personality. Idina Menzel ruined so much of the 2008 recording. Pick your poison.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 9/8/09 at 1:02pm

Oh, Deleted simply means the CD (or book or whatever item) is deleted from the catalog and no longer in print. Dealers often buy up sealed copies of recent deletes in bulk, sit on them a few years then sell them at inflated prices.

It used to be that if a recording were deleted, this was about the only way to get it. That's all changed now. Many items that are no longer in print on CD can still be purchased as downloads. True you don't get the booklets and other CD packaging but at least you can hear the music.

But some items - like the Broadway CHESS - are deleted for reasons other than weak sales and in this case the authors do not want the Broadway version done any more. (I have the script from Samuel French, which I suppose is also no longer available.)

Updated On: 9/8/09 at 01:02 PM

[kchenofan]

Posted: 9/8/09 at 8:48pm

Must we turn a simple question into Idina-bashing?

[Annas_Priest]

Posted: 9/8/09 at 8:51pm

Yes

[binau]

Posted: 9/8/09 at 9:09pm

When discussing what Chess recording to buy, it's relevant to consider the quality of the performances on the CD (or in Idina's case, lack thereof). So I agree with Yes :).

Updated On: 9/8/09 at 09:09 PM

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 9/8/09 at 9:20pm

I'm not normally one to focus on the negative but I have to here...Idina is just not good as Florence. Her diction, especially on Nobody's Side (oy, if I had a dollar) is crap!

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 9/9/09 at 2:46am

The Australian recording is also very close to be a full recording

[binau]

Posted: 9/9/09 at 4:53am

There is an Australian recording?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/9/09 at 5:19am

One thing some people don't realize is that the original London production was different from the concept album (one big change being Story of Chess being moved from the end)

[Justin D]

Posted: 9/9/09 at 8:13am

Not that I would reccomend it, but the Swedish one has a new song sung by Svetlana that's quite haunting, but I have no idea what it's about. It is also on DVD and there was talk years ago that that would be the version to come to Broadway, I'm glad it isnt, it was just boreing visually and they changed it up alot, like placing end game near the start of act 2.

There is also a Swedish Concert version sung in English, but that is basically the same as the London Concept.

I love the Danish one for songs like the Press COnference, TV INterview, Soviet Machine and all the little connecting bits of music. I only wish the CD booklet had some imaged of the actual show, would be cool to see how it looked.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 9/9/09 at 8:19am

The OBC is actually still in print in the UK. That's how I got my copy.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chess-Original-Broadway-Cast/dp/B000026F9T/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1252499425&sr=1-7

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 3:40pm

Justin D: this site has photos from various productions, including the Danish cast (you just have to look for them): http://www.geocities.com/ky_guy_4/chess/chessthemusical.htm

As for recordings of the show: I highly recommend starting with the original studio recording. Then if you want a guide to the show as it is now, listen to the newest recording with Groban and Menzel (and then cry). You might also try to get the DVD/CD of the Swedish production, which in my opinion is the only one that ever came close to getting the book right. Yes, certain pieces of music are used differently (most noticeably the music from "Endgame") but for the most part the changes work. If you'd like a synopsis of this version, I'll be glad to stick one here.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 4:33pm

Since it hasn't been mentioned, the current release of the Danish Tour Cast Recording is missing some material that was present in the first release. It's just some instrumental stuff for the most part, and maybe a little of the recitative. As a consolation there's an entertaining remix of "One Night In Bangkok" at the end.

So, I suppose, there is CURRENTLY no entirely complete recording of CHESS available. Remember, the Tour Cast Recording has some stuff (like "Der Klein Franz", etc.) that was cut from the concert starring IDINA.

I hope the new Broadway production cuts down some of the recitative and puts in one of the new songs from the Swedish production, or perhaps a new one altogether. The end was never quite right, unless it was the complete "Story of Chess". Bennett had it right, as always...

P

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 5:14pm

Does anyone know for sure which version Samuel French is currently offering?

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 6:57pm

A quick search for "Chess" on their site only offers the Nelson script (and a really ugly pink on gray logo; I hope that's not what they make people use to promote the show!)

[trevytoe]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 8:14pm

I have the concept album which I think is great, but I usually listen to a bootleg I have of the live concert version with Groban, Pascal, Julia Murney, etc.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/11/09 at 9:02pm

Why would you listen to a bootleg when it's been released on CD?