Is the NY Philharmonic recording of Sweeney Todd worth purchasing?

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 1:12am

It's been on my Amazon wish list for awhile, and I am considering buying it this weekend.

[binau]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 1:17am

[Assuming we are talking about the CD]

Yes, although certainly not for Patti LuPone but she is palatable. I think highlights are George Hearn, Neil Patrick Harris, Audra McDonald and the ensemble.

I think it's a nice substitute to the OBC album if you want a change every now and then but don't want to have to resort to the minimalist orchestrations or Cerveris' performance as Sweeney Todd on the revival album (I actually enjoy listening to Patti with this one though).

Updated On: 2/1/09 at 01:17 AM

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 1:18am

Yes, we are talking about the CD.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 1:51am

NPH has the best Pirelli's Miracle Elixir out of all the recordings.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 4:08am

Get it. Only so many copies were pressed. You will regret it down the road if you don't get it. Audra is a captivating Beggar Woman. LuPone's Lovett is over-the-top and not what she would create for the revival. Hearn is menacing and the supporting cast is tip top. If you don't feel it necessary to hear Audra's Beggar Woman, though I think it is, then get the DVD with a perfectly wonderful Victoria Clark

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 10:14am

I love this recording. George Hearn, and Neil Patrick Harris are amazing. Patti, plays the role in an "Angela" way. Nothing like the revival (which I kind of prefer). Its a nice change once in a while. And if I'm correct isn't this the only audio recording of George Hearn?

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 12:09pm

Ok. You guys talked me into it. I'll order it right now.

[LaRue]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 12:11pm

You won't be sorry.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 12:14pm

It's actualy my favorite recording.

[Brick]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 12:14pm

It's truly a concert presentation of the material, by a first class group.

Some of the performances are slightly over the top, as the priority here is presentation of the music. Everyone is truly singing the hell out of the score, as opposed to finding variety and quiter contrasting moments any production would find. George Hearn is powerful, Patti belts Lovett like only she can (and yes, in a Patt-does-Angela's-Lovett style completely unlike her performance in the revival, as well as the sublime supporting cast also bringing beautifully sung performances.

I highly recommend it.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 2:46pm

Neil Patrick Harris is great, Audra McDonald is beautiful as always (maybe even too much so for the beggar woman), Patti LuPone does a pretty decent Angela Lansbury impression, so it is interesting just to see how far she came by the time of the revival. I don't care for George Hearn (ducks).

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 2:51pm

Well, with all of the input how could I not purchase this? Especially since Sweeney Todd is my favorite musical.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 2:57pm

Why are people selling it for so cheap? It usually goes for a lot more. Get it while you can.

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 3:01pm

I know! That is one reason why I waited for it. But then I saw that the NY Philharmonic was selling it for $14.00 and some change.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 5:47pm

This recording is a must-have for any Sweeney fan. It is by far the best of the three. The HUGE orchestra is AMAZING, as is the large chorus and all the principals. George Hearn sounds a bit old (since, you know, he is), and not as great as he does on the DVD from 25 years ago, but he still sounds really solid and is more appropriate for the role than was Len Cariou (who is/was more of a character singer) and Michael Cerveris (who has a gorgeous voice, but the role was just too low for him IMO). Patti LuPone is fantastic too. I was personally not a fan of how John Doyle directed her in the role in the revival. She was much better in the concerts with George Hearn and this is reflected on the CD.

[binau]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 5:56pm

Praising Patti LuPone's concert performance, suggesting George Hearn>Len Cariou and preferring this recording to the OBC all in the same post? *has heart attack*.

I personally couldn't disagree with you more :P, but to each their own.

Updated On: 2/1/09 at 05:56 PM

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 6:25pm

Any reason not to get the DVD? You can always close your eyes and just listen .....

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 6:36pm

I need to say, I saw Len Cariou as 'Nixon" in "Frost/Nixon" in Toronto.

Two things:
1. It was hard to think that he was Sweeney. Thats shows how great an actor is is.
2. If he wanted to read me the phone book he could.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 6:44pm

I'm sure Mr. Cariou acted Sweeney superbly. I just prefer the role sung a little bit more "legit."
Updated On: 2/1/09 at 06:44 PM

[binau]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 7:08pm

"Two things:
1. It was hard to think that he was Sweeney. Thats shows how great an actor is is. "

kind of off topic, but this reminds me of his performance in "Lady in white" compared to his performance in the Little Night music movie, where physically he seems radically different:

(how I remember him in ALNM movie)

(how I remember him in Lady in white).

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/1/09 at 10:46pm

The thing that bugs me about George Hearn is how incredibly unthreatening he is while not managing to be sympathetic, either. Especially in the concert DVD, he just screams his way through the whole show. I couldn't take him seriously as a character at all.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 2/2/09 at 12:27am

Hearn's more legit than Cariou? He just screams his way through the score.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 2/2/09 at 12:29am

I think Hearn was pretty scary as Sweeney on the DVD with Lansbury, and was sympathetic at the appropriate points. He definitely gives a larger-than-life performance, but that's what the role calls for IMO. I agree though that he isn't that great on the DVD with LuPone. He sounds good, but his acting wasn't as full-throttle. Because it was a concert, I don't think he was going all out with the acting. But he is amazing on the Lansbury DVD (he won an Emmy for it when it originally aired on PBS).