Les Mis: Which recording do you prefer?

10th anniversary, given your choices. But out of ALL of them? Paris revival.

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If you're REALLY picky about the cast, then I'd go with 10th Anniversary. But I don't think CSR has terrible cast at all! I enjoy it for what it is.

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I'd go for the CSR. Though I'm not really impressed with any of the English langauge recordings.

I agree about the Paris revival album. Perfection.

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10th Anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

If you're looking for an almost great cast (*cough cough-Michael Maguire-cough cough*), go with the 10th anniversary. For a complete version of the show as of 1988, go with the CSR.

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Of the seventeen or so Les Mis recordings I have, I'd still say the 10th Anniversary Cast is the recording to go for if its your first Les Mis recording. I have never heard an "I Dreamed a Dream" done as well as Ruthie Henshall did it at that concert. Even Michael Ball, who I don't particularly like in general, sounds good on it.

As for the CSR, while I do own it, I personally can't stand to listen to it. I feel like it sounds very tinny and (as LizzieCurry pointed out) the cast feels as if they have no connection with one another- which I believe comes across when listening to it.

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French Concept Album
Original London Cast
Original Broadway Cast
Complete Symphonic Recording
1987 Israeli Cast
1988 Hungarian Cast
1988 Vienne Cast
1990 Swedish Cast
1991 Paris Revival Cast
1991 Dutch Cast
1992 Czech Cast
1992 Danish Cast
1992 Manchester Cast Highlights
1993 Korean Cast
1993 Madrid Cast
*1994 "Red" Japanese Cast
*1994 "Blue" Japanese Cast
*10th Anniversary Cast
1996 Duisberg Cast
1996 Swedish Cast
1998 Belgian Cast
*2003 "Light Blue" Japanese Cast
*2003 "Violet" Japanese Cast
*2003 "Green" Japanese Cast
*2003 "Orange" Japanese Cast
*2004 Czech Cast

ones marked with * are recorded live


There are other studio recordings, etc, but I think those are the 26. I only have 22, so I'm not sure exactly, however.

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Updated On: 8/11/07 at 10:28 AM

I am in love with my CSR. I love the cast, especially Eponine. She is my favorite part. Her voice is so pretty and just leaks so much emotion without even seeing her acting. I also love the OBCR. The quality is really good. IMO Frances as Eponine is sometimes unbearable though. The 10th Anniversary isn't my favorite, but many people seem to love it.

Thanks for all of the input, guys.
I think I'll start off with the TAC, and eventually get the CSR.
The idea that the cast sounded a little sterile on the CSR clinched it for me.

Thanks again!

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You can listen to some of the songs from CSR on the official website

http://lesmis.com/pages/sights_sounds/music.htm

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Kaho Shimada didn't even know English when she recorded Eponine! How awesome is that?

And half the Duisburg cast didn't know German, but in that case, it wasn't such a good thing.

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In different studios all over the world. In other words, many cast members had never met and were often recording their lines either with no one to play off of, or with just a recording of their co-star. Plus, much of the ensemble was made up of principals from the Los Angeles cast, who, IMO, were miscast.

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