Pacific Overtures Revival Cast Recording

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 1:39am

Is there going to be one?

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 1:46am

Probably not. There's been no mention of one as of yet, and PACIFIC OVERTURES already has two (and a half) recordings. While Sondheim seems to be aligned with Nonesuch since RCA's show tune division went kaplooey, Nonesuch didn't record the ASSASSINS revival -- PS Classics did. Nonesuch did record the INTO THE WOODS revival, but I suspect it was their poorest Sondheim seller ever, which is why they turned down the ASSASSINS revival. Also, the ASSASSINS revival was a huge critical success, and the PACIFIC OVERTURES revival was not. I think that if the new PO were going to be recorded, there would have been some mention of it by now. Updated On: 12/31/04 at 01:46 AM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 1:50am

such a shame. the logo is so pretty. and why can't we buy the frogs CD early through the PSClassics website like Fiddler and Assassins...? evil. Updated On: 12/31/04 at 01:50 AM

[Tirso de Molina]

Posted: 1/1/05 at 12:41pm

I still have hopes that PS Classics might do one -- if you look at their catalogue, they do LOTS of "connoisseur" recordings that they clearly don't anticipate getting rich from (LaChiusa's First Lady Suite?! well worth preserving, but it's never going to be a best-seller). Hopefully they'll decide that this updated Overtures is worth investing in!

[paradox_error]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 12:17am

I certainly hope so. This is one of my favourite scores, and I love the OBCR and would love to hear a new take on it.
I love to have multiple recordings of a show and compare them. There is always at least one number that is better in the lesser version, so then I mix and match when I listen.

Eg Assassins - Original Ballad of Booth is better than revival, revival Unworthy of your Love is better than the original (although no one can top Annie Golden) simply because Gemignani as Hinkley stays in tune.

[Chip1012]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 12:21am

paradox- what do you think of the English National Opera recording? I really enjoy it.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 12:28am

I haven't heard it unfortunately.

It took me enough effort to get the OBCR. Sondheim musicals don't sell very well in Australia, so you either have to go searching, or import.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 5:24pm

oh god please please please please say there will be a recording!! i don't really think the OBC does justice to the show!!!

[Plum]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 5:35pm

You really think so, Caroline-Q? Why so?

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 5:48pm

i don't really like the cast that much. I think the person playing the Reciter is really amazing but the rest of the cast is sorta... ok. Plus, i don't think the orchestrations (sp?) are all that great and the version of Please Hello sounds pretty lack luster. Though i think the rendition of Is There No Other Way is just gorgeous!! oh yeah, and i like the broadway orchestrations better... but yeah...

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 5:52pm

I adore the OBC, but I don't like the English National Opera recording, even though it's more complete.

In case anyone didn't see it, the DVD of the PBS Broadway! show has a great clip of a young Frank Rich interviewing Sondheim in 1975 at his apartment in Turtle Bay, and the original cast sings "Someone In a Tree" with Sondheim at the Piano. It's fascinating stuff.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 5:56pm

yeah, i saw that. Wow. that's cool stuff