Passion Score - What Do You Think?

I orderd the Passion score off Amazon.com the other day and it finally arrived in the mail. (Seriously, look into the used Amazon.com CDs, I got Passion for like $3.00). Anyways, since I was driving home that afternoon (a 2hr trip), I thought I'd listen to it. And I must say, I really liked it. The story was engaging and the music was beautiful. I really liked the story. I would love to know how the show was live? Was Fosca's entrance as captivating as I would imagine it is?

After listening to several Sondheim scores, I think I much prefer his more serious works to his lighter fare. Although, I am rather fond of bits and pieces of Into the Woods and I really adore the Saturday Night score. I wish that show was produced more frequently so I could see it staged.

(On a side note: The booklet for the CD is so great. The synopsis is done through pictures as well as words. It's really cool.)

It's probably the most musically sophisticated score to hit Broadway since CANDIDE. Just sublime, though the story can be a bitter pill to swallow for some.

TT

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Passion is my favorite musical, as well! I find the score so rich and intricate and the lyrics are so moving. I could go on and on for days about Passion, but I'll spare you.

I had the pleasure of seeing it live during its run. To answer your question about Fosca's entrance, the entrance loses something on the DVD version, but if you ever have the chance to see it live, it is so captivating and intense. Phew. It's incredible. One of those theatrical moments that emblazes itself in your memory.

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Mattbrain - didn't even know about this production/concert.

Passion was the first Sondheim musical I went to see on Broadway. Initially walking out of the theatre it didn't really wow me, but months later, it truly haunted me, and it's score really grew in appreciation. Truly a beautifully moving score.

As much as I loved Maria Friedman and Michael Ball in WIW (and loved WIW as well) the London recording of Passion isn't even in the same league as the Broadway cast recording. That being said, The LuPone Passion at Lincoln Center was to me absolutely dreadful.

Don't know if that's because Donna Murphy set the bar so high but I've yet to hear or see any performace of Passion that's been better...

Jim

You can actually buy the DVD of the performance. It's amazing. I think I got it form Amazon or Overstock.com, I forget but I got it about two months ago. You'll love it. Donna Murphy's performance is really moving.

i also love the concert. it was performed a little over a year ago with Audra, Michael Cerveris, and patti lupone. def. worth a visit.

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It is def. a score that has to be listened to all the way through on first listen. Usually I split up listens and listen to a couple songs each day, but that's why I like long trips because I can listen to the whole thing as it was meant to be heard. I will def. get the DVD. Cannot wait to see it.

I too adore the score and show itself. I have to admit though that it took some getting used to for myself. I bought the sondheim DVD collection and for a couple months, it was the show that I had the hardest time adjusting to. I couldn't grasp the score at first but after repeated viewings I grew to really appreciate it and it has become one of my favorite shows. Donna, Marin and Jere are remarkable. Just beautiful performances and a trully terific score.

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I prefer the OLC recording

fav line has to be

"and if I should die tomorrow or live and forced to go"

I'm not going to lie, the first time I saw it i loathed it with a burning passion (ha! no pun intended). Donna Murphey scared the sh*t out of me and i just did not like the music. so i lent the dvd to my friend and found myself singing some of the letter songs in my head. I just recently got it back and I am in love with the whole opening scene. I love the song Happiness and the letters. The music is so much more appealing now. I guess it just grew on me.

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Well, aren't we a bit haughty, Jazzy!

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PASSION is one of those special scores where the more you listen the more you fall in lve with it. Tghe line in the finale that always gets me is "Why is love so easy to give and so hard to receive?"

The commentary track on the DVD is fascinating!

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I saw a video of the performance @ LC & fell in love with it instantly. The music is incredible from the opening drums to the very end.