Question about Les Miserables Cast Recordings...- Page 3

[Steph_DeVo]

Posted: 9/10/06 at 5:56pm

I know this is all old news for the original purchaser...BUT I will put in my two cents worth. I completely and totally recommend the 10th Anniversary recording. I have heard all of them, and have seen the show multiple times around the world and this is by far the best recording....and the DVD is fantastic. For a complete experience, definitely own the CSR.

[JamesMacon]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 5:19pm

Any new info on whether or not they will make a new Les Mis cast recording?

[StarStruckGB]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 8:22pm

It doesn't look like it's in the works (yet) or anything.

I so hope they do though, but it's only got a shot if it gets booked past 6 months.

p.s.
(If you know me you know what I'm gonna ask)

Gary Beach,
Does he do the part of Thenardier on the Complete Symphonic Recording?
Because a somewhat unreliable source said he was in the chorus for that, psh.
And, did they ever make a National Tour recording? That's when he played the part in 1988.

Updated On: 11/15/06 at 08:22 PM

[ashbash1990]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 8:27pm

LONDON!!! the overall cast is better... The Broadway Marius really bothers me, and terrance man (broadway Javert) was miscast...

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 11:16pm

Does he do the part of Thenardier on the Complete Symphonic Recording?

No.

Read the cast list.

[Weez]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 5:06am

He was Brujon actually. And chorus. ^_^

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 8:09am

Actually, he was Montparnesse. Not Brujon. You can hear him on the now-cut opening to "Attack on Rue Plumet."

To answer your other questions, there was never a recording made of the National Touring Cast. Plus according to the original CSR liner notes, Gary Beach played Thenarider in the Los Angeles production. On the CSR Thenardier is played by Barry James (my favorite, although he was pretty much phoning it in when I saw him in the role in April).

Updated On: 11/16/06 at 08:09 AM

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 11:42am

When it comes to recording preferences, the casts are always a matter of personal taste. That said, the one comment I'd make about the TAC is that the orchestra (to my ear) sounds muddy and sloppy -- probably due to its larger size. There are elements of the orchestrations that get lost on the TAC, mainly the fast string sections of At the End of the Day and One Day More.
Updated On: 11/16/06 at 11:42 AM

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 11:44am

I've also noticed that the mix is off at the end of "One Day More." Michael Ball comes through much more strongly than anyone else, which is very jarring. Plus the applause is so loud at the end of numbers that it literally makes you jump.

[msls777]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 1:20pm

Just to give you another perspective on Les Mis cast recordings, composer Claude-Michel Schönberg has said that (in his opinion) the best recording of Les Miserables is without a doubt, the Tenth Anniversary Concert recording.

I personally value Lea's Eponine above Frances and Kaho... I know it's all about taste. I feel this is one of the major differences between recordings. And while Anthony Warlow is great as Enjolras on the CSR, I think Michael Maguire is pretty awesome as well. That said, Colm Wilkinson, Phillip Quast, Michael Ball, Ruthie Henshall, Judy Kuhn, Alun Armstrong, and Jenny Galloway are all great.

Posted: 11/16/06 at 2:06pm

OLC. The new English people but M Magurie are awful. Or the 10th Anniversary!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 2:11pm

"The new English people"

What?

[Colle]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 3:26pm

So the cast list in the CSR is wrong and Gary Beach was the one who played Montparnesse? If so, he does have a strong voice in that role. If Gary and Kaho were doing that scene on stage, I would imagine that he is much taller and stronger than Kaho. From the pictures I have seen of Kaho, she seems on the small side.

[StarStruckGB]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 3:27pm

Thanks for the answer Weez (finally).

=D

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 3:42pm

Gary Beach is mentioned in the liner notes as playing Brujon. (I assume you went the less-than-legal way of obtaining this? Or through iTunes?)

Link goes to a complete cast list of the CSR, including which production the performers came from.

http://www.lesmis.wz.cz/nahravky.htm

Updated On: 11/16/06 at 03:42 PM

[javertim]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 3:45pm

I'm listening to the CSR right now ... Gary Beach is NOT Montparnasse. No way. He is Brujon, no doubt about it.

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 3:51pm

All in all, i prefer the 10th Anniversary Recording of Les Miserables. The chorus, orchestration, and, obviously, the leads are incredible! Lea Salonga is my favorite Eponine (Although that might change when i see the revival cast on Saturday night!)

I wish there was some possible way to get the revival cast to record a cast album. I mean, i do realize that its not up to the cast members, but i would just love you hear them all on a recording... its just an amazing, all-star cast! How could the producers or whoever the decision is up to pass up recording such an extremely talented group of people?!

[StarStruckGB]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 4:07pm

To everyone answering my question:

No it was not illegal Lizzy,
Haha, I just heard he was on the CSR and I just assumed he would be Thenardier, but I really wasn't sure.


And I'm still dying for a revival cast recording, RIGHT NOW.
And then I guess it stands that unless they make one, there will be no recording of him as Thenardier,
we need some more illegal videos I guess kids, haha.
(I'm actually surprised I haven't seen any floating around, I figured people would have resulted to stealing by now.)
The new cast is superb as far as I stand.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 5:12pm

I swear to God, I remember reading something in the booklet that came along with the original CSR release that it says something along the lines of "Gary Beach left behind his hilarious Thenardier to take on the role of the vilianous Montparnesse."

Time to go hunting when I get home.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 5:19pm

It's in there. I remember it too (although my booklet has long disappeared). It's a quote from Nunn or Caird, I'm very sure.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 5:33pm

Always good to know I'm not going crazy

[javertim]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 6:07pm

There may be a quote that says Beach plays Montparnasse on the CSR, but he most certainly does not. He has a VERY distinctive voice (I'm sure no one can argue with that). The guy who sings "This house, we're gonna do it ... " (Montparnasse) sounds NOTHING like Gary. But listen to the guy who sings "What do I care who you should rob ... " (Brujon). Sounds exactly like Gary. And that's because it IS Gary. No doubt about it.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 11/16/06 at 8:08pm

*shrug* I always thought the part where he sings "Got a number on his chest, perhaps a fortune put away" sounded a LOT like Gary. Either way, he's on the recording. That should be enough for StarStruck, I would think.

[Colle]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 7:14am

About a revival cast recording, the only things I can think of what we can do to help is start a petition drive, or write letters or e-mail the CamMac company. I know the e-mail address is [e-mail]. Right now, I think the only way we will get one is if they think there is a high enough demand.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 11/17/06 at 8:50am

Kitz - You like Barry James!?

For so long I thought I was the only one. Good!