The Best of All Possible Recordings
The Best of All Possible Recordings
#1The Best of All Possible Recordings
Posted: 12/3/06 at 4:56pm
Does anyone have the 1989 recording of Candide? I noticed it was the most complete one and I'm thinking of picking it up. 
I don't have any recordings of the show, so I was wondering, which is the best in your opinion?
You're reminding me of people you hear at the movies asking questions every ten seconds, "Who is that? Why is that guy walking down the street? Who's that lady coming up to him? Uh-oh, why did that car go by? Why is it so dark in this theater?" - FindingNamo on strummergirl
"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor
"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl
"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott
"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor
"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl
"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott
#1re: The Best of All Possible Recordings
Posted: 12/3/06 at 4:57pm
i just found this, http://www.geocities.com/bernsteincandide/recordings.html
but I'd still like some of your opinions
You're reminding me of people you hear at the movies asking questions every ten seconds, "Who is that? Why is that guy walking down the street? Who's that lady coming up to him? Uh-oh, why did that car go by? Why is it so dark in this theater?" - FindingNamo on strummergirl
"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor
"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl
"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott
"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor
"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl
"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott
#2re: The Best of All Possible Recordings
Posted: 12/3/06 at 5:14pm
I'd say get it for the authenticity of it, as it was conducted by Bernstein.
But you have to get the original cast album, because it may be the best recording of the overture, ever.
And, there never has been and never will be a better recording of "Glitter and Be Gay" than Barbara Cook's.
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#3re: The Best of All Possible Recordings
Posted: 12/3/06 at 6:05pm
It's the slowest of all possible recordings, actually.
As someone pointed out, it is the most complete, and it's nice to have a Bernstein-conducted recording. But for me, it's so heavy and leaden that it conveys none of the joy or life of "Candide". In trying to to be so complete and so "classical", it comes off as way overblown, and as I said, the tempi are excruciatingly slow.
I see it as an older man's reflection on his younger work moreso than an "authentic" recording of the piece. It's also probably my least favorite "Candide", save for the '70s revival which I think is musically so far off the mark I really don't see the point. Lots of other people disagree with me on that one, though.
It's still never been better than the OBC, though I do happen to like the Erie Mills '82 City Opera recording best of all the "classical" ones. I haven't heard the Scottish Opera recording, but I've heard it's very good. It's only a highlights recording, but it was the production that led to the Bernstein-conducted recording and has some of the (then) newly-restored music.
#4re: The Best of All Possible Recordings
Posted: 12/3/06 at 7:00pmI enjoy Lonnie Price's concert adaptation the best. It has all of my favorite numbers from the show and keeps the tone light. It's a shame that a CD was not released of that cast, but there is, of course, the DVD which is wonderful. You just can't listen to it in the car...
#5re: The Best of All Possible Recordings
Posted: 12/3/06 at 7:12pm
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
Updated On: 12/3/06 at 07:12 PM
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
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