Search - Charles Strouse (Composer), Sarah Brightman (Performer) :: Nightingale: A New Musical - Original (1985) London Cast

For me, a Spiritual Experience

Paul B. Rucker | Minneapolis, MN United States | 01/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In spite of Andrew Lloyd Weber (whose music I do not care for-- "musical tantrums" I call it) and his PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, which brought Sarah Brightman to the public eye over ten years ago, it is possible I would not know today who Sarah is but for THE NIGHTINGALE, which my father gave me on LP the Christmas before he died. I must be honest -- my five-star rating is given on account of the LP, which left off some of the songs that I confess I find dopey and childish, and presented a shorter but much more emotionally emphatic experience. Strouse, the composer and libretticist, has modified the Anderson story so that the Maid in the tale becomes an adult who falls in love with the Emperor. As Strouse himself has explained, all of the major figures in the story are allegorical, and the Nightingale's song ("Who Are These People", etc.) represents Beauty-- the life force, cosmic joy. It is true that Sarah's voice is younger and less perfected but for me this lends it special charm-- it is often the flaws in beauty that give it warmth. In the fine tradition of English choral singing the entire production is flawless. If, as I do, you regard the human voice as the supreme instrument, you cannot fail to be charmed. Why do I call this a spiritual experience-- many reasons. For one, Strouse has re-configured the tale as a kind of parable of separation and unity-- the people begin by singing "Perfect Harmony"-- a song about the heirarchy of power. Through the alchemical transformation that occurs to the Emperor, and his anima figure, the Maid, through confronting Death and defeating it through the Nightingale's song, the people are unified in a great chorus at the end: "We are China". The confrontation with Death occurs in a four-part song ("Death Duet") that I actually played over my father's body just hours after he died-- I never had the chance to play this album for him. I also met Sarah in person briefly and told her about playing this song for him. Back in 1990 she sang in San Francisco (where I was then living) in a theater on the corner of my block! Imagine that! So I shelled out $50 to sit through a bunch of Lloyd Weber stuff just for the chance to meet her and have her sign my NIGHTINGALE LP. When she first saw it, she exclaimed, "Oh, that's a rarity!" and gave me a big unusual signature (the "a" in her surname on its side, etc.) To be honest, I think I overwhelmed her a bit with my enthusiasm but nevertheless I have followed her career ever since. I am more fond of the obscure music she does and not so much of pseudo-opera or generic show tunes. I also believe that her quest for vocal perfection has erased some of the warmth her voice used to have, which you can certainly hear on THE NIGHTINGALE. Who knows how long this might be available? My advice-- buy it."

Wonderful score, wonderful performances

Jeremie Petit | Nice, France | 04/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording rapidly became one of my prefered. I love all the performances, which are *all* fantastic. I love the score, which is very consistent, and nicely leads the listener from the beginning to the end. The music is sometimes sounding strangely but always right. I think Charles Strouse's Chinese music is very nice and very near from that 'perfect harmony' Chinese ideal. The tale itself is very pretty, and very well adapted to musical theatre."

Surprisingly Good

~Amante | Frederick, MD | 02/16/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Let me admit first, and foremost, when I started listening to this CD I didn't think I would like it. It didn't seem catchy, or engaging enough to make me like it, but about halfway through, though I started to really enjoy it. The songs were actually interesting, the tunes were pretty. This CD is a great one to have not only because you will enjoy listening to it, but because you get the whole story line of the musical from the score. Sometimes you buy a CD and haven't a clue what the show is about, but with this one you feel as if you are in the theater with your eyes closed. The music is not new, it isn't poppy or rockish; isn't Tim Rice or Phil Collins, but it is enjoyable for all audiences. I would suggest this one to just about everyone. If you're only into the new stuff (Wicked and the likes) maybe you can skip this one, but everyone else needs it. Favorite song: "Rivers Cannot Flow Upwards.""