"Sound of Music" pure genius
05/09/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This recording of the Sound of Music is the best that I have ever heard. I was fortunate enough to play the role of Friedrich von Trapp in the Australian production and am featured on this live recording. However I still honestly believe that this is the best Australian version you will ever get."
Classic Musical Survives Lackluster Recording
Greg Gibson | Kingston, Ontario, Canada | 05/18/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As a musical theatre performer and addict, I must say I was excited by the idea of a "live" recording of my favorite musical, "The Sound of Music". The anticipation grew upon realizing it was the same revival production that graced the Broadway stage two years ago -- orchestrations and all. Where Rebecca Luker's (one of the great performers on Broadway today) performance, though wonderful, suffered on the cast recording because we were unable to fully appreciate her performance of Maria, the live recording allowed for much more opportunity for the acting aspect of the role to shine through. Lisa McCune does her best Julie Andrews impression, shining vocally in a role difficult not to associate with the film star. You can hear in her voice the sheer energy and "girlishness" needed for the part, and it shows as well in the children whenever they're together. Her counterpart, John Waters, plays Captain von Trapp with great poise and melancholy, making it difficult for the audience to dislike him (although most people already know his true motivation throughout the play). His rendition of "Edelweiss" is simply beautiful. The supporting roles are also wonderfully played. Max, Elsa, Leisl, Rolf (whom Tim Draxl plays perfectly as the young lover), the children, and the nuns are all wonderfully sung -- a difficult feat for a difficult score. The only weakness is that of the Mother Abbess, whose voice sounds too old (is that possible) and too shaky for the part. It's hard not to be distracted by this when "Climb Every Mountain", the big Act I closer, is butchered. Perhaps the biggest disappointment is with the recording itself. I understand it is a live recording, but that's the point... Shouldn't part of the joy of this recording be the sound of the applause? While it's there, it sounds like about 75 unenthusiastic patrons are clapping on cue... Better miking of the audience would have inspired much of the applause often heard on other live recordings.... The kind that gives you goosebumps. As well, there is an odd balance between orchestra and voices... It seems very voice heavy, where the orchestra falls into the background. The orchestra, for this score anyway, is just as important in the performance of the classic songs as the voices. I would have appreciate a stronger sound from the orchestra side, if only to compensate for the lack of sufficient audience response. When you hear this recording, you will appreciate the performances and reminisce back to the first time you saw the movie... That's what happened to me. But you'll also have this weird sense that "something was missing"... Perhaps it's the "live" part of the "Live Australian Cast Recording.""
Track Listings (21) - Disc #1