Product Description
Leonard Bernstein's Candide was inexplicably a Broadway flop when it first opened in 1956. Widly recongnised now as a work of genius, the show has been tinkered with countless times over the years and (maybe because of that) it still has never quite achieved the greatness it deserves. From the Overture onwards this is one of the greatest, most thrilling shows ever written and the original 1956 cast album (the first Broadway show recording in stereo) has been regularly reissued.
Based on the play by Voltaire, the show starred Robert Rounseville (Mr Snow in the film of Carousel) as Candide, with Irra Petina as the Old Woman with One Buttock and Max Adrian as Dr Pangloss. Barbara Cook stars as the young ingénue, Cunegonde.
The glorious score, by Leonard Bernstein with original lyrics by Richard Wilbur, John LaTouche and Dorothy Parker, is superb. The musical is best known for the devilish 'jewel song', Glitter and Be Gay, sung by the clarion soprano of Barbara Cook, who infuses it with all the vocal pyrotechnics that it calls for. I Am Easily Assimilated is hilarious as performed by Irra Petina, whilst Rounseville's beautiful tenor is showcased in It Must Be So. As a bonus there is the majestic Overture as performed by the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Leonard Bernstein himself as well as brand-new liner notes including an essay from Barbara Cook. Whichever later version you favour, this recording is a must have for any serious collector.
Based on the play by Voltaire, the show starred Robert Rounseville (Mr Snow in the film of Carousel) as Candide, with Irra Petina as the Old Woman with One Buttock and Max Adrian as Dr Pangloss. Barbara Cook stars as the young ingénue, Cunegonde.
The glorious score, by Leonard Bernstein with original lyrics by Richard Wilbur, John LaTouche and Dorothy Parker, is superb. The musical is best known for the devilish 'jewel song', Glitter and Be Gay, sung by the clarion soprano of Barbara Cook, who infuses it with all the vocal pyrotechnics that it calls for. I Am Easily Assimilated is hilarious as performed by Irra Petina, whilst Rounseville's beautiful tenor is showcased in It Must Be So. As a bonus there is the majestic Overture as performed by the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Leonard Bernstein himself as well as brand-new liner notes including an essay from Barbara Cook. Whichever later version you favour, this recording is a must have for any serious collector.
Tracklisting
1. Overture 4:06
2. The Best Of All Possible Worlds 3:23
3. Oh, Happy We 1:51
4. It Must Be So 1:51
5. Paris Waltz 1:39
6. Glitter And Be Gay 5:44
7. You Were Dead, You Know 2:29
8. My Love 2:04
9. I'm Easily Assimilated 3:31
10. Finale Act 1 (Quartet) 2:46
11. Quiet 3:49
12. Eldorado 3:15
13. Bon Voyage 2:36
14. What's The Use? 3:41
15. Venice Gavotte 3:56
16. Make Our Garden Grow 4:18
17. Overture To "Candide" (Alternate Version) 4:13
2. The Best Of All Possible Worlds 3:23
3. Oh, Happy We 1:51
4. It Must Be So 1:51
5. Paris Waltz 1:39
6. Glitter And Be Gay 5:44
7. You Were Dead, You Know 2:29
8. My Love 2:04
9. I'm Easily Assimilated 3:31
10. Finale Act 1 (Quartet) 2:46
11. Quiet 3:49
12. Eldorado 3:15
13. Bon Voyage 2:36
14. What's The Use? 3:41
15. Venice Gavotte 3:56
16. Make Our Garden Grow 4:18
17. Overture To "Candide" (Alternate Version) 4:13
