"Charming, intelligent, and sophisticated ... tuneful and lyrical." -- Chicago Sun Times "Talented fellows Dan Levine and Peter Kellogg not only dug the essence out of Tolstoy's masterpiece but have strung it together wi... more »th wit, color, and coherence." -- New York Post "Beguiling music! Anna Karenina does justice to Tolstoy." -- Newhouse Newspapers "Heartbreaking and hilarious ... sensuous and sweet." -- Pioneer Press "Broadway is lucky to be illuminated by the distinctive glow of Melissa Errico." -- New York Times "Errico displays a giddy exhilaration too rarely seen onstage." -- USA Today "The mastery of [Errico's] performance comes in the way she's able to keep two powerful emotions in play at once, whether in speech or song." -- San Francisco Chronicle * New orchestration by the composer! * Full forty-eight-piece orchestra includes strings from the New York Philharmonic. * An all-star Broadway cast includes Tony Award nominees Melissa Errico, Brian D'Arcy James, and Jeff McCarthy, as well as Drama Desk nominee Kerry Butler and Tony Award nominee Gregg Edelman.« less
"Charming, intelligent, and sophisticated ... tuneful and lyrical." -- Chicago Sun Times "Talented fellows Dan Levine and Peter Kellogg not only dug the essence out of Tolstoy's masterpiece but have strung it together with wit, color, and coherence." -- New York Post "Beguiling music! Anna Karenina does justice to Tolstoy." -- Newhouse Newspapers "Heartbreaking and hilarious ... sensuous and sweet." -- Pioneer Press "Broadway is lucky to be illuminated by the distinctive glow of Melissa Errico." -- New York Times "Errico displays a giddy exhilaration too rarely seen onstage." -- USA Today "The mastery of [Errico's] performance comes in the way she's able to keep two powerful emotions in play at once, whether in speech or song." -- San Francisco Chronicle * New orchestration by the composer! * Full forty-eight-piece orchestra includes strings from the New York Philharmonic. * An all-star Broadway cast includes Tony Award nominees Melissa Errico, Brian D'Arcy James, and Jeff McCarthy, as well as Drama Desk nominee Kerry Butler and Tony Award nominee Gregg Edelman.
CD Reviews
Such a Gem !
Musicals Dave | England UK | 08/31/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a great, great pity this wonderful musical only ran for 46 performances in 1992 after being ravaged by the so-caled critics. It has some absolutely wonderful music, A superb duet, track 18, I've listened to it so many times. The whole cd is just wonderful with a slightly updated score from the composer, great orchestration not to mention the top class singing performances. You may need to hear the cd a couple of times to really appreciate its magic - taking you to a different world. Pick a nice evening, sit down in your conservatory, surround yourself with candles, a good bottle of red, turn the volume up and just enjoy.
"
Just Wonderful!
Emily Nickoloff | 09/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this simply because it is based on one of my favorite novels. Really, I fully expected to ridicule the plot, as I cannot see how you can possibly get a 800 page book down to a little over twenty songs.
Imagine my surprise when I wound up just loving it.
It stays surprisingly accurate to the novel, as far as it can, at least. It cuts out several portions, and the end after Anna's death is gone. Still, it is not terrible, and is certainly listenable for a fan of the novel.
As for music...this is just beautiful. The score, the performers, they are all perfect. The melodies are haunting at times, although there are those that are a bit lighter. Melissa Errico is superb as the title character; her voice is perfect for the songs.
This is definitely a musical that all should look at. You will not be disappointed."
Anna Karenina SOARS!!!!
Steve S. | Chicago, IL | 09/23/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A beautiful, soaring score with voices to match. The combination of serious, haunting and humorous songs make the show come alive in my mind as I'm listening. It's a must have for Broadway music lovers."
Tolstoy's great heroine sings
Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 02/12/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This recording recreates the ill-fated 1992 Broadway musical version of ANNA KARENINA. Based on the classic novel by Tolstoy with a score by Dan Levine and Peter Kellogg, the show played a run at Circle-in-the-Square (where it received Tony Award nominations for it's book and score), then faded into the void after only 46 performances. On this brand-new recording, we can once again hear the amazing score.
The story of Anna Karenina, who walks away from her marriage to have an affair with dashing Captain Vronsky, has been the subject of many movie and television adaptations (including versions starring Greta Garbo, Vivien Leigh, Nicola Pagett, Jacqueline Bissett and Sophie Marceau); but the story also easily lends itself to the principles of musical theatre, where these kinds of tragic, Fate-thwarted romances are commonplace.
Ann Crumb and Scott Wentworth originated the roles of Anna and Vronsky on Broadway. For this new recording, the roles are filled by the talented Melissa Errico and Brian d'Arcy James. Both hugely talented Tony-nominated stars in their own right, Ms Errico and Mr James bring lots of passion and emotion to their respective roles. Ms Errico originally played Kitty (and understudied Ms Crumb) in the Broadway production, and it's fun having her "graduated" to Anna on this album.
The score of Kellogg and Levine's ANNA KARENINA has a true pre-Revolution Russia flavour (especially in numbers like "I Shall Work", "Journey to Moscow", and the dreamy "We Were Dancing"); the orchestra for the most part is quite understated and minimalist; a true chamber piece.
Brian d'Arcy James and Melissa Errico sparkle with the main love theme, "Waiting for You". Melissa Errico's haunting voice later tears through "I'm Lost" and "Seryozha" with all the pain of a woman who has given up her entire life to be with a man she'll later be torn from.
The talented cast of Broadway vets assembled for this album also includes Kerry Butler, Gregg Edelman (recreating his original role of Levin), Jeff McCarthy and Marc Kudisch. Definitely one for the top shelf of your cast album collection."
A Superior Broadway Score
D. Schweikert | 01/16/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This cast recording is superior to most I have listened to in the last several years. What a joy it is to hear it over and over again. The lyrics are inventive and the score is truly amazing. The voices are wonderful and the cast will be familiar to many broadway theatre goers. Its nice to hear a full orchestra instead of the skimpy orchestrations used on many studio or concept cast recording. The opening "Journey to Moscow" has a wonderful way of setting up all the actors and their situations. The love songs are stirring. I never saw the show, so I cannot comment on the book, but some shows work best on their recordings and not in the theatre. This might be one of those shows. What a gem!"
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1