Search - Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Connie Fisher :: The Sound of Music (2006 London Palladium Revival Cast)

The hills are alive...again!

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 03/27/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Here is the cast album for the 2006 London Palladium production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. It features the radiant young Connie Fisher in the leading role of Maria. Ms Fisher famously won the role in the British reality TV programme "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?", where several unknowns competed for audience votes, in order to gain the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic (based on the memoirs of Maria Augusta von Trapp).



Connie Fisher proves to be a fine choice for Maria. She perfectly embodies all the youthful zest of the postulant-turned-governess. Her singing is energetic and uncomplicated, yet she manages to convey so much within the material. In particular her "I Have Confidence" and "Do-Re-Mi" are very appealing. She convincingly makes the emotional journey from naive young girl to confident wife and stepmother.



Alexander Hanson is a solid presence as Captain Georg von Trapp. He was a late replacement for Simon Shepherd (after producers felt his performance was lacking); and delivers much more than a cardboard cut-out portrayal of a stern martinet widower. His "Edelweiss" is quite affecting. Playing the role of the world-weary Baroness, Lauren Ward brings some cheeky comedy to "How Can Love Survive?", and has some more time to shine with "No Way to Stop It" (an insightful number where we see how much Georg differs in attitude from his passive countrymen).



Opera great Lesley Garrett is sublime as the Mother Abbess, with her commanding reading of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" certainly one of the major highlights for this disc. She also has fun dueting with Connie Fisher in "My Favourite Things" (a lot of people still forget that in the stage version, this is a duet for Maria and the Mother Abbess). Playing Liesl, the eldest of the von Trapp brood, Sophie Bould manages to distinguish herself with a charming "Sixteen Going on Seventeen".



The overall quality of this album is fantastic, and this version includes some instrumental pieces ("The Grand Waltz", and the Entr'acte), that were not featured on earlier recordings of the score. This is most probably the most complete edition of this score to date.



This was the final collaboration between Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, after Hammerstein succumbed to cancer shortly after the show opened on Broadway in 1959. While Mary Martin was the original Maria onstage, most people instantly think of Julie Andrews as the quintessential Maria because of the hugely-popular 1965 movie version. Connie Fisher gamely steps past these hallowed theatre greats to become a fresh, new Maria with lots of charm and appeal. This new SOUND OF MUSIC is a real winner.



[Decca Broadway/Really Useful Records B0008514-02]"

An Amazing Revival for an Amazing Musical

G. Dodd | Woodburry TN | 03/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first heard that Andrew Lloyd Webber was redoing the Sound of Music. I just about fell out of my chair. The sound of music was the first musical I watched and it is truly a Childhood icon for me.

I want to first say that this recording is absolutely spectacular. The music is absolutly stunning. It feels like the orchestra is right there in front of you.



The songs you will see on the list may seem out of order, but this is how they originaly did it. Also, there are two "new" songs. These were actually cut from the orignal script when the movie was made. Also The infamous song THE SOUND OF MUSIC is in it's full version.



Finnally the singing. I love connie fisher as Maria. She nails the part, she is a different Maria then Julie Andrews, but in the song I HAVE CONFIDENCE is absolutely hilarious. Also she nails DO RE MI and in MY FAVORITE THINGS. Also the lady that plays the mother abyss does an amazing job in CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN. The kids are adorable. Unfortunely, some songs are missing, but that is ok.



The Best songs are



~THE SOUND OF MUSIC (really great!)

~MARIA (really funny)

~I HAVE CONFIDENCE (HILARIOUS!)

~DO RE MI (CRANK IT UP!!!)

~MY FAVORITE THINGS (CUTE!)

~THE LONELY GOATHERD (MY FAVORITE)

~CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN (REALLY SPECTACULAR)

~NO WAY TO STOP IT (FUNNY AND VERY SAD)

~CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN (REPRISE) (AMAZING)



I hope you buy this. It is a must for any person who loves music. Get it for your kids."

Good enough.

Good Stuff | 03/04/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's final effort seems to hit just about all the right notes, as it were. Recorded sound is fine and the singing of all the roles is at least adequate, the conducting and orchestral performance being somewhat more so.



Minor quibbles: I guess it has become fashionable, but why include the two somewhat anemic songs Mr. Rodgers added on his own to the film version of the show? They add nothing to the story, except to stop it dead. They were written for the film because the film's storyline was significantly (and correctly, in my opinion) altered from the original book, reducing much of the Max and Baroness parts, including their songs. This left room for a couple of new songs to be sung by Julie Andrews. Apparently, Producer/Director Robert Wise shrewdly knew exactly what he had in Miss Andrews. These two songs aren't awful, of course. After all, they were written by Richard Rodgers, although lyricist was never his strong suit. They just aren't part of the original fabric, if you will. Everything must come to a screeching stop so these two songs can be popped in.



On the plus side, I found just about everyone in the cast to be in good form. No real weaknesses. Some are even better than the others, like, of course, Connie Fisher, slightly light of voice but more than characterful enough to make up for it, and Alexander Hanson, who is refreshingly solid as the Captain and yet actually quite touching when called upon to sing. Well done.



However, one more itzy-bitzy little quibble if you don't mind: Someone should have taken Neil McDermott (Rolfe) aside and explained to him this wasn't another episode of "East Enders" and therefore could do without the quite noticeable British accent. Not being a Brit myself, I have no idea what region the accent represents (This isn't "My Fair Lady", you know). But, at least to my ears, it is jarring. However, I am sure he looked fine in the part, which I am also sure was a major consideration.



So, buy this CD if you want. You probably won't be sorry. But there are others you should certainly consider as well."