by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart, Emmy Rossum, Gerard Butler, Patrick Wilson, Richard Stilgoe List Price:$18.00 Our Price:$13.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Product Details
Media: Audio CD
Release Date: Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Label: Sony
Average Customer Review: 4 Based on 110 reviews.
Sales Rank: 187
Tracks
1.
Overture
2.
Phantom of the Opera
3.
Point of No Return
4.
Prima Donna
5.
Think of Me
6.
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
7.
Music of the Night
8.
Mirror (Angel of Music)
9.
Masquerade
10.
Learn to Be Lonely - Minnie Driver
11.
Learn to be Lonely
12.
Down Once More/Track Down This Murderer
13.
Angel of Music
14.
All I Ask of You (Reprise)
15.
All I Ask of You
Editorial Review
For better or worse, Andrew Lloyd Webber's adaptation of Gaston Leroux's gothic horror/romance novel has done for stage musicals what Spielberg's Jaws did for fish stories, with worldwide sales of its original cast album approaching 25 million. While director Joel Schumacher's film turns on his typically ambitious visual verve, its new film soundtrack recording has been paradoxically focused in scope, yet beefed up dynamically via the brawny presence of a hundred piece orchestra and The London Boys Choir. This single disc version showcases all of Phantom's key songs (a deluxe, double-disc edition is also available), with Gerard Butler imparting a welcome, youthful sensuality to his Phantom, making a fine foil for Emmy Rossum's ever-conflicted Christine. Original show orchestrator David Cullen has fashioned compelling new contemporary arrangements to frame Webber's songs -- which now conclude with the lilting, upbeat new ballad he wrote for the film, "Learn to Be Lonely," sung by Minnie Driver. --Jerry McCulley
Top Customer Reviews
Rating:
4 Response London Cast vs Movie Cast
I couldn't believe my eyes when i saw some of the things people were writing in regards to the comparison of the two casts. I do agree that Gerard Butler's voice was more appropriate for the role than Michael Crawford. I liked the untrained voice because where would the Phantom have gotten classical training anyways?? One thing I can never say however is that Emmy Rossum was in any magnitude as good as Sarah Brightman. For example, Emmy Rossum had trouble hitting all the high notes! Since this was pre recorded and not a live performance, I was expecting to hear a much better and stronger Christine. One thing I found though was that the supporting cast in both productions was excellent, especially both Steve Barton(Original Raoul) and Patrick Wilson(Movie Raoul). On the whole though, I'd say that both casts did a reasonably good job, but if you want to enjoy the music...just don't listen to both casts so that you won't have anything to compare!
Rating:
5 Phantom of the Opera: The film and its music.
Well, this was no Brightman and Crawford "miracle," as so many like to think of the play. Thank goodness!I read Gaston's book, and I have heard wonderful exerpts from the London original and, of course, the superb performances of Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford. I never had the chance to see the play, but am still a great fan of this wonderful work.Because I have never seen the play, I was "open" to this film, and couldn't wait to see it. I was not disappointed...I was simply mesmerized.From the dynamic Overture to the last rose on the gravestone, I was enthralled.That Ms Rossum was so young was, I think, quite a plus: Her pure, crystal-clear, beautiful voice and her lovely, young face were what was called for in the part of Christine...young, lovely, innocent, beguiled.As for Mr Butler: That his voice did not match Ms Rossum's or Mr. Wilson's in beauty, clarity, and talent, it made up for in passion, sensuality, and torment. He made us not only see, but hear his sadness, anger, lonliness and love for Catherine.Mr. Wilson, of course, is a real voice talent, and was wonderful as Rauol...protective, well-bred, and loving of Catherine, all beautifully conveyed by his lovely voice.All in all, I loved this film. The photography, the musical orchestrations, the costumes, the lush sounds, the wonderful cast...everything...including, at the end, Minnie Driver's rendition of Learn to be Lonely. Nice voice.See it and judge for yourselves. Just don't come with the "chip" of THE PLAY "on your shoulders."
Rating:
5 PHANTOM ROCKS
Yes, I'm a twelve year old who is obsessed with Phantom of the Opera. The music is so beautiful, and mysterious! I like both the Broadway/London cast recording, but if you want a slightly more modern version, I'd go for the movie recording, but the OBC cast is great, too! Comparing them is hard, and in my opinion, it's 50/50. They have their good points and their bad points. If it was me, I'd buy both!
