Vous voulez voir cette page en fran�ais ? Cliquez ici.

Have one to sell? Sell yours here

See larger image

Share your own customer images

Elegies: A Song Cycle [Import, Cast Recording]

Original Cast (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.

Product Details

Audio CD (Jun 24 2003)
Number of Discs: 1
Format: Import, Cast Recording
Label: Varese
ASIN: B00009V7TL

Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Product Description

From Amazon.com

William Finn's career in the musical theater is pretty remarkable considering that he doesn't write traditional show tunes--much less traditional shows. But Finn has a gift for catchy melodies and his emotionally engaging work has a way of intimately connecting with audiences (during the initial run of Elegies, hardened New Yorkers could be seen trying to hide their tears). Though no storyline links these songs, they are united by the underlining idea of loss; in turn funny, tender, witty, biting and quietly devastating, they form a unified tapestry. Musically, Finn can turn out perky little numbers and powerful ballads--"Anytime (I Am There)" could conceivably be a hit if some contemporary pop diva did it. Led by Betty Buckley and Carolee Carmello, the cast is completely in sync with the material. Some of the narrative-heavy pieces recall Michel Legrand's sung-through work (and there are Legrand-like flourishes on "Monica & Mark"), but in the end Finn is very much his own man: There's nobody quite like him in the American musical-theater world, and Elegies just brings more evidence of that. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Customer Reviews

3 star

4.4 out of 5 stars

Write a customer review

Most helpful customer reviews

Elegies: A Nasal Song Cycle July 7 2004

By Ghettoelf

Format:Audio CD

I love the pianist.

I was a fan of Finn's "A New Brain" (thanks, mostly, to it being Kristen Chenoweth's B'way debut) and was excited to purchase this album. However, I couldn't focus much on the music as all three of the male performers (who have the brunt of the music to sing) were incredibly nasal and very irritating to listen to. Most of the time I found myself skipping a track (aspecially "Mark and Monica" and "All Male Thanksgiving") because the performers' voices were soo obnoxious and nasal that I started getting a headache.

The only people I would recommend this album to are fans of the divine Carolee Carmello and Betty Buckley. Both are in excellent voice (although Carolee seems to have started pushing her voice since "Parade") and sing their songs with as much conviction as they have in all of their other works.

Except for the last song, I was not impressed by the material--what few rhymes there are are trite and commonplace, and Finn is even audacious enough to put praise forhimself in one of the lyrics. Sure he struck gold with "Falsettoland" and (well not so much) "A New Brain", but Finn's "Elegies" are less reminiscent of good times as they are whining about the unfairness of losing someone and how shocking everything is when someone you love is gone forever. Blah blah blah.

Mediocre at best.

Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

A Light Beyond Death Jan 3 2004

By Stewart

Format:Audio CD

I was initially concerned that an entire score about the passing of loved ones would be painful and dreary. And don't get me wrong, I like painful and dreary, but not for an entire cd. So I was greatly relieved when I listened to Elegies for the first time. I had already heard Anytime (I am There), Infinite Joy, and Turning on the Infinite Joy cd, so it's lovely to hear that the rest of the score lives up to those numbers, with the possible exception of the song about the dogs. The cast is vocally strong, and their passion comes through on the recording. Standouts are Keith Byron Kirk on "Mr Choi and Madame G", and with Carolee Carmello on "Goodbye", Betty Buckley on "14 Dwight Ave., Natick Massachussetts, Carolee on "Anytime" and "Passover", Michael Rupert on "Mark's All-Male Thanksgiving" and Christian Borle on "Turning". Overall, Elegies celebrates the lives of the departed with joy and light, and most importantly, the idea that life goes on.

Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

what more can i say...? Dec 3 2003

By philip_tiongson

Format:Audio CD

if i were to summarize the experience of listening to this CD, it would be in a very simple sentence - great. now that's such a hollow and meaningless word as a response to "how are you?'s" casually asked of acquaintances. but it is the truth - this CD is great.

it evoked a myriad of emotions ranging - the lightness of the song "My Dogs", the mysterious depth of "Infinite Joy", and the peek into the singer's and the composer's soul in "Anytime".

this is great for Fridays spent alone in one's apartment - it fills the air with music worthy of the label "music".

Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

› See all 14 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Write a customer review

Want to see more reviews on this item?

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 19 reviews

Most recent customer reviews

Only Downfall...Betty Buckley

I am a huge Finn fan and when I purchased this CD it was like purchasing an heirloom, something I will cherish. Each song is beautifully placed. Read more

Published on Oct 22 2003 by Lonnie Westeen

Amazing Revue