Search - Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick, Topol :: Fiddler on the Roof (1967 Original London Cast)

Now I Have Everything...

S. Lehne | 10/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What is it about Fiddler on the Roof that makes it such an enduring and breathtaking masterpiece? Is it the charming and very unusual plot line coupled with the delightful music and the moving lyrics, or is it something more?...What FOTR really is is a character musical; every archetypical jewish and Russian figure is embodied in this piece. It is impossible not to love and laugh over delightful figures like Tevye, Golde, Yente, Motel...i could go on and on. It is this endearing quality that has made FOTR the timeless classic that it is...other musicals are breathtaking or touching or hilarious...this musical is all of those things and much more. While I would not go as far as to say that it is my favorite musical, I cannot deny it the credit it undoubtedly deserves. For those who have never seen it performed,I heartily reccomend the excellent film, for those who have and who want to bring the music into their homes, this is the recording for you. By all means buy the broadway recording as well but do not overlook this one which is in my opinion infinetly superior. Zero Mostel was certainly an extremely talented performer, (A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum testifies to the fact) but he does not have that utterly perfect Israeli/Yiddish flair which Topol brings to the role. Also, the extracts that i have heard from the broadway recording are slow; they do not capture the intensity of the piece as well as this one does, and several members of the cast simply cannot do justice to the songs in the way that the London cast members can. Topol's If I Were A Rich Man and his duet with Lazar Wolf(Paul Whitsun-Jones) To Life! cannot be beaten and the full company songs (Tradition, Tevye's Dream, Sunrise, Sunset amd Anatevka) are equally brilliant. The younger cast members occasionally have trouble with their songs but they still provide sweeter more vibrant moments to those on the Broadway recoding. Miracle of Miracles and Far from the Home I love are especially good. Even if i have not been able to convince you that this CD is your best option, buy one recording of the score at least; I am certain that you will not regret it."

Miracle of Miracles!

D. Larue | 01/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This music is to die for! I love to hear these songs and to be able to sing with the music. This CD is definitely a miricle of miracles!"