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Music : Myths And Hymns (1998 Off-Broadway Cast, Originally Saturn Returns)
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Myths And Hymns (1998 Off-Broadway Cast, Originally Saturn Returns) by: Adam Guettel, Todd Ellison, Audra McDonald, Darius de Haas |
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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0075597953022 Format: Cast Recording Label: Nonesuch Manufacturer: Nonesuch Number Of Discs: 1 Publication Date: 1999 Publisher: Nonesuch Release Date: March 30, 1999 Studio: Nonesuch Sales Rank: 14471 MPN: 79530 Disc 1:
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Editorial Review: Amazon.com: Until this disc, Adam Guettel was best known as the mastermind behind Floyd Collins, the gut-wrenching, boundary-breaking piece of musical theater that never gained the popularity it deserved. Myths & Hymns is another beast altogether, though just as interesting. Guettel has created a song cycle based loosely on Greek mythology and lyrics he discovered in an antique hymnal. These 15 songs are a combination of art song and show tune, but all are interesting. "Icarus" is funky jazz in which the composer duets with Lawrence Clayton. "There's a Land" is transformed from a traditional hymnal into an upbeat romp à la "This Land Is Your Land." "At the Sounding" is an upbeat yet appropriate transition from the somber "Children of the Heavenly King." Joining Guettel on the vocal parts for these works are Audra McDonald, Mandy Patinkin, Theresa McCarthy, and a handful of other fine interpreters. Sublime and moving, Myths & Hymns is all about reflecting--to God, a lover, or oneself. And while Guettel's roots run deep into the Broadway tradition (he's the grandson of Richard Rodgers), he's thankfully not afraid of musical experimentation. A great, soulful disc. --Jason Verlinde Customer Reviews
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 Rating:  - I love Adam GuettelThis is an amazing work of emotional, passionate, and very creative music. Its facinating melodies are very complex and its themes are powerful. This is a masterpiece of artful composition, but it is not a CD for those with frivolous tastes. It is very beautiful and involved music so if you dwell on the music of Hairspray or Grease, this is definately not an item for you, but if you really appriciate the true purpose of music then I am confident that you'll fall in love with Guettel's work! Rating: - Can this be for real?Once every thirty years or so I stumble onto a piece of music that is worthy of my attention and awe. It occurred in 1971 with Leonard Bernstein's "Mass", then again in 1984 with Sondheim's "Into The Woods." Now there is Adam Guettel's (pronounced "Gettle") "Myths & Hymns" or "Saturn Returns" as it was originally titled. The music, on paper, is ridiculously difficult and one searches for reason. I don't know a musician alive who could sight read it. However in listening to the recording magic leaps around you as each piece, all based on a variety of Hymns and Myths (surprise) and each one falling into different styles of music-even different world of music. Guettel has done things here that have simply never been done before. The musicians ... Read More: Rating:  - Almost PerfectLike most here, I bought "Myths and Hymns" after having already heard and liked Guettel's other two shows, and for the most part I wasn't disappointed. I'll start with the bad. My biggest problem is probably with the arrangements, which can be a bit bland and overly processed. At their worst they approximate adult contemporary mush (I could totally do without the annoying, noodling, guitar solos in "Icaras," for example. They make what is otherwise a great song sound too much like your typical "Lite rock FM" radio station fare). Likewise, his stabs at gospel come across as perfunctory and too processed by far; and because of this their arrangements fall short of the fire and grit which the lyrics express. "There's a Shout," ... Read More: Rating: - A magical and affecting song cycleI bought this disk on an Adam Guettel shopping spree after seeing and loving his Tony Award winning The Light in the Piazza. I was expecting the same sophistacated, elegant, and lushly romantic score a la Piazza, but was suprised to encounter an earthy mix of contemporary, hip rhythms and folkish, almost ecclesiastical melodies. However, upon my first listening, I didn't like it, didn't get it, and put it back on the self. Fast forward a year. I now think Myths and Hymns is the most original, most innovative song cycles of our generation. M and H encumpasses greek mythology and spiritual Americana by combining the stories of Icarus, Pegasus, Hero, Lysander, Sisyphus, and others with the structured yet sprited New England hymnal style ... Read More: Rating: - Beautiful Song Cycle, Almost As Good As Guettel's The Light In The PiazzaWhen listening to The Light In The Piazza, I soon fell in love with the soundtrack and wanted to hear more from Adam Guettel, so I picked up Myths & Hymns. While it is quite obviously different from The Light In The Piazza, it is just as musically brilliant. What really gives this album that extra glue to hold it together is the star-studded cast singing the songs. There are Broadway favorites like Mandy Patinkin (singing "Sisyphus") & Audra McDonald (singing in "Pegasus"), but one great thing about this is that Mr. Adam Guettel sings a few songs himself (and not half-bad might I add) which include "Hero And Leander" & "Saturn Returns." From the beautiful title song "Saturn Returns" to the quirky but funny "Pegasus" ... Read More: |
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