Rodgers and Hammersteins "Allegro" - First Complete Recording

Product Review

New Studio Cast Recording featuring Tony Award-winners Audra McDonald, Laura Benanti, Norbert Leo Butz, Tony Award-nominees Patrick Wilson, Judy Kuhn, Liz Callaway, Danny Burstein and opera sensation baritone Nathan Gunn.

Written in 1947, Rodgers & Hammerstein's ALLEGRO was preceded by OKLAHOMA! (1943) and CAROUSEL (1945), and followed by SOUTH PACIFIC (1949) and THE KING AND I (1951), a period when R&H were at their creative zenith. An original musical, it tells the story of an earnest country doctor, Joseph Taylor, Jr., following his life from cradle to adulthood, and his journey - both literal and moral - from small town to big city, and back again. The score is unconventional: fragments of song move in and out of the action like passing thoughts; melodies flit by in one scene only to take hold and blossom in the next. Major songs are given to minor characters, while the central character has comparatively little solo work; at the same time, a chorus provides spoken commentary and sings aloud their inner thoughts. Original director/choreographer Agnes de Mille's extended ballet sequences are reflected in intriguing orchestral pieces alongside such songs as "The Gentleman is a Dope," "So Far," "A Fellow Needs a Girl" and the spirited title song.

Title Tracks for Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Allegro" (First Complete Recording)

1. Overture
2. Opening
3. I Know It Can Happen Again
4. Pudgy Legs
5. Dialogue - One Foot, Other Foot
6. One Foot, Other Foot
7. Children's Dance
8. Grandmother's Death
9. Winters Go By
10. Dialogue - Poor Joe
11. Poor Joe
12. Diploma
13. A Fellow Needs A Girl
14. Freshmen Get Together
15. Dream Sequence
16. Pas de Deux
17. End of College Dance
18. Wildcats
19. Jennie Reads Letter
20. Scene of Professors
21. So Far
22. You Are Never Away
23. You Are Never Away (Encore)
24. Dialogue - Poor Joe (Reprise)
25. Poor Joe (Reprise)
26. Marjorie's Death
27. What A Lovely Day For A Wedding!
28. It May Be A Good Idea
29. Finale Act I
30. Entr'acte
31. Opening Act II
32. Money Isn't Everything
33. Dance (Money Isn't Everything)
34. Dialogue - Poor Joe (Second Reprise)
35. Poor Joe (Second Reprise)
36. You Are Never Away (Reprise)
37. A Fellow Needs A Girl (Reprise)
38. Yatata
39. The Gentleman Is a Dope
40. Dialogue - Allegro
41. Allegro
42. Allegro Ballet
43. Come Home
44. Finale Ultimo

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review

(38 customer reviews)

76 of 77 people found the following review helpful

Fantastic realization of a R&H "failure"., February 3, 2009

The Music Man "If I Cannot Fly, Let Me Sing" (United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Allegro" (First Complete Recording) (Audio CD)

I'm listening to this as I type, and I have to say I'm loving every second of this brand-new recording of the complete score to Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1947 flop "Allegro". This CD has a fascinating genesis: begun as a tryout with a European orchestra who had expressed interest in recording projects, the orchestral tracks were recorded in 2006. Then, the producers put together a "wish list" of talent, focusing on performers' vocal qualities, as if they were putting together the ideal radio show. Since they were willing to wait for artists, they were able to get every single one of their wish list, including Audra McDonald, Marni Nixon, Judy Kuhn, Liz Callway, Nathan Gunn, ...even Stephen Sondheim! There is even a surprise vocal appearance by the late Oscar Hammerstein! The entire process took nearly three years, but the result is a testament to the producer's vision. The recording is a dream, I don't hesitate to say that it blows the Original Broadway Cast clean out of the...Read more

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful

21st Century Allegro, Just In Time, February 5, 2009

bksellerguynj "bookfan" (new jersey) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Allegro" (First Complete Recording) (Audio CD)

I'm glad it's here. We should be thankful any project like this is being done in this era where even before the Crash of '08 a CD release on such a scale would not have been risked by a major label (Sony and the gang--even at cut-rate prices Ted Chapin has managed). I listened all the way through last night with the vocal score in my lap. First the voices and singing, Gunn and Audra M superb, Patrick Wilson incredible (hits and sustains a high G on two tracks! unbelievable!) the chorus sounds like a dream, all the ensemble singing sounds terrific (Joseph Taylor JR, One Foot, Wedding, etc. all wonderful chorus work). Marni Nixon has a charm voice for grandma, don't expect Patricia Neway power here, it's not necessary considering the music grandma is given anyway; this is not an anthem part in the usual R&H mold; in fact, nothing here is in their usual mode which is what makes this a different kind of R&H treasure.
Jenny and the nurse come across great vocally but they are more...Read more

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

A Landmark recording, February 7, 2009

Terry Carroll "Broadway CD purchaser" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Allegro" (First Complete Recording) (Audio CD)

"Allegro" was only available in the original cast version until this recording was released. The original was probably the weakest version of any of Rogers and Hammerstein's scores. It was severely truncated (The new recording is about 100 minutes long -- The old recording is only about 30 minutes), very poorly recorded at 78 rpm, and filled with the pretentious singing of the 1940s. The original cast recordings of "Oklahoma" and "Carousel", although similarly recorded, had many newer versions to make up for it. "Allegro" did not.

Imagine a list of all 44 numbers from the score. Now highlight every fifth or so. You now have what was originally recorded in the 1940s.

The new recording is a revelation. At last you can understand where each number fits into the score, and understand every word that is sung. The orchestra and singers are state of the art. This is a recording I have been waiting for since 2006 when I heard it might actually come about. I just got it...Read more