Product Description

Alfred Molina stars as Tevye in this new production of the American musical classic, with a book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. Tony® and Olivier Award nominee Molina was last seen on Broadway in the Tony-winning Best Play Art; his films credits include Raiders of the Lost Ark, Magnolia, Frida and this summer's upcoming blockbuster Spider-Man 2. The beloved score to Fiddler includes "Sunrise, Sunset," "If I Were a Rich Man" and "Matchmaker." The original production was the longest running show ever to play Broadway. Now this new production#preserved here in a sumptuous 75-minute CD (with songs never before recorded), performed by a cast of 40 and a 25-piece orchestra#is already setting records of its own.

Track Listing

1. Tradition (Full Company)
2. Matchmaker (Laura Michelle Kelly, Tricia Paoluccio, Sally Murphy, Molly Ephraim and Lea Michele)
3. If I Were a Rich Man (Alfred Molina)
4. Sabbath Prayer (Full Company)
5. To Life (Alfred Molina, David Wohl, David Ayers and Men)
6. To Life - Dance (Alfred Molina, David Wohl and Men)
7. Tevye's Monologue (Alfred Molina, Sally Murphy and John Cariani)
8. Miracle of Miracles (John Cariani)
9. Tevye's Dream (Full Company)
10. Wedding Procession (Orchestra)
11. Sunrise, Sunset (Full Company)
12. Wedding Dance (Full Company)
13. Now I Have Everything (Robert Petkoff and Laura Michelle Kelly)
14. Now I Have Everything (reprise) (Robert Petkoff and Laura Michelle Kelly)
15. Tevye's Monologue (reprise) (Alfred Molina, Laura Michelle Kelly and Robert Petkoff)
16. Do You Love Me? (Alfred Molina and Randy Graff)
17. Topsy-Turvy (Nancy Opel, Sally Murphy, Joy Hermalyn and Marsha Waterbury)
18. Far from the Home I Love (Laura Michelle Kelly and Alfred Molina)
19. Chavaleh (Alfred Molina, Tricia Paoluccio and Company)
20. Anatevka (Full Company)
21. The Leave-taking (Alfred Molina, Randy Graff, Sally Murphy, John Cariani, Molly Ephraim, Lea Michele)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28927 in Music
• Released on: 2004-06-08
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording

Amazon.com
It is difficult but possible to put your stamp on a role closely identified with a particular performer. Just look at Bernadette Peters taking on Mama Rose in Gypsy or Patti LuPone tackling Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd. Alfred Molina had a similar challenge when he signed on to play the Jewish dairyman Tevye: who could forget Zero Mostel in the original production or even Topol in the movie? Molina wisely plays the part down, steering clear of Mostel's hamming, but then he goes overboard in the other direction and too often his characterization is colorless rather than subtle. This actually applies to David Leveaux's overall production, which lacks energy. This recording is mostly for completists, and the original cast album still stands as the definitive one. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

The Most Musical (if you know what I mean...)
I watched the movie when I was very young and fell in love with the musical almost immediately. I started to search for the soundtrack just this year, when I have already watched the movie several times (it never gets old). By this time I knew what I wanted; a recording that was very musical. I felt that, although the most expressive, the movie recording wasn't as musical as I wanted it to be. The singers (besides Tevye, of course) in the original cast didn't suit my style. So when I found this recording of my favorite musical, I was estatic. Although I believe that Tevye in this one is not as expressive in his other couter-parts, he does suit the role well (well, I like him at any rate). I also love the singers in this recording, and the orchestra is to DIE for (especially the fiddle solos). If you're looking for the most musical of all the recordings, get this one. It's definitely worth it.

Best Recording Ever!
This is the best recording of Fiddler I've found yet. Everyone sounds great. You can feel the pain, excitement, and all the emotions of the actor through their singing. If you're going to buy a cd of Fiddler, make it this one. You won't be sorry. I know I'm not.

Excellent Recording
I used this recording to practice for a Presentation of Fiddler of the Roof. It was great music to listen to and work from. I found it to be the best recording of Fiddler available