This recording is so good, I remember being really disappointed when I saw the show at the Lyric Opera because the orchestra was no where near as skilled nor fully fledged as here and the NY Phil recording- lol
In remembering Richard Rodgers for this beautiful piece, I think we should also acknowledge Robert Russell Bennett who arranged and orchestrated most all of R and H's work as well as hundreds of other pieces for musical theater. Rodgers came up with the basic themes on the piano while Bennett did the rest, creating the distinctive R and H "sound" we are familiar with. Often his name does not appear in the credits, although he was well appreciated and well paid for his work. He truly was a musical genius in his own right. For Carousel, the arranging was shared by Donald Walker and Hans Spialek.
This is a performance of the film version of the Carousel Waltz. It almost certainly bears little resemblence to the version scored for a theatre pit orchestra which may have numbered perhaps forty players at most. The music for the film versions was re-arranged to be played by full sized symphony orchestras. John Wilson has admitted to using the film versions rather than the original theatre scores.
A magnificent piece magnificently performed. The darkness, poignancy, mystery, and heartbreaking tragedy of the play is everywhere present in this glorious overture to Rodgers & Hammerstein's greatest work. My whole life has been devoted to the study and performance of "classical" music, but THIS truly does BELONG in the realm of serious, deeply affecting works of musical art. I am in tears.
@@francoaragosta4285 My brother loves classical music. He is a true musician and I love him for that. I just heard this tonight in a movie and instantly thought Mozart. Yes I'm ignorant but truly appreciate something's beautiful as this. Job well done Rodgers and Hammerstein.❤
James Fife . No. ........Oscar Hammerstein 2nd did not write music. He wrote the lyrics, and the lyrics always were written before Richard Rodgers began writing the music.
@@imonthebox1148 Yes, I did know that, thanks. Probably didn't choose my words correctly. As lyricist (Oscar) and music composer (Richard) they made a dynamic collaborative team. Cheers, James.
Initially Gershwin, Puccini and Kurt Weill were among those composers who would like to write a score for the original Franz Molnar play called Liliom, the basis of what became Carousel. Much later when the idea came up to form a musical from the play, Molnar gave the rights to Rodgers and Hammerstein. As we can hear the results, this was definitely one of the best decisions in the 20th century.
Wade Kingston , No. Oscar Hammerstein 2nd did not write music. He wrote lyrics and his lyrics were always written first. Then Rodgers wrote the melody.
Wade Kingston , Rodgers and Hammerstein didnt write music. They wrote songs for the musicals they created. Hammerstein's lyrics were always written first, then Rodgers wrote the melody.
I never thought that anything done in the last hundred years could match the classics. But this should be considered alongside those great waltzes of 200 yrs ago.
Indeed, Richard Rodgers, Bernard Hermann, Danny Elfman, Henry Mancini, Alan Menken, and of course the incomparable John Williams, are the creators of the classical music of our time. Rodgers is now often played by orchestras and getting his due as a masterful composer!
I grew up hearing the soundtracks to musicals like this. They scored my days with robust swells and wistful cadences, and infused my life with a continual, enthusiastic energy. I am grateful to my parents, both gone now but ever-present in the memory of our tiny Brooklyn apartment, singing and dancing to the records that captured these scores. They will remain with me.
Rich and dark, with swirls of color magnificent and mysterious, a beautiful and indefinable masterpiece, the main melody gives me chills as to its richness and the feeling is indescribable!
+Geoff P Me too Geoff. On Sunday afternoons in the early 1960's I would listen to a 'radio' programme that had the Carousel Waltz as its signature tune. It was called Movie-Go-Round & the compare, Peter Haigh, would review & play excerpts from new release films on radio - how strange that seems today. Of course I fell madly in love with Shirley Jones.
+Ianc Gunn Too, I saw this film in childhood (in the theatre, widescreen and full amplitude) and since have heard the soundtrack over and over. And I cry Every.Single.Time, it is so uberglorious a tender yet exuberant musical, ballet and tale of intergenerational tragic romance yet redemption. My crush was Gordon MacRae (also from R&H musical Oklahoma).
I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who blubbers every time I hear this! IMHO, one of the most beautiful pieces of modern music. Rodgers and Hammerstein were masters of their craft! Brings back memories of my youth when I first saw the movie in wide screen Cinerama in San Francisco in 1956. I was about 14 yo. Because I was so impressed with the movie, I love carousels and still collect carousel horse figurines! :)
Your comment is perfect. It leaves us feeling "like a child, riding on a carousel, closing your eyes and enjoying this wonderful waltz! Thank you for your note, Violet Gruner.
Been playing it over and over most of my life. I’m 65 and I’m a rocker forever, but this transports me to other place’s and I’ll cherish it forever. Glad you love it Dave.
I woke up may 24, '22 hearing the main theme in my head and looked it up. I saw movie a couple of times when much younger...couldn't exactly remember the violent parts loved the father returning to help his daughter w memories. I liked that.
The original character of Liliom was a little rougher in the original play by Molnar and both of the film versions, made in 1930 and 1934. The tv version in 1967 also portrayed the character of Billy in “Carousel” in a less innocent way. You’ll have to see all of these film adaptations to know what I really mean. He smokes, drinks, pushes and even strikes others although the original concept is that he only did that once with Julie and once with his own daughter Louise (supposedly based on a real incident in Molnar’s life, hence the story being written as a type of apology…) The story has always met with controversy but many would agree with me that it is also somewhat resolved and emotionally beautiful; Molnar himself approved of “Carousel” due to its more uplifting ending. The 2013 filmed concert on dvd with the NY Philharmonic did a nice job on all of it too but some dialog lines were regrettably missing…for example, you mentioned the nice things Billy was saying to give his daughter a positive outlook and memory of her dad…there was originally a line in both the original play of “Liliom” and the 1945 show of “Carousel” as well as the 1956 film version where he says “he used to tell funny jokes at the carousel and he made people laugh”.
imonthebox I love the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein and even if they hadn't made this masterpiece John Wilson would have found other great music to conduct .
Bravo, bravo! What an extraordinary performance by the John Wilson Orchestra. They played "Carousel Waltz" with all their heart, body & soul. It's one thing to listen to this Richard Rogers piece, but to see the how it's performed by the musicians themselves is amazing. You can see them "waltzing" to the music they are creating. Vondervul! I first heard the "Carousel Waltz" as a little girl from my dad's record & seen the musical on TV with Shirley Jones & Gordon MacRae many times. I love R&H!
Corruption in government and politics but some of the best music and art comes out of the "good old USA" And Carousel is a brilliant example of the high American standard of our diverse, cultural expressions
Rodgers was very proud of this music, as well he should have been. "Carousel" was his favorite of all his collaborations with Hammerstein, and it's my favorite R&H musical, too.
I heard this being played live last night at The Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow and then got to meet Mr Wilson himself afterwards! What a night - to say the whole experience was a thrill doesn't even do it justice!! Just love this man, his work and these wonderful musicians! Thank you!!
A magnificent piece magnificently performed. The darkness, poignancy, mystery, and heartbreaking tragedy of the play is everywhere present in this glorious overture to Rodgers & Hammerstein's greatest work. My whole life has been devoted to the study and performance of "classical" music, but THIS truly does BELONG in the realm of serious, deeply affecting works of musical art. I am in tears.
@@emilygaul7389 To all intents and purposes this is an overture. It’s an instrumental piece played at the beginning of a musical. If you mean that in the film there is a short dramatic piece which precludes the musical introduction, that is open to interpretation. This is an overture, but possibly in an unconventional position.
Absolutely wonderful. I was in the Royal Albert Hall for this performance in August 2010, and it was an incredible experience. Apparently this was the first time the 20th Century Fox arrangement had been played live, in full, since the movie was made back in the 1950's.
I believe that was the intent - to replicate the original in terms of the arrangement and faithfulness to the original. And they succeeded wonderfully!
This brings back memories of the first time I went on a carousel, I know the feeling will never be the same, even though there's that same excitement, but it is just not the same, the carousel waltz is a complete masterpiece! Thank you Richard Rodgers for doing such a Beautiful job! 😀😆🥰
I suspected as much re: it being the same orchestration used in the film. Very (very!) faithful to the original. What an amazing piece of video this is. The producers/director really "got it right" as it seems that every shot was pre-planned to highlight the particular section of the orchestra that was prominent during the shot. And of course, kudos to the conductor and players for what (at least to my ears) was a flawless execution.
This orchestra seems to always get it right, whatever piece they're playing. Can always close my eyes and picture the film in my mind, e.g. their "The Adventures of Robin Hood" suite.
@@imonthebox1148 Orchestrated for the stage by Don Walker and this version by Edward Powell for the film. It's the orchestration that gives it its power and enduring appeal. Orchestrators are the unsung heroes of the film and theatre industry. Also played here by a very special orchestra composed of the finest mix of UK orchestral and session musicians, personally hand picked by the conductor.
I guess if your watching this TRULY WONDERFUL music video, your a fan already. But I'd like to point out, to those unaware, that ALL the music, of these great R&H films, are available on the EMI 'Angel' Cd labels. and on these , are a FULL version of ALL the actual recorded music--even that not used in the films, and although I have the vinyl and previously released CD's, I Only play the 'ANGEL' issues now---you get the whole thing--marvelous!!
I really enjoyed this performance. I liked the touches I hadn't picked up on before in other recordings, like the trumpet flourishes at 2:35 or the quiet flute/oboe bit just after 6:00. My personal favorite part is where the music slows and then bursts out at 6:16 and 6:24. I know not everyone will say so, because there are so many pieces to choose from, but I think this is the prettiest music Rodgers ever composed!
fredo corleone jr Yes- the music has the soft oboe & flute at 6:04, because this is where Mrs Mullin confronts Julie and demands a ticket, and it’s right by the carousel, and the band organ would be near both of them, we can assume from the orchestration..And yes, you’re right about the music effectively slowing and the bursts that follow, especially the one at 6:24 where most conductors forget to slow down before the burst!
Great comment -- that elicited such an informed response by Anthony Simpson. You said it so well, Fredo Corleone Jr. -- and in so few words. Nice economy of style, as the editors used to say.
This is wonderfully orchestrated, and beautifully done! I've always loved any music that Rogers and Hammerstein wrote together! Thank you so much for sharing this one with us!. Love, Liz
Elizabeth Smith , No......Rodgers and Hammerstein didnt write music. Richard Rodgers wrote music. Oscar Hammerstein wrote the worlds or lyrics. And the lyrics always were written before Richard Rodgers started writing the musical notes.
Elizabeth Smith , Rodgers and Hammerstein did not write music together. On all their musicals, Oscars' lyrics were always written first, then Rodgers' wrote the melody.
You have been to The Proms at Royal Albert Hall. Envy you. Not least for getting to see -- as in this splendid video -- the world's greatest symphony and philharmonic musicians (ask any of the great singers who got to record with them). Beginning in 1962 when "The Guv'nor" as Sinatra called him arranged Frank's only album recorded outside America. That's Robert Farnon acknowledged as a primary influence by all the other great arrangers. In those days the musicians themselves were known as "Bob's Band." The album is "Great Songs from Great Britain" and if you don't own it, you're in for a treat. This Carousel was was orchestrated by Richard Rodgers' go-to arranger, Richard Rodney Bennet -- an arrangement that wouldn't be equaled until the greatest American arranger Nelson Riddle got together with Frank for "The Concert Sinatra." If you purchase only of our favorite singer's CDs, make it that one.
I envy you so much. That is the very best music festival in the world and to listen to the John Wilson Orchestra in the Royal Albert Hall would be like going to heaven.
Great music like this will live on; unlike the cr*p that passes for music today. Oops, don't call today's music that, call it for what it is... garbage and noise.
All my long life I mistakenly thought this was just a good piece of show music. I was wrong. I see now -- at age 72 -- that it is really a very great thing, indeed. This was a wonderful performance. I hated to hear it end.
Damn, this sounds perfectly like the one in the movie!! That's the version I love, I can't listen to any but the original!! Thanks so much for sharing!
cowgirlinla22: This performance utilizes the arrangement from the 1956 20th Century Fox film version. The ORIGINAL was orchestrated by Robert Russell Bennett for the 1945 Broadway version. It’s available on a Decca CD with John Raitt and Jan Clayton. Being in LA it must be hard for you to know the difference between real and imitation. Or even a real cow!! Don’t try milking a bull!!
Magnificent. Sophisticated. Aren't you just glad that 'Head banging rock' and 'Gangsta rap', really are not your thing in music? I certainly as hell, am................
+Someone Else Ugh omg yasss I wish I could like your comment more. I hate how many assholes try to make themselves seem better because of their musical taste. I mean you can listen to Beyonce and Beethoven without diminishing the quality of either artist.
I have only one RAP friend/connection. He is called the RAPSODIST. His language is tough to deal with a tough audience but he is actually preaching such things as telling blacks to get jobs and support their women instead of just getting them pregnant.
There is a raw circus/carnival tone to the brass and some other instruments that hits it just right, there is joy, exuberance, poignancy, and foreboding all rolled into one.
This still proves to be the most beautiful version of this masterpiece, and the arrangements based on those used in the 1956 film certainly remain unsurpassed. John Wilson still adds a few new touches here and there, while remaining faithful to the original. There's also a new cd recording of John Wilson conducting his orchestra which includes this and other musical compositions by Rodgers and Hammerstein as they were arranged for "Carousel" and other movies based on their shows.
Note this is the same orchestration as used in the film. Orchestrations by Edward Powell. If you really want to hear this piece, listen to the soundtrack recording conducted by Alfred Newman.
+Rick Miller This chart was orchestrated by Edward B. Powell for the 1956 film version, as it was featured on the John Wilson album "Rodgers & Hammerstein At the Movies".
It's not the genius of anyone except Robert Russell Bennett, whom everyone else steals from. And how exactly does your John Wilson "fine tune" HIS orchestra? Rodgers wrote the music. That's were the genius lies.
I hear the authentic tinny turn of the carousel at 1:20 onwards (percussionists what is this?)--really captures the flavor of the carnival. Though a waltz, this masterpiece has distinctively naive (and I mean that in the best sense), open flavored American tones. This version has a very colorful, juicy flavor to it--they've really captured the exuberance, joy and innocence of the carousel.
Wonderful orchestration. But the sad fact is listening to it here and not in the actual concert hall is the difference between looking at a picture of the Grand Canyon and being there.
1945 - the second Broadway musical for Rodgers and Hammerstein is called Carousel. After their tremendous success with Oklahoma! in 1943, could they do it again? This is the opening number and the audience knew they were in for a great night. Playing the male lead, carnival barker Billy Bigelow, was John Raitt. His daughter, Bonnie Raitt, was born in 1949.
I had tickets for the broadway 2018 revival. the show closed before my date. Heartbroken, imagine Renee Fleming singing You'll never walk alone, gives me goose bumps
Thanks very much for the info - Mike Lovatt is an awesome trumpet player.. You are very fortunate to have such an unusual orchestra as the John Wilson Orchestra in your country. Maybe one day they'll tour and visit us here in sunny Florida!
A fab version of a forties classic, recreated with his usual care and accuracy by Mr Wilson and his collaborators. Has anyone got an original recording that could be transcribed to video at higher resolution? 240 is much better than nothing, _and very grateful thanks to the OP_ of course, but the whole thing would really come alive in HD.
It is amazing how few Americans know about the BBC Proms. And the last night of the Proms is unbelievably great. Just one question: would they allow me to be a British citizen for that one night at least? I would love it.
The Flute Principle in this concert was Stewart McIlwham. He mainly plays for the London Philharmonic Orchestra and is also Professor of Piccolo at the Royal College of Music. Did you get to look at any of the Hollywood Rhapsody Prom. The whole concert is posted on RU-vid and Tom & Jerry is nearly at 600,000 views.
Quelle belle orchestration !!! Ce superbe thème me laisse une profonde envie de m'envoler dans une grande ronde aérienne : il me tire ,il me pousse , et je rêve !!!
