Pascal's 23 seconds, modulated 5 notes "Who" in a single breath is... breathtaking to tears. Having an agnsty day - crank it and belt it out!!!!! Adam is the only Freddie in my heart.
I can never hear anyone else sing this song! What I find even more impressive is that during the last note he switches from straight tone to vibrato and back again. This is rarely done because as soon as you allow the vibrato in, you lose a lot of air. Most songs that end with a big note like this, start with a deep breath, extended straight tone and then open up to a crescendo vibrato. He barely even looks like he took a breath!!! Perfection!
@@elizabethaso1277 Same here! I respect the people who love and prefer the original. But because of this performance, Adam will now and always be the only Freddie in my eyes, ears, mind, and heart. I mean, the vocal prowess, the pure and raw emotion, there's no denying that this man's voice, and his talent as an actor, are truly out of this world.
Adam Pascal is INCREDIBLE. I don't care how old this recording is. Just chills every time I watch this (and I'm pretty sure I've watched this an unhealthy amount of times lol)
Damn, Zubin Varla's rendition of Pity the Child is my favorite, but the way Adam is able to hit and SUSTAIN those high notes is unparalleled! Absolutely incredible.
Zubin is fantastic, his voice so rich and full but also able to show the anger/bitterness. Of course Murray Head was unique in his interpretation--technically less solid vocally but holy crap does he pour his heart and guts out to express his feelings!. And funnily enough, Drew Sarich kills this too (in a performance with an orchestra, not an actual production of the show)--obviously adds his unique rock style, flawless vocals and so, so much anger and hurt. I say "funnily" because it seems that the requirement for pulling this song off is that you first play a kick-ass Judas in JCS! For me, I feel Adam kinda under-performs this--I mean, there's no denying his incredible vocals and breath support, and he does get some of the anger across for sure. But this is Freddie's apotheosis where he finally shows some sincerity and raw emotion, and personally I don't hear/see it in Adam's portrayal. BUT I know I'm an outlier because most people are knocked out by his performance and I'm certainly not gonna say they're wrong. Just my weird taste really. (But everyone should check Drew's version... Despite not having the advantage of performing the role for an entire production--though he did a concert version back in 2012--he *really* shows the spectrum of emotion Freddie goes through. Including more vulnerability than I think others bring to it; shows us a peek of that unhappy, neglected boy. Ugh, listen to me. I'm sorry, I'm an unabashed Sarich fangirl so my bias is clear, heh.)
@@kirajlerner That's totally fair! Adam is technically incredible, but he often struggles with bringing the emotion, so I get what you're saying! But his singing is so good that I don't mind that his acting can be kinda weak, and I think Freddie was probably his best performance. And you're right about playing Judas seeming to be a prerequisite to being a great Freddie, haha! Though, like I said, I do like Adam (and I still can't believe he never played Judas!) Drew Sarich kills every role, one of the absolute best rock tenors in theater!
You should've seen the late 1980s one. Straight down from Heaven. (This newer version isn't bad, though. Quite wonderful, actually). Lucky you for living in London and having the chance to see the new production there. Wishing good time. Salaam from the heart of Arabia.
I saw it on Broadway in the 1980’s. Critics panned it, in part because of its Cold War black-and-white approach to character development, but I thought it just marvelous. This particular song still tears me apart. The character who sings “Pity the Child” is seemingly cold and callous as an adult, but the song gives you the backstory of his life and you understand him better.
SeasonsChange14 No wonder the critics panned the Broadway version since it was VERY different from the actual story. It’s a shame that the original plot had to suffer from outrageous modifications making it less enjoyable. The West End version (which is 95% the same as this concert) will always be the original and the better version.
This is my favorite rendition of CHESS thus far, though I do wish "I Know Him So Well" was incorporated into a scene in which Svetlana & Florence have actually met and interacted. This abstract rendition is OK, but I prefer the other (which was how a previous script did it). That said, most of the updates to this book make the musical far better.
@@TimeandMonotony the highest I heard (though I must say I don't listen to him that much) was a D5 in "memphis lives in me". The top notes here are C5s. By the way I would actually also really enjoy him singing gethsemane. :D
@@bencrossman One of the duets where I really miss Eileen Page (Idina is a bit too rushed or too forced at times. Still a very good overall performance)
I don't mean to sound like a weirdo or anything but Adam doesn't even seem like he's trying to give it his all. Yet he delivers more then Murray head could in this song🤦♀️. Utterly amazed!!!
So genuinely mad this was in my recommended again. I was finally starting to be able to listen to other versions of Pity the Child, but all that's ruined now that I've heard this again. Damn.
Dude I've been wondering this for months lol. The full version of this is on a sketchy paid for site that wouldnt let me cancel but now I want to see the deal
I’ve been trying everything to make part 12 available but it’s sadly blocked all around the world, unless you’re ‘lucky’ to live in Cuba, Syria, Iran, North Korea or Somaliland because these are the only countries where the video is available!
@@JF-sh2sm Oh wow! Hehe a fine assortment of countries! 😆 I have some experience of my videos being blocked in all but a handful of countries, so I feel that. Thanks for the response, and for uploading this!
Was there a rewrite for this performance? Ive never seen any other versions where that last word is held for so long on Pity for the Child. Adam does an amazing job but noone else seems to do it.
There were a ton of rewrites, particularly because the original (which was very well done) offended both Russian and Thai critics. Personally, I think this is a gem.
Orchestrally it's exactly the same as the London version of the show (as is all of Chess in Concert, just with some of the synths replaced with a fuller string and brass section) - Adam does whats called an "interpolation" where he makes the role his own by riffing on that end note. Doesn't affect the Orchestra at all, and gives a great applause break. Adam is just super efficient with his air which is also 100% necessary considering this is one of the most vocally demanding songs in all of theatre for men.
This show is rewritten just about everytime they do a new performance. I've seen it a couple of times in concert and one full production (all professional productions) and each time there were changes made. Songs were cut, lyrics rewritten, songs were sung by different characters. It's really an ever evolving show, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.
Agreed - it's ALMOST impossible to full chest a high C without sounding like you're shouting. Pascal is a mutant! This was amazing. (Saw Broadway's Jeremy Kushnier play Freddie at the Signature Theatre in Virginia - and he was equally AMAZING.)
Ageee!!! I've done the show - played Walter (the "Business Manager", and I've also Conducted the orchestra for a production. Adam's Pity the Child is the BEST I've ever heard! 😎😎😎
If they were to do this in five years time, I'd love to see Samantha Barks as Florence and Rachel Tucker as Svetlana. I think that both could sing either part, I just think that Rachel being a wife and mother could bring that to the part of Svetlana, but in five years, Sam could be in the same situation. The problem is, I can't work out who the rest of the cast would be.
Samantha Barks ended up being unbelievably good as Florence, I saw her in London a few days ago. Joel Harper Jackson as Freddy, Hadley Fraser as Anatoly, Frances Mayli McCann as Svetlana, Ako Mitchell as the Arbiter. I’d say it was the perfect cast!
shame the UK blocked 1 of the videos... (#12)... if they wont release it on UK DVD... then its fair game! lets face it...we are only enjoying it in lockdown!
I'm going to play Devil's Advocate and say that Idina Menzel just always sounds like Maureen to me. She does have her moments in Chess, but when It comes to Adam, He plays it good. Every once in a while, he does something and I think Roger, but not often. There's a line in this musical where Idina says something like "he's working for Global Television, it's big money," and all I hear is "my riot got you on TV I deserve a royalty." She isn't a bad singer, I guess I'm just used to Elaine Paige
They kinda already performed it since the chorus is based on the chorus from ‘I Am An A’, a song that ABBA used to sing during their 1977 Australian tour. It was never recorded but you can find a passable live version of it on RU-vid.
Adam gives this difficult song a pure & true Broadway vocalist interpretation. 🤩 However, didn't the composers write this song as a rock anthem, to be sung in the style of a rock vocalist? 🤔
It's actually 21 seconds long because it lasts from 4:35 to 4:56. Just to be pedantic. I just love this show so much that I don't mind getting into trivial details - cos it simply gives me an excuse to watch and listen to this wonderful song and show for yet one more time!
Part 12 is only one song, granted it’s a 10 minute song, but it’s also a great song. I found an edit of Disney characters singing The Deal (No Deal) and it was great
I'm usually not a huge Adam Pascal. I find that he shouts everything he sings but I think this character is perfect for him and I love him in this role.
Yes you are right - my bad! Still, what a wonderful beautiful song to discuss stuff that gives one an excuse to listen again - and again - and again - and it's the music not the debates that make you want to do that!
part 12 of the playlist was removed but i found an archived copy in the wayback machine. i'll put the link in the reply, but you have to add = to the end to get it to work
Chess Opening song = 2:15 into the clip it starts The Story of Chess Slow 4/4 x7 = intro two instrumental melody parts Aaaaah the part begins 4/4 ×71 = 7 instrumental melodies = intro And in the end we see the game that started by mistake in Hindustan understood in the made by Watters now one The Referee's Lines after the song: The world chess federation, of which I have the honor of being president, announces that the next world championship will take place here in Merano, Italy. The current world champion Fredrick Trumper of the United States of America will defend his title against Anatoly Sergievsky of the Soviet Union. The first player to achieve six victories will be declared champion. The first game will begin on March 27th 1979, welcome world to Merano. Merano Reporter's song Fast bit interlinking with Florence bit lyrics = What did I conclude, his out of his streak His finally, caught up between you and me, his no opponent, as he described, infact he shouldnt have come here, he should have resigned 3x His no one's friend, he shouldn't have come here he should have resigned, Anatolie's first song USA vs Russia song Cheerleader song Chess Game.1 = theme Key: Dm, Gm, Cm, Fm Lots of chromatic Trumper song Global television = lines Florence song = Maybe Im on nobody's side The meeting at the mountain top song Chess Game.1 = theme Key: Dm, Gm, Cm, Fm Lots of chromatic Great Britain/London keyholders song Heaven help my heart Reporters Anthem Florence and Anatolie's song Bangkok Russian party song Global television guys small song Anatolie's wife's song Pity the child All chess players name song Alekhine Smyslov Fischer Capa blank Kasparov Morphy Chess Game.2 = theme Take my blues red Anthem outro
This is my first time listening to this. Was Idina rushing her first "Wasn't it good?" part? Seems like it didn't fit the music quite as well. Beautiful song, nonetheless.
I’ve always thought this, I can hear such a metallic edge on mainly Adam and Idina’s singing. I feel like it’s mainly for stylistic choice however, fits with the synth style of the musuc
I went looking for music from some of Tim Rice's more obscure work. Found one called 'Cricket' -- there were songs from that one in RU-vid that I can't track down.
There's a video of him on YT singing "Bring Him Home" from what looks like a private set. I wouldn't have thought his distinctive rock voice would work with the song, but he nails it. Utterly beautiful.
