There are several people (along with Quast) who could give a class on the texture of sand, and I'd listen to it.... Alan Rickman (May he rest in peace...I hope he has classes in heaven) Morgan Freeman James Earl Jones David Attenborough Stephen Fry
Even though he didn’t create the role, I’d say that he’s the definitive Javert. In my opinion, nobody has done it as well as him. I wish he could’ve somehow been part of the movie.
He would have dwarfed everyone else. I wanted Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean. The guy has the same qualities as Quast: gorgeous voice, compassionate thoughtful acting. His “Bring Him Home” is definitive and always makes me cry. Like Quast, he BELIEVES in the “reality” of the character. JVJ is not a character in a play, but a real man, every word and note.
This is exceptional. And his classical theatre training reigns throughout. This is a seven-minute crash-course masterclass on how to analyze any dramatic text.
I wrote my Masters thesis on the translation of Javerts Suicide (from the original French to English, back to French and to German). He said about as much (and more) in 5 minutes than I did on 80+ pages.
After researching for your paper did you feel any of the translations left anything out? Did each translation put it's own cultural context on his suicide?
He is simply the best to play Javert ever. I saw him several times during the 1992 UK tour and I still get goose bumps simply because it was that amazing, what else can I say
This is the amount of thought and work that lie behind an expressive performance! Quast is the most amazing Javert ever, it's like it was written for him. (And, even his speaking voice is beautiful. omg.)
Amazing how much thought goes into this. I think that a lot of us take for granted that singers in musicals just go up there and sing the lyrics. It's easy to forget that they're Acting, as well.
wow,I have listened to Javerts Suicide loads of times ,I have listened to Philip Quast singing it loads of times but when he strips the song back and real gets to the core of what it means and what its about it makes you think about it in a totally different light and it also makes me remember why Les Mis is my fave Musical ever :)
He makes tears come to my eyes just listening to him talk about it. Such thoughtful compassion for the character. The most wonderful portrayal of Javert I have ever seen.
As many times as I’ve heard this song, I had no idea how much thought that he put into his performance. It’s awesome to be able to listen to him and absorb that knowledge & forethought!
Maybe the producers thought Crowe was the next best thing, they look similar are both Aussies (exceptional singers) but there the similarities end. Sometimes I wish they would immortalise the brilliance and give the role to the best man, not the star. It would have been a better movie with Philip in that role.
Oh --- if only Whenever I watch Les Mis the movie, I have to undo the damage and watch Philip Quast's RU-vid videos or I go a bit crazy ... I should say, my thoughts fly apart
A better Javert there will never be. That voice, oh that voice!!! He makes me believe every word. " It is Valjean or Javert!" Love it!! I would love to see this in person.
Unfortunately for me, I never got to see him act Javert. I only saw him sing Javert in the 10th Anniversary. I can't find any recorded video of him acting Les Miz in RU-vid.
When I was in Les Miz at The Muny, the musical director coached us in a similar fashion, where we went through our songs syllable-by-syllable, word-by-word, to analyze how to deliver it believably and make it sound great. It works wonders. Cool to know that Philip Quast had the same coaching from Trevor Nunn!
I've always held tremendous admiration for the talents of this man and now hearing him speak so eloquently. Really now puts him at the very top of my list of talented individuals in this world
still the Gold standard despite being "just" a concert version. I only have it in DVD and would love to see a Blu-Ray release. It absolutely never gets stale.
He is so one with the role of Javert. This talk just proves that he really puts thought behind the words he sings. It's the emotion he puts behind his performance that really makes it shine.
He is truly incredible. My first Javert and my most favorite. He truly puts the "master" in masterclass. This man, nothing short of a gift from God to this world, could read a phonebook and I would be completely enraptured. Which begs rhe question, why hasn't he done more audiobooks or voice acting?
OhMyGosh! I learned so much! I never knew it took that much to get emotions into singing a song. So, that's how it goes! Seriously, that's hard! So much respect to all Theatre performers and everyone involved!
Philip Quast Aussie legend from so many great series and shows just saw him in Hackshaw Ridge and fond memories from Playschool! Dang we all get older - he got wiser. What a brilliant breakdown of the song.
As a man who aspires to play this role, this is a great thing to see. I learn so much more about a creative process and how I can apply it to my character.
@@chrisp4170 it’s a great song, but for me nothing encapsulates both Valjean and Javert like that song. We learn throughout the whole musical of the journey these two have been on, and Valjean could have killed him, he could have done so many things after the endless running and hunting, but he chose not to, prompting Javerts last song. A moment that lives with me forever (despite my younger brother spoiling it for me for years by yelling “splash!” right as Quast utters the last syllables.) It’s an amazing show, and remains in my top 5 musicals of all time, but Phillip Quast will only ever be *my* Javert.
I had no idea that how to sing a song could be so fascinating and so deeply thought out. I was spellbound. No wonder it moves me so deeply when I hear him sing this. Thank you, Philip.
he is telling us exactly why we are so impressed with his performance without saying that...this greatly increases my appreciation for his performance by now understanding beyond a surface impression, exactly why I find it so moving and connective.
I had no idea there was so much in this! I had to go have a go at singing it immediately and it was far more satisfying bearing this information in mind :) This was brilliant
Brilliant. Such respect for the words and their meaning. Many men sing this beautifully but miss the mark when it comes to the turmoil Javert is going through. The words in this song sum up the whole story, of dark versus light, fear versus love. Young performers would benefit hugely from watching Philip's mastery of his craft.
