~ Jesus Christ Superstar Original Cast ~
Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)
~ The Movie Soundtrack ~
Posted on 03/29/2013 6:00:29 PM PDT by AZamericonnie
This soliloquy is the most classically operatic piece in the entire score, and Andy sets it up to be the showstopper. It begins with a recitative accompanied by brass choir where Jesus puts his crew to bed. He then takes up the Gethsemane aria, a solid piece of composition. Andy interjects bars of 9/8 into the aria, and the instrumental interlude is a tip of the hat to Orff. It’s unforgettable. Have a box of tissues handy.
I remember chuckling at that line the first time I heard/read it.
The original album contained the complete libretto.
First thing that pops into mind would be The Factory, that whole Andy Warhol scene. Velvet Underground, others. That was overt, self-conscious artiness, an attempt to merge the musical and the visual arts. It influenced a lot of musicians and bands that were to emerge in the following years. David Bowie would be a prime example.
Then, you have the art rock bands who were very ambitious in musical scope, composing rock operas and such, merging elements of classical composition with contemporary popular music. Quite a few of those, from the late sixties to the late seventies, primarily. Many achieved true rock star status filling huge arenas, others remained in relative obscurity. Todd Rundgren, Queen, King Crimson, early Jethro Tull, early Peter Gabriel era Genesis, even Frank Zappa would qualify as art rock.
It should be a very interesting theme with a lot of variety. I'll see if I can find something, lol.
That Glen guy has a nice voice but his appearance is a wee bit too “girly” for me. I would prefer a more robust tenor with black hair and a BEARD.
But that’s just me.
Yes...i remember seeing Zappa MANY times in concert back-in-the-day, and it was definitely “Art”.
Judas and Jesus share a recitative, and the Apostles wake up to a chorus of “What’s the buzz?” The Mainstream Media starts up a chorus in 7/4 with music from the Temple scene. Jesus engages in short duet passages with Caiaphas and Annas while chorus takes up the earlier 5/4 music from “What’s the buzz?”
Sextet
A better edit would have permitted a segue into this number. Peter is interrogated by journalists and fails the test. Mary Magdalene gets the last word.
I am safely home...the streets are running with water. Lots of windshield washer.
I will show her the thread.
Pilate is a wonderful baritone role, and here he’s clothed in a mixture of Roman and Nazi regalia. Annas gets a line given to an anonymous Roman soldier in the original production. The music is from the chorus “Hosanna”, and when the chorus finally breaks into this tune, the irony is so thick you can cut it with a knife. Those who cheered now jeer; it’s the anthem of a fickle mob.
Aria
Andy and Tim took a lot of heat for this number because it’s not only ragtime, it’s comic relief. There was the accusation of bad taste, and it’s rather jarring after what came before. But it’s one of the catchiest numbers in the opera. Herod Antipas comes across as – well – gay. This video should have been edited as a segue.
This is gonna be great when I have a chance to waller! I’m on a road trip now and am on my iPad.
Can’t play tunes and I feel bad about that!
Truthfully, I am not really happy with this modern production.
I remember the old recording, maybe i am just stuck on the old voices.
Oh Well.
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Andy said at the time that this production was as close to his ideal as he could get.
No problem.
It just doesn’t appeal to me.
Perhaps I have “idealized Memories” of the 1973 production.
That happens sometimes.
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