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1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Almost perfect Jul 07, 2009
This version (and there are many) of this play / movie certainly has the oomph of the soundtrack I heard in the movies. I would have preferred more of a bass response, especially for "Tradition", and less emphasis on the treble as it was almost painful to listen to. If you EQ your system to "flat" response, it is listenable, thankfully.
I personally prefer the Zero Mostel version of this soundtrack. I think that he was perfect in the role. But, with so many versions available, it easy to see that the choice is a personal one.
However, the reason to buy this CD is for Issac Stern's violin solo on the first track. I have listened many, many times to this brilliant solo. I think it was improvised. If not, kudos should be given to John Williams' score. Regardless, the passion that Stern used comes through loud and clear. While ethnic in root, the solo transcends boundaries. It is no wonder that Itzhak Perlman revered this man.
Make no doubt that this soundtrack is wonderful. The score is great and John Williams should be congratulated. If only Zero was the lead. This, then, would have been perfect.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 A must for musical soundtrack collectors Jun 14, 2009
While I do not have a definitive collection of musical soundtracks, I can boast of owning the most notable or at least popular musicals made into film. Yet somehow, for whatever reason, I did not own and had not listened extensively to, Fiddler on the Roof. It was with perhaps a slight lack of interest that I purchased this CD and began to listen. Yet I quickly became interested.
From the beginning, the music entranced me with a mixture of familiar songs and some not so familiar. The performances are the right blend of earthy style and musical excellence, resulting in a kind of realistic portrayal of the events surrounding the film. Unlike some musicals where the gritty situations are masked by superior, well-trained singing, this recording, however, demonstrates attention to the text and to the tension of the movie with the natural musical expression one might find among the working class.
This is not to say the performances are lacking in excellence. On the contrary, they are exciting, precise, expressive, and heart-felt, accurate and bold in all respects. The songs and the singing are appropriate to the story, serving the plot and circumstances rather than forming a story to fit great songs. It makes for a seamless musical presentation and comes across with a great deal of authenticity and artistic honesty.
But perhaps the finest aspect of this recording is the orchestration. John Williams acquired excellent song material and improved on it with powerful usage of instruments, counter-melodies, indigenous tone and instruments, and a wide variety of percussion instruments. While there may be excessive usage of the tambourine at times and the string flurries sound a little over produced, the orchestration tends to lift the listener to another level of excitement and energy. This is not an unusual reaction to the music of John Williams and he is to be commended for his brilliant and colorful approach to the songs.
In the end, this is a fun and important recording that belongs in the libraries of serious musical collectors. If you are limited in time, and need to pick one track to hear, "To Life" is pure joy from beginning to end.
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
You don't have to be Jewish! This is the GREATEST! Oct 30, 2008
Dear folks,
I have been with Amazon for a few years now, and I have purchased and sold many items, but "Fiddler on The Roof" I have the Musical score which makes my heart jump for joy, and cry with sympathy. I also have the DVD movie produced and directed by Canadian Norman Jewison. Released with (Chaim)TOPOL as Tevya, the poor, hard working Godly milkman in "Anatevka", a ficticious town in pre-Communist Russia, or Czarist Russia, which puts us in the very early 1900's era, with Tevya, the Milkman, his wife Golde, and in the both (as the soundtrack is from the movie, here he has 5 daughters a few are preparing to become enthrothed by the Matchmaker "Yente"(which is finalized by the "PAPA", Tevya...(he would wish!)
Both are a great pleasure to me and I recommend the movie and the score for all, and I do NOT care who or whom you worship, as it works out to only ONE anyway!, (Thus sayeth the Christian Apostle Saul of Tarsus (Christianized "Paul", or St. Paul.}
Either way you look at it or listen to it in your car, or as I do:I listen to the score during the days at times when I am feeling down a bit, or when I watch the DVD at night or bedtime, with a bowl of oatmeal to calm my knotted stomach and push me off to sleep...but, I am so in love with this whole story by Sholom Alacheim and the music led bt Isaac Stern on his violin, which I truly appreciated as I play many stringed instruments incl. the "fiddle", (a southern-version of the violin played in American music mostly in the Country/Blusgrass Venue). I am amazed by the story, but first as I watched it, and as I listened to the 30th Anniversary edition of the soundtrack, I was put at ease as I listened to Tevya (Chaim)Topol, and his prayers to God about the things that were happening in his life...he would in a respectful manner talk to God as though they were sharing the same air, yes! There are those that feel that close to God and as God said in the Bible :'for us to talk to Him daily, by the minute, or as we wanted for He was always there to listen to your heart" and your problems and happinesses, and Tevya reminded me of this continually, thus lifting my own spiritualness and heart.
These are two of the most treasured items of entertainment that I own, and they are staying with me, as I watch the movie mostly nightly, and listen to the soundtrack during the day as I peck along on the keys writing what I have to, but, my character and heart has been moved to wonderful feelings as my senses soak in the spiritualness of the soundtrack and the MGM Movie which includes so much of the re-mastered 1969 +- movie!
I recommend this for all who need a change of heart, or a lift in their spirits.
Most Highly recommended...(both Items)=10 of 10 stars from "Fourstrings Rit".
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Greatest Musical Ever? Oct 25, 2008
This is the recording to one of the greatest musicals ever and the sound on it is wonderful. If you like the movie then you have to get this cd.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF CD Sep 11, 2008
THIS CD WAS WONDERFUL. IT BROUGHT BACK GREAT MEMORIES OF MY YOUTH. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THE PLAY, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF AND HAD THE ALBUM WHEN I WAS A KID. I EVEN HAD SUNRISE, SUNSET SANG AT MY WEDDING. WELL MY NEICE RECENTLY ASKED ME TO SING "SUNRISE, SUNSET " AT HER WEDDING, SO I GOT THIS CD FOR A QUICK REFRESHER AND AM SO READY TO SING.
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