Produced by Goddard Lieberson and conducted by Cyril Ornadel, the album was praised for its rich sound quality and elegant packaging, which helped renew public interest in the recording. Critics also commended the stereo edition for maintaining the vitality of the live performances while enhancing the listening experience through high-fidelity sound.
The album topped Billboard's Best-Selling Stereophonic LPs chart for three weeks in 1959 and later earning multiple certifications, including Gold in the 1960s and 3× Platinum in 1986. It was reissued several times over the decades, notably on CD in 1998 by Columbia Legacy with bonus tracks and archival material.
Album details
The album features the performances of the original Broadway cast, including Rex Harrison, Julie Andrews, and Stanley Holloway. The musical, composed by Frederick Loewe with lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, was a success on Broadway, and its cast recording has been highly regarded for capturing the essence of the stage production.[2]
The original London cast recording, which moved into the Drury Lane Theatre in April 1958, is very similar to the Broadway version. This London cast recording has often been more affordable than the original Broadway cast, making it a popular choice for fans of the musical.[2] The production was conducted by Cyril Ornadel, and the recording was produced by Goddard Lieberson, who was instrumental in bringing the original cast together for this project.[3]
The stereo version of the album, recorded in London with the original cast, was released as Columbia OS 2015 and was praised for its high-quality sound and packaging, which helped to renew interest in the album. It was completed in London in February 1959, featuring the original New York cast, and was noted for opening up a new market for the original cast LP.[4][5]
The recording was later reissued in various formats, including a compact disc (CD) version in 1998 by Columbia Legacy, which included bonus tracks such as "The Embassy Waltz" and extensive liner notes with memorabilia and previously unpublished photos.[2]
The music critic of Billboard magazine also praised the stereo version, stating that it "greatly fulfills all expectations" and was "worth waiting for".[4] William D. Laffler, writing for The Dispatch, emphasized the historical significance of the recording, particularly the opportunity it provided for listeners to experience the original cast's performance.[6] Similarly, Cash Box magazine pointed out that the recording retained all the "original charm and wit" of the musical and that its stereo format could open the album to a broader audience.[5]
Warren DeMotte of the Sunday Herald also lauded the stereo recording, noting the spontaneity and experience that the cast brought to the project after three additional years of performing the musical. The recording was described as top-notch, with Cyril Ornadel's conducting adding to the overall quality of the production.[3]
Marjorie Ellen Ruhlmann of AllMusic highlighted the value of the London cast recording, noting its affordability and the inclusion of bonus material in the 1998 CD reissue.[2]
Commercial performance
The album spended three weeks at number one on the Billboard chart Best-Selling Stereophonic LPs in 1959.[7][8][9] Starting May 25, 1959, separate charts were listed for albums in mono and stereo formats, called Best-Selling Monophonic LPs and Best-Selling Stereophonic LPs, respectively.[10] In 1962, the album peaked at number 49 on the Cash Box chart.[11]
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