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Product Description
CD Description
Kristina is the inspiring story of one woman and her family’s struggle in Sweden, and their subsequent emigration to America in search of a better life. With stirring music by Benny Andersson and lyrics by Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA fame, this musical production has won awards, critical acclaim and is the most popular musical theatre piece in Swedish history. This album is a live recording from the US premiere of the show at Carnegie Hall in 2009.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
What a wonderful recording in English (at long last!) of brilliant music. I've had the Swedish version of 'Kristina fran Duvemala' for many years and know the music well, so just one listen after the CD arrived from Amazon on the evening that the show is being performed in the Royal Albert Hall #April 14th# has been enough for these comments.
Considerably shorter than the Swedish version #I've had no time yet to work out what is 'missing,'# maybe this is the reason the story appears to move forward perhaps faster than the original. For example, the wonderful song, 'Wild Grass,' which is a reminder of the treatment of native Indians in the USA in regard to land in the 19th century but manages to #almost# convince one that the settlers breaking in the land have a strong case, appears to be rather isolated in its sentiments.
But then I didn't even know what the song was about until tonight anyway!
So it was also rather disconcerting to discover that one of my favourite tracks from the Swedish version is actually about an iron stove called 'Queen of the Prairie!' And how nice to pick up the humour in what is a serious musical in songs like 'Lice' and 'American Man.'
I love it all, but who can argue with the fantastic audience responses to the aforesaid 'Wild Grass #Russell Watson in excellent form#, 'Gold Can Turn to Sand' #Kevin Odekirk - with another idea that appears and disappears very quickly#, and the brilliant rendition of 'You Have to be There' #Helen Sjoholm#.
If the orchestrations I have been used to in the Swedish version sometimes disappear in this production #I especially found this in 'Emperors and Kings#, it is a small price to pay and in no way takes away from a 5 Star recommendation. ABBA it is not if new-comers are looking for reminders of a distant past. But the music repays several listens and just shows us how talented Bjorn and Benny are, as 'Chess' showed #with Tim Rice on lyrics of course#.
After all this time #'Kristina' goes back to the mid -1990's#, surely Bjorn and Benny have got another musical in them!! Until they produce another one, open a bottle of wine, lay back with your eyes closed, and enjoy 'Kristina!'
Considerably shorter than the Swedish version #I've had no time yet to work out what is 'missing,'# maybe this is the reason the story appears to move forward perhaps faster than the original. For example, the wonderful song, 'Wild Grass,' which is a reminder of the treatment of native Indians in the USA in regard to land in the 19th century but manages to #almost# convince one that the settlers breaking in the land have a strong case, appears to be rather isolated in its sentiments.
But then I didn't even know what the song was about until tonight anyway!
So it was also rather disconcerting to discover that one of my favourite tracks from the Swedish version is actually about an iron stove called 'Queen of the Prairie!' And how nice to pick up the humour in what is a serious musical in songs like 'Lice' and 'American Man.'
I love it all, but who can argue with the fantastic audience responses to the aforesaid 'Wild Grass #Russell Watson in excellent form#, 'Gold Can Turn to Sand' #Kevin Odekirk - with another idea that appears and disappears very quickly#, and the brilliant rendition of 'You Have to be There' #Helen Sjoholm#.
If the orchestrations I have been used to in the Swedish version sometimes disappear in this production #I especially found this in 'Emperors and Kings#, it is a small price to pay and in no way takes away from a 5 Star recommendation. ABBA it is not if new-comers are looking for reminders of a distant past. But the music repays several listens and just shows us how talented Bjorn and Benny are, as 'Chess' showed #with Tim Rice on lyrics of course#.
After all this time #'Kristina' goes back to the mid -1990's#, surely Bjorn and Benny have got another musical in them!! Until they produce another one, open a bottle of wine, lay back with your eyes closed, and enjoy 'Kristina!'
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having been a big fan of Benny and Bjorns masterpiece Krsitina fran Duvemala since its incpetion on the Swedish stage in 1995, we finallly have an English translation release - live from Carnegie Hall New York last September which I attended. Benny and Bjorn commenced work in 1990 on this epic telling the story of the fate of the Swedish Immigerants moving to America in the second half of the 19th century.
Over a million Swedes saw the stage production clocking in at over three hours. But they did not mind as Benny's folk traditions wove their web around Bjorns lyrics.
Finally a UK premiere on 14th April at the Royal Albert Hall, and the timely release of this masterpiece featuring Helen Sjholm, Russel Watson, Kevin Odekirk and Louise Pitre.
Do not expect ABBA whatsoever, what you have here a mature piece of work from B + B with many future classics. The highlight for me is You Have to Be There sung by Helen which simply is the best work they have ever written.
Simply stunning and moving *****
Over a million Swedes saw the stage production clocking in at over three hours. But they did not mind as Benny's folk traditions wove their web around Bjorns lyrics.
Finally a UK premiere on 14th April at the Royal Albert Hall, and the timely release of this masterpiece featuring Helen Sjholm, Russel Watson, Kevin Odekirk and Louise Pitre.
Do not expect ABBA whatsoever, what you have here a mature piece of work from B + B with many future classics. The highlight for me is You Have to Be There sung by Helen which simply is the best work they have ever written.
Simply stunning and moving *****
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was completely unaware of this work and probably would have remained so had I not been a huge fan of Russell Watson, so I am grateful that wanting to hear him singing in it brought it to my attention. I was completely captivated the moment I heard it. An extremely emotive and moving story of the hardships faced by the Swedish migrants who faced the unknown in search of a better life for themselves and their families, I couldn't help feeling empathy for them.
The work is beautifully sung by the whole company, full of passion, excellent performances. Helen Sjoholm as 'Kristina' gives a heartfelt rendition of 'You Have To Be There' and I could feel her desperation and anguish. Russell Watson sings his part of her husband Karl Oscar magnificently and with great emotion, ranging from anger and frustration to the heart-melting tenderness of which he is always capable. Strong performances too from Kevin Odekirk and Louise Pitre as 'Robert' and 'Ulrika', and from the children and the rest of the cast.
I didn't know what to expect from the music but was pleasantly surprised with plenty of variation and one or two 'Whoa - Abba!' moments (especially in 'Lice'). The use of rock guitars especially in the second act seemed a bit incongruous at first and slightly weird but it all adds to the experience.
All in all, apart from a couple of cringe-making lines in the translation, it's a brilliant 'listen', and something I'll return to over and over again, as long as there are enough tissues in the world!
The work is beautifully sung by the whole company, full of passion, excellent performances. Helen Sjoholm as 'Kristina' gives a heartfelt rendition of 'You Have To Be There' and I could feel her desperation and anguish. Russell Watson sings his part of her husband Karl Oscar magnificently and with great emotion, ranging from anger and frustration to the heart-melting tenderness of which he is always capable. Strong performances too from Kevin Odekirk and Louise Pitre as 'Robert' and 'Ulrika', and from the children and the rest of the cast.
I didn't know what to expect from the music but was pleasantly surprised with plenty of variation and one or two 'Whoa - Abba!' moments (especially in 'Lice'). The use of rock guitars especially in the second act seemed a bit incongruous at first and slightly weird but it all adds to the experience.
All in all, apart from a couple of cringe-making lines in the translation, it's a brilliant 'listen', and something I'll return to over and over again, as long as there are enough tissues in the world!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Abbasolutely fantastic
Three show-stoppers and plenty more to enjoy. The music is sumptuous, moving, haunting and catchy.
"Never", "Gold can turn to sand" and "You have to be there" are... Read more
"Never", "Gold can turn to sand" and "You have to be there" are... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. S. Hall-roberts
Beautifully Brilliant!!
I LOVED this CD.. the music is beautifully written and the arrangements stunning.. I wish they'd do a run of it here in Australia as I'm sure it would be a sellout!
Published 6 months ago by pookyandjo
Brilliant!
excellent recording - and, if nothing else, well worth it for just two of the songs - both of which must go down in the top ten songs of the century so far - 'You Have To Be There'... Read more
Published 7 months ago by andrew
Dumbed Down Kristina...
This English concert version of Kristina is a curious companion piece to the Original Swedish set.
Helen Sjholm in the title role is superb as always and remains the star of... Read more
Helen Sjholm in the title role is superb as always and remains the star of... Read more
Published 11 months ago by D. Hutton
Russell Watson / Kristina ~ The Abba boys' opera
TO fans of Russell Watson and The Abba Boys', Benny and Bjorn,
This recording is a revelation about the abilities of both. Read more
This recording is a revelation about the abilities of both. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Malc Vernone
Subtle, evocative and compelling
Sadly I was out of the country when Kristina was performed at the Albert Hall last year, which I now realise was more of a loss than I ever imagined. Read more
Published 17 months ago by J. N. ESQ
Bring tears to your eyes
All I'll say is this: I saw this performance in NY and it made a grown man cry! By the time you get to I'll Be Waiting There you've truly been through the wringer - but it a good... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Leepy
Kristina the musical to watch out for
I saw the UK premiere of Kristina in concert at the Royal Albert Hall in April. Apart from one song "You have to be there" it was all completely new to me but as a huge Benny and... Read more
Published 22 months ago by A. M. Rees
Great Musical for Abba Fans
Can't say very much about the actual CD myself as I bought it as a gift for a friend who had been to see the show at the 'Royal Albert Hall'. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Avid Listener
Wonderful Music
Although I was unable to see the live show of Kristina.I have soooo much enjoyed this CD.Being an ardent admirer of anything Russell Watson is in meant I was bound to love the... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Mrs. M. Davies
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