Well, I have now heard any other version of the musical. Both the German version with Peter Hoffmann, as well as the version of Vienna. But the Uraufnahme from Phantom of the Opera in London with the Origial cast with Micheal Crawford is, although oldest, absolutely brilliant recording. Right behind it is the English highlights recording and the Wiener total intake.
Even the movie recording with Gerard Butler or the German recording of the latter with Kröger was I think his name was, was no better, also good but not better than this recording.
It really struck me very hard to pick the "right thing" in all these versions.
For a real fan I would recommend this English Gesamtaufnahme whom all that matters is the songs themselves (where they are of course longer) for the highlights edition would be right and for the Phantom fan who is the english quite averse would I suggest the Viennese recording. The Hamburg version is very nice respect. The deep tenor voice of Hoffmann, but the orchestra in the English and Viennese recording is much higher and sounds much better and fuller.
And based on the Fill Of course you can select the tracks!
5 Stars. There is nothing more to say.
