MovieChat Forums > Carousel (1956) Discussion > Overture

Overture

posted 19 years ago by me254065
6 replies | jump to latest

Has anybody heard the alternate Overture to Carousel? It lasts 3.05 minutes and his different, with some remaining themes. I prefer it personally.

[–] justoldbill 19 years ago

If you are referring to the original Capitol stereo soundtrack LP (and the first Capitol CD release), the "Carousel Waltz" represented is roughly the last half of the complete "Carousel Waltz" recorded specifically for the soundtrack album, as it appeared on the mono LP and subsequent Angel CD releases.

If you are referring to the actual "Main Title" sequence of the film, both it and the complete soundtrack album waltz suite appear on the most recent Angel CD release. They are, of course, two separate recordings.

[–] rorysa 19 years ago

There are, I believe, three versions of the "Carousel Waltz" in the film, plus the one recorded for the soundtrack album. That may be Al Newman's most recorded song!

[–] justoldbill 19 years ago

Well, the waltz melody is used as underscoring for the prologue and credits, the amusement park scene, the scene where Mrs. Mullin tries to persuade Billy to come back to her and within the Louise Ballet, but Newman seems to have used "I Have Dreamed" even more in the underscoring of THE KING AND I, even without the use of the actual song. Once Newman got a hold of a good melody, he seldom let go of it. His touch fitted CAROUSEL and THE KING AND I perfectly, just as Adolph Deutsch's lighter touch was perfect for OKLAHOMA!

[–] laurence01 17 years ago

I think the piece you are refering to may actuly be the stage "enteracte". Carousel has never had an overture. On stage the entire waltz suite is played as a prologue with the cast on stage performing a mime like dance representing who they are and sections of the show.

[–] laxlon 17 years ago

I have the LP which is about 50 years old and a more recent CD, The Carousel Waltz is shorter on the CD, both, not as wonderful.

[–] rorysa 17 years ago

The original Mono version of the LP had the entire recording; shortly thereafter the Stereo version was released with the first half of the waltz disappointingly eliminated==something about fewer grooves being available.