Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand - Yentl (1983 Film)

Love this CD!

I LOVE the music for this movie. I've had it on cassette for years and sing with it all the time. Just recently I decided that I should buy the CD. Why didn't I think of it sooner? I LOVE it! June 24, 2008

It doesn't get any better

This is the peak of the career of four huge and very talented artists, each master of his own domain.
The very touching and interesting movie is very well directed and interpreted, but the music easily surpasses all the movie's wonderful details. Even though most of the music will only make full sense in the context of the film it easily makes a lasting impression on anyone who listens to it without having ever known it.
This soundtrack is what every excellent artist aspires to achieve one day: find other kindred spirits, equally gifted, coming together at the right time with the right material and make everything work perfectly.
Yentl's soundtrack celebrates exactly this. You can't get any better than this.
Legrand and the Bergmans are in another level of artistic symbiosis. The songs seem to be the incarnation of something that already existed in an ideal platonic sphere and that all three had access to at the same time. Every note, word and harmony seem to have always existed somewhere, waiting to be reaped. I don't believe that any good musician would try to dare and change a single note without making a complete fool out of themselves. The arrangements penned by Legrand are the musical expansion of the songs, elaborately written and perfectly conducted. I would have loved to have been able to watch these sessions.
Barbra is at her absolute best. Never before did she have such cohesive material and she absolutely incorporates all of the music. Every note is sung the way it had to be and all her technique subordinates to the interpretation, making the result sound so natural, despite of it's complexity. Never before did she sound so good nor do I believe will she ever sound again.
My only complaint is regarding the existence of the two studio tracks, that simply can't compete with it's orchestral counterparts. I guess they had to be included because of the regular Streisand fan, but musically they can't compare, which doesn't mean that they aren't good: it's just that orchestral soundtrack is just about the highest musical standard one can achieve. IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS! May 23, 2008

A Feast for the Ears and Eyes

This movie has some of Barbra Streisand's best music in it, in my opinion. Based on a young Jewish woman's life in Russia, it gives a peek into the culture of Jews in that time and place. The music has a minor key plaintiveness and the scenes have visually stunning effects. It took me a long time to find a copy, but it is one of my treasures. August 23, 2007

"one of those moments" to treasure!

Yentl was Barbra Streisand's huge labor of love back in the 1980s. It told the story of a young woman forbidden to study the Torah back in the early 20th century, who then disguises herself as a young man to study at a school with her intellectual equals. Along with directing, producing, and starring in the movie, Barbra also found time to record the soundtrack to this beautiful film.

At a concert once, Barbra remarked how she liked songs from musicals because they told a story, and that is what these songs do. The very first song, "Where is it Written" begins the story, where Barbra wonders why women cannot have the same opportunities as men. Many other songs continue the story, such as the album's most famous track, "Papa, Can You Hear Me?," where she is praying to her father for strength to begin her charade, "No Wonder," in which Barbra observes Amy Irving's character as the "typical" woman a man loves: obedient, agreeable, and keeping to herself, "The Way He Makes Me Feel," where Yentl finds herself in love with a man who doesn't know she is a woman, and my favorite track on the album, "A Piece of Sky," where Yentl is off to America to live her dream, and she reflects on her journey.

While some songs are certainly catchier than others, they are all beautifully written and sung. Barbra mixes a perfect measure of emotion and insight into the music, making the album rewarding on many levels. It is perfect for a quiet evening at home, setting an atmosphere of calm and peaceful. Finally, it must be noted that at this point, Barbra's singing was better than ever, not only in hitting the necessary high notes, but also in holding her notes. I dare anyone not to be impressed by her final note in "A Piece of Sky," held for an amazing 20 seconds.

As of 2007, one can only wonder why this wonderful movie is not out on DVD yet. With all the garbage that is being released nowadays, this would be a refreshing change of pace. Until that day comes, however, the Yentl soundtrack is the next best thing. June 14, 2007

Yentl

I did not get the movie Yentl nor did I get the refund of $9.00 for the CD that I returned. I would still like to get the movie but you said you didn't have it.

I would like the refund.

Dione Smith March 9, 2007

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