Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Merano - Murray Head, The Ambrosian Singers, London Symphony Orchestra, Anders Eljas
2. The Russian And Molokov/Where I Want To Be - Denis Quilley, Tommy Körberg, The Ambrosian Singers, London Symphony Orchestra, Anders Eljas
3. Opening Ceremony - Björn Skifs, The Ambrosian Singers, London Symphony Orchestra, Anders Eljas
4. Quartet (A Model Of Decorum And Tranquillity) - Elaine Paige, Tommy Körberg, Denis Quilley, Björn Skifs
5. The American And Florence/Nobody's Side - Elaine Paige, Murray Head
6. Chess - London Symphony Orchestra, Anders Eljas
7. Mountain Duet - Tommy Körberg, Elaine Paige, London Symphony Orchestra, Anders Eljas
8. Florence Quits - Elaine Paige, Murray Head
9. Embassy Lament - Tommy Körberg, The Ambrosian Singers, London Symphony Orchestra, Anders Eljas
10. Anthem - Tommy Körberg

Disc 2:

1. Bangkok/One Night In Bangkok - Murray Head
2. Heaven Help My Heart - Elaine Paige, London Symphony Orchestra, Anders Eljas
3. Argument - Elaine Paige, Tommy Körberg
4. I Know Him So Well - Elaine Paige, Barbara Dickson
5. The Deal (No Deal) - Murray Head, Tommy Körberg, Elaine Paige
6. Pity The Child - Murray Head
7. Endgame - Murray Head, Tommy Körberg, Elaine Paige, Denis Quilley, Barbara Dickson, The Ambrosian Singers, London Symphony Orchestra, Anders Eljas
8. Epilogue: You And I/The Story Of Chess - Elaine Paige, Tommy Körberg, The Ambrosian Singers, London Symphony Orchestra, Anders Eljas

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1760 in Music
• Released on: 1996-03-04
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: Box set, Soundtrack
• Running time: 93 minutes

From the Artist
Just a quickie to thank all who have made kind Amazon comments about Chess (I have only just discovered them, having been told about them by my daughter). The music of Chess still sounds as wonderful today as it did when we recorded the original album in 1984 and I honestly believe B&B's work here stands comparison with any post-war musical. I will not comment on the words! We are all determined to produce a theatrical version of the show that matches up to the quality of the score before we shuffle off this mortal coil. To date productions have ranged from the reasonable to the dire. I am convinced that if we stick to the original structure, resisting the tempatation to "explain" everything by unnecessary dialogue, we can make a stage show work and put this marvellous score up there where it belongs. The Danish CD is a good one by the way (nothing to do with us). Tim Rice

Customer Reviews

NEVER BEEN BETTERED
This album has has never been far away from my CD player since it was released around 23 years ago. The music surprised a lot of people at the time because it wasn't completely representative of the Abba style. In the theatre the music is completely overwhelming. I managed to see the production 3 times, twice with the original cast and that is why I would recommend this recording above all others. Some of the players are different but the American, Russian & Florence were as heard on the CD's. The Swedish touring version mentioned further down is excellent, in that it includes the ending as we knew it & other bits and pieces. Still vocally this is the superior version and no one has sung Florence better than Elaine Paige. A pity it wasn't recorded again in full after they had done their stint on stage as there performances altered and grew in stature. Buy this it's a classic. The touring is good but forget the American highlights, vocals mainly overblown or very wobbly.

a musical masterpiece!
25 years on and with the musical getting a new lease of life with a sold out world tour coming i though it was time that this musical got the regonition it deserved the first time round!

after the break up of abba, benny and bjorn and musical legend tim rice put this together and it must be one of the most underestimated musical scores of all time...at times immensely classical..at times pure 80s pop..at times westend/ broadway standard...its stunning in its complexity!

set against a background of a world chess tournament and the cold war between the usa and russia.."the cold war" as it was known at the time..its the story of a love affair between an married american chess player and a russian players interpreter.(set against the politics and complexities of the situation)

the theme of the cold war may be long gone but the basic story is still relavant if a little complex and i recommend you read the synopsis as you listen to understand the story!

as well as the huge hits "i know him so well" and "one night in bangkok" every song is a gem in its own right..."nobodys side" and "heaven help my heart" by elaine paige are stunning! one a bitter ode to lost love you could imagine frida singing..the other a classic love song which if agnetha sang would break your heart! "pity the child" a lyrically amazing track about insecurity which uses the backing from "like an angel passing through my room" from abbas "visitors" album!

but there is so much more!

the musical was not a huge success internationally...i think people got lost along the way with the story in the theatre..but once you know the story it all makes sense and you can indulge yourself in the musical and lyrical mastery of the album!

fans of abba will love the next stage...fans of musical theatre will love the epic feel of the album...classical music fans will love the huge immense orchestration...fans of great theatrical vocals will adore elaine paige, barbara dickson and lesser known swedish artists who play the main roles but have all the vocal power of international stars

CHESS THE CONCEPT ALBUM
I have the original Vinyl Album and I am trying hard to find it on CD.
This album overwelming and the production and casting is absolutly fantastic. The final duet sung by Elaine Paige Tommy Korberg is one of the most moving duets I have ever heard.
If any one can advise where I can obtain the CD version I would be so grateful as the Vinyl is not in pristene condition and the Tape I made in the 80s does not sound much better.