Phantom of the Opera (Easy Piano)

• Includes - All I Ask Of You, Angel Of Music, Masquerade, The Music Of The Night, The Phantom Of The Opera, The Point Of No Return, Prima Donna, Think Of Me, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again

Soundtrack to the long awaited film adaptation of the blockbuster stage musical.For better or worse, Andrew Lloyd Webber's adaptation of Gaston Leroux's gothic horror/romance novel has done for stage musicals what Spielberg's Jaws did for fish stories, with worldwide sales of its original cast album approaching 25 million. While director Joel Schumacher's film turns on his typically ambitious visual verve, its new film soundtrack recording has been paradoxically focused in scope, yet beefed up dynamically via the brawny presence of a hundred piece orchestra and The London Boys Choir. This single disc version showcases all of Phantom's key songs (a deluxe, double-disc edition is also availa! ble), with Gerard Butler imparting a welcome, youthful sensuality to his Phantom, making a fine foil for Emmy Rossum's ever-conflicted Christine. Original show orchestrator David Cullen has fashioned compelling new contemporary arrangements to frame Webber's songs -- which now conclude with the lilting, upbeat new ballad he wrote for the film, "Learn to Be Lonely," sung by Minnie Driver. --Jerry McCulleyThe Royal Albert Hall in London comes alive to the passionate melodies and songs from the shows of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Enjoy the magic of this night of a thousand stars. Directed by: David MalletIn 1998 a concert at the Royal Albert Hall celebrated Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's 50th birthday and featured more than two hours of hits from a body of work spanning almost three decades. In this keepsake of a memorable night, star after star steps on to a massive, Eurovision-style set to revisit golden moments in their long association with Britain's most successful composer! of musicals. Elaine Paige in big frocks and an even bigger vo! ice deli vers "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" and "Memory" with her usual power; Michael Ball and Donny Osmond stretch the last vestiges of boyish charm to the very limits but still sound great; and Boyzone gets the youth vote. Then there are Kiri Te Kanawa, Bonnie Tyler, Tina Arena, and, of course, another encore for brother Julian Lloyd Webber and those Variations on the cello. But the stars are Sir Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Brightman in an outstanding selection from The Phantom of the Opera (probably his best work), Antonio Banderas (who really can sing), and Glenn Close, a stupendous, moving Norma Desmond in songs from Sunset Boulevard. All in all, a deserved celebration for someone who has given so many people a great deal of pleasure, and a treat for musicals fans of all ages. --Piers FordThis souvenir folio features full-color photos from the stunning production as well as piano/vocal arrangements of 9 songs, including: All I Ask of You * Angel of Music * Masqu! erade * The Music of the Night * The Phantom of the Opera * The Point of No Return * Prima Donna * Think of Me * Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again.This piano/vocal book includes nine favorite songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash blockbuster musical The Phantom of the Opera. Sing Christine's star-making aria "Think of Me," the Phantom's haunting ballad "The Music of the Night," or the love duet "All I Ask of You." The book includes bios of Lloyd Webber and lyricists Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe as well as 11 pages of production photos featuring Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. --David Horiuchi