Frequently Asked Questions > Print Sources

Deutsch, Didier C., ed. VideoHound's Soundtracks: Music from the Movies, Broadway, and Television. Detroit: Visible Ink Press, 1998. ISBN 1578590256.

xviii, 1024 p. Includes information on and reviews of recordings of stage and film musicals on pages 489-638, arranged alphabetically by the show's title. Gives the date of the original production or film release, the release date of the recording, the record label and serial number, and the album's credits (composer, lyricist, cast principals, recording engineers, music director, orchestrator, and vocal arranger). Includes a list of song titles. Gives a short paragraph review of the recording and a rating out of five "bones." Includes indexes for titles, composers, producers, orchestrators, conductors, performers, and song titles.

Erlewine, Michael, et al., eds. All Music Guide: the Expert's Guide to the Best CDs, Albums, and Tapes 3rd ed. San Francisco: Miller Freeman Books, 1997.

xii, 1499 p. The Soundtrack / Cast Recording section (edited by William Ruhlmann) is found on pages 964-990. Several cast recordings are mistakenly placed in the Soundtrack list rather than in the Cast Recording list. Some compilation albums are included. Recordings are arranged alphabetically by title. Provides the production or film's premiere date, the record label (but no record serial number), a list of cast principals, and a short, signed review. Includes an index of performers (members of the cast), an appendix of record companies' and mail order houses' addresses, and a bibliography of books and magazine about recordings.

Gänzl, Kurt. The Blackwell Guide to Musical Theatre on Record. Oxford: Basil Blackwell Ltd., 1990. ISBN 0-631-16517-7.

xiv, 547 p. The first half attempts to cover the majority of recordings of British, French, German, Austrian, and Hungarian operettas and British and American Pre-War musicals. The second half (selectively) covers recordings of American and British musicals in the 40+ years since the invention of the LP. Divided into chapters by region and chronologically. Provides information about the shows and reviews of their recordings. When multiple recordings of a show exist, G?nzl makes recommendations (focusing on original casts, but including many foreign and studio recordings) on which recordings are most worthy (in his opinion) to purchase. Each chapter ends with a list of 10 essential and other recommended recordings (including record label and serial number). Includes an index of mentioned performers, composers, lyricists, and show titles.

Miletich, Leo N. Broadway's Prize-Winning Musicals: an Annotated Guide for Libraries and Audio Collectors. New York: Haworth Park Press, 1993. ISBN 1-56023-018-5

xviii, 255 p. Provides information on and reviews of various cast recordings. Arranged in 5 sections: Tony-winning best musicals and best scores, New York Drama Critics Circle Award-winning musicals, Pulitzer Prize-winning musicals, Grammy Award-winning musicals, and a selective list other musicals. The first 4 sections are arranged chronologically and the finale section is arranged alphabetically. Provides author credits, premiere dates, a list of principal cast members, selected song titles, record label and serial number numbers, and reviews of the recordings available. Miletich tends to favor and recommend the original cast recordings of each musical. Includes a song title index, a general index of authors, performers, and show titles; and appendixes covering reference resources, noteworthy compilation recordings, tips on locating recordings, and a description of recordings released just before the book went to press.

Osbourne, Jerry. The Official Price Guide to Movie / TV Soundtracks & Original Cast Albums. N.p.: House of Collectibles, 1997. 2nd edition. ISBN 0676600441.

672 p. Illustrated. Lists over 10,000 prices for cast recordings, soundtracks, and extended play singles. Arranged in alphabetical order by title. Gives year of release and price. Includes composer, cast, and conductor index and information on record grading, how to sell your collection, and where to locate hard-to-find recordings.

Show Music. Las Vegas: Max Preeo and the Goodspeed Opera House Foundation, Quarterly.

The premiere magazine today covering the musical theatre. Includes reviews of new and re-released recordings and news of upcoming recordings. For information about the current issue visit http://www.goodspeed.org/sm/curris.htm. For subscription information, visit http://www.goodspeed.org/sm/order.htm.

Walker, Matt, ed. Gramophone Musicals Good CD Guide. N.p.: Gramophone Publications Ltd., 1997. ISBN 0902470914.

300 p. Provides reviews (longer than the brief reviews in the All Music Guide and VideoHound's Soundtracks) of 400 cast recordings and compilations on CD. In cases where multiples recordings of a show exist, makes recommendations on which to purchase. Arranged alphabetically by composers' last names (including cross-references for major lyricists). Provides record label and serial number, the year of the production, and a list of principal cast members. At the end of each composer section, additional recordings and compilations (with recording labels and serial numbers) are listed. Includes an index of show titles, a list of compilations, an appendix of record companies', cast recording distributors', mail-order houses', and cast recording dealers' addresses; and a bibliography of reference books and periodicals about cast recordings.

Engel, Lehman. The American Musical Theatre. New York: MacMillan, 1975. ISBN 0-02-536080-9.

xx, 266 p. Discusses the American musical theatre. P. 201-10 discusses cast recordings. Includes a selective discography of American musicals (p. 229-41) arranged by show title and providing record label (but no serial numbers).

Gänzl, Kurt. Gänzl's Book of the Broadway Musical. New York: Schirmer Books, 1995. ISBN 0028708326.

xxiv, 488 p. Covers the musical theatre of Broadway. The discography (p. 466-57) lists stage and stage-related studio cast recordings available on CD of the shows covered in the book. Provides record label and serial number.

Gänzl, Kurt and Andrew Long. Gänzl's Book of the Musical Theatre. London: The Bodley Head, 1988. ISBN 0370311574.

xv, 1353 p. Companion to Kobbe's Complete Opera Book. Provides synopses for British, French, American, Austrian, German, Hungarian, and Spanish musicals. A discography (p. 1229-1277) lists production location, cast principals, and record label and serial number for recordings of the musicals covered.

Green, Stanley. Broadway Musicals: Show By Shows. Milwaukee, WI : H. Leonard Pub. Corp., 1997. 5th edition. ISBN 0793577500.

xix, 386 p. Cover shows in chronological order, providing show credits, cast and song lists, synopses and discussion, and record label (but no record serial number) for major stage cast and studio cast recordings.

Green, Stanley. The World of Musical Comedy. New York: A. S. Barnes, 1980. ISBN 0-498-02344-3.

xiv, 480 p. Discusses musicals and operettas in chapters divided by composers. Includes a selected discography appendix, arranging shows by composer in a rough chronology of the composer's emergence in the musical and operetta world. Provides show credits, premiere and run information, a list of cast principals and major songs, the record label and serial number of available recordings, and a brief evaluation of the score and recording.

Harris, Steve. Film, Television, and Stage Music on Phonographic Records: a Discography. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1988. ISBN 0-899-50251-2.

ix, 445 p. Divided into 3 sections: film, television, and stage recordings. Each section is arranged by album title (and each includes an addendum of "related" records). Provides a description (e.g. songs, underscoring, dialogue, etc), the performing artist or cast, the name of composer (but not lyricist), record label and serial number, and the year of release. Covers recordings up to December 1986 releases.

Hodgins, Gordon W. The Broadway Musical: a Complete LP Discography. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1980. ISBN 0-8108-1343-2

v, 183 p. Provides information on recordings of Broadway musicals up to 1980, focusing on recordings offered by major record labels. Arranged by the title of the show. Gives the record label and serial number, a list of cast principals and description of the production (i.e. Original Cast, Revival Cast, etc.), the credits (composer, lyricist, librettist, and source of the material if an adaptation), and a listing of songs (excluding tracks titled Overture, Finale, and any reprises). Includes indexes for the composer, lyricist and librettist, performers, many song titles (omitting title songs), and famous composer-lyricist teams. Includes an appendix of sequential listings of recordings on 5 major record labels by record serial numbers and an appendix of recordings the author was not able to find full information on that readers may still want to know about.

Horowitz, Mark Eden. Sondheim on Music: Minor Details and Major Decisions. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 2003. ISBN 0-8108-4437-0.

Sondheim on Music is primarily a transcript of a series of interviews with Stephen Sondheim, focusing on his work as a composer. During the interviews, he and the author look through Sondheim's manuscripts and sketches and discuss the creative process. The discussions focus on six shows: Passion, Assassins, Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, Sweeney Todd, and Pacific Overtures, but every Sondheim score comes up in conversation. Among the topics discussed, are how Sondheim approaches musicalizing characters and dramatic moments, how motifs and thematic material are created and used, how harmony, melody, and rhythm reflect character, the structuring of a score, the use of pastiche, and the practical aspects of collaboration. In addition to the interviews, the book includes Sondheim's list of "Songs I wish I'd Written," his reasons behind some of those choices, and the messages he received from composers and lyricists whose songs were included on the list. An exhaustive Songlisting and a Discography follow, which attempt to list every commercial recording of a Sondheim song, and provide publishing information with vocal ranges.

Hummel, David. The Collector's Guide to the American Musical Theatre. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1984. 2 vol. ISBN 0-8108-1637-7.

Vol. 1, xliv, 662 p. Vol. 2, not paginated. Arguably one of the most comprehensive listings of cast recordings of shows that have appeared in the United States. Includes commercially released LPs, 45s, 78s, demo and private recordings, and live recordings. Vol. 1 features the shows arranged in alphabetical order by show title (including some cross references for alternate titles), providing the show's working titles (if any), author credits (composer, lyricist, librettist, and source material if an adaptation), date and location of premiere in America, and number of performances. Also includes a list of all songs appearing in the show (noting songs dropped before the premiere, added later in the run, and for later productions or for film or television versions). Last is the list of recordings of the show (including recordings of excerpts). Includes designation of which cast is performing, soundtrack, studio, live, or private recording, a list of cast principals and the conductor (if known), record label and serial number, sound type (mono/stereo) and recording quality for live recordings, and a list of all songs that appear on that recording. Copious notes explain special situations. Includes a list of recording sources (now out of date) and a bibliography of references. Vol. 2 is an index of all listed performers, composers, lyricists, and librettists.

Includes the following introductory essays: "The British Musical" by Rexton S. Bunnett, "Australian Theatre on Disc" by Peter Pinne, and "The Musical Theatre in Canada -- On Stage and on Record" by Glenn Atchison (which all include record label and serial numbers for the recordings discussed); and an annotated bibliography on "Researching the Pre-LP Original Cast Recording" by Larry Warner.

Jackson, Arthur. The Best Musicals: From Show Boat to A Chorus Line. New York: Crown, 1977. ISBN 0-517-53122-4.

208 p. Discusses the musical theatre. Includes a selected discography of stage and film musical scores, arranged by title and providing record labels and serial numbers. Also provides a filmography of filmed stage musicals, arranged by show title and providing date of original stage production, film studio, release date of film, and the change of title for the film when applicable.

Lynch, Richard Chigley. Broadway, Movie, TV, and Studio Cast Musicals on Record: a Discography of Recordings, 1985-1995. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1996. ISBN 0-313-29855-6.

xi, 254 p. Provides information on commercially released recordings arranged in alphabetical order by show titles. Gives the type of show (stage, film, animated feature, or studio cast), the record label and serial number, indications of mono or stereo, the total length of the recording, the composer/lyricist/music director, the premiere date and premiere location of the show, a list of cast principals, a song list (noting the performers of the tracks), and any special notes. This volume also includes material unknown at the time of Lynch's Broadway on Record, so the dates given (1985-1995) are not exact. Includes a chronological listing of all the shows by premiere date and indexes for the performers and the technical people involved (composer, lyricist, and musical director).

Lynch, Richard Chigley. Broadway on Record: A Directory of New York Cast Recordings of Musical Shows 1931-1986. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1987.

x, 347 p. Provides information on 459 commercially released Broadway and Off-Broadway cast recordings arranged alphabetically by the show's title. Gives the premiere date and premiere location of the show, the record label and serial number, indications of mono or stereo, the total length of the recording, the composer/lyricist/music director, a list of cast principals, a song list (noting the performers of the tracks), and any special notes. Includes a chronological listing of all the shows by premiere date and indexes for the performers and the technical people involved (composer, lyricist, and musical director).

Lynch, Richard Chigley. Movie Musicals on Record: A Directory of Recordings of Motion Pictures Musicals 1927-1987. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1990. ISBN 0-313-26540-2.

x, 445 p. Provides information on 666 commercially released film soundtracks, including 6500 song titles (intended as a companion to Broadway on Record). Albums are arranged in alphabetical by the film title. Gives the film company and release date (and county of origin if a foreign film), the record label and serial number, indications of mono or stereo, the composer/lyricist/music director, a list of cast principals, a song list (noting the performers of the tracks), and any special notes. Includes a chronological listing of the films by release date and indexes for the performers and technical people involved (composer, lyricist, and music director).

Lynch, Richard Chigley. TV and Studio Cast Musicals on Record: A Discography of Television Musicals and Studio Recordings of Stage and Film Musicals. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1990. ISBN 0-313-27324-3.

352 p. Provides information on 657 commercially released television musicals and studio recordings of musicals. Albums are arranged in alphabetical by the film title. Gives the origin of the recording and release date, the record label and serial number, indications of mono or stereo, the composer/lyricist/music director, a list of cast principals, a song list (noting the performers of the tracks), and any special notes. Includes a chronological listing of the television productions, studio casts, and film recordings by release date and indexes for the performers and technical people involved (composer, lyricist, and music director).

Pitts, Michael R. and Louis H. Harrison. Hollywood on Record: The Film Star's Discography. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1978. ISBN 0-8108-1093-X.

xi, 411 p. Provides information on recordings by famous film stars (many of whom have appeared on the stage or in film musicals). Arranged alphabetically by the performer's last name. Provides a list of albums, cast recordings, soundtracks, compilation albums, and 45s the performer has appeared on. Gives the album title, record label and serial number.

Raymond, Jack. Show Music on Record: the First 100 Years. Washington: Smithsonian Institute Press, 1992. ISBN 1-56098-151-2.

429 p. A discography of English language recordings of stage, film, and television musicals (1843-1987). Arranged in chronological order by premiere date (subsequent revival and studio recordings are listed along with the premiere recording. Includes an appendix of solo artist and anthology albums. Provides show credits (including composer, lyricist, conductor, and sometimes the orchestrator), cast principals, and record label and serial number. Includes a index by show titles and an index of names.

Raymond, Jack. Show Music on Record: the First 100 Years. Falls Church, VA: Jack Raymond (privately published), 1998.

586 p. Updated version of above.

Rimler, Walter. A Gershwin Companion: A Critical Inventory and Discography. Ann Arbor, MI: Popular Culture, Ink, 1991.

xiv, 488 p. A discussion and discography of Gershwin song compositions. In two sections (published and unpublished material), each arranged chronologically. Provides performer and record label and serial number of available recordings for each song. Includes an indexes for the recording artists, composition and show titles, and a general index.

Rust, Brian A. L. London Musical Shows on Record, 1894-1954. London: British Institute of Recorded Sound, 1958.

i, 207 p.

Seeley, Robert. London musical shows on record, 1889-1989 : a hundred years of London's musical theatre. Harrow, Middlesex, Great Britain : General Gramophon Publications Ltd., 1989.

ii, 457 p. Revised and updated edition of Rust's book.

Smolian, Steven. A Handbook of Film, Theatre, and Television Music on Record, 1948-1969. New York: The Record Undertaker, 1970. 2 vols.

Vol. 1, 64 p. Vol. 2, 64 p. Vol. 1 lists film, television, and stage musical recordings in alphabetical order, providing production location or type, composer, record label and serial number, release date, and cut-out date if out-of-print. Vol. 2 has a composer index and record label index, listing recordings by serial number. Includes an addendum and correction sheet.

Last updated 4/2/2003. Send comments to Mike Benedetto.