You mention that KC went from an operatic to vaudvillian-style of singing in the OBC while AG was more polished. I agree to a certain extent. I believe KC was singing and, in a way, exxagerating her singing styles as to emphasize her acting on stage which we all know has to be amplified it order to play to the back of the house. AG sings more polished, I believe, because the film medium afforded her the ability to sing in a more nuanced fashion as film can capture better micro expressions. I believe their recordings reflect this. And really the entire album. I am one of the few who saw Wicked during its previews in SF in 2003 and have been a fan ever since. And as much as I love the OBC and believe that Idina and Kristen are absolutel legends, I have to say that the film soundtrack is in general a much better version of this material. Both Cynthia and Ariana were able to add more nuance and complexity to these characters simply because of the film medium and it is evident in the entire recording. I will always cherish and listen to the OBC and I suspect many will continue to prefer it but I and, I suspect, most people (and especially the newer, non-theater fans) will use the film soundtrack as their new standard. Unlike you, though, I think pretty much the entire film soundtrack does it better than the OBC.
Yeah, the more I listen the more I think it's overdone orchestrally, employing same maximalism as the film itself. But your points are highly salient, and do appreciate so much you took the time to watch and leave such a considered response!
You mention that KC went from an operatic to vaudvillian-style of singing in the OBC while AG was more polished. I agree to a certain extent. I believe KC was singing and, in a way, exxagerating her singing styles as to emphasize her acting on stage which we all know has to be amplified it order to play to the back of the house. AG sings more polished, I believe, because the film medium afforded her the ability to sing in a more nuanced fashion as film can capture better micro expressions. I believe their recordings reflect this. And really the entire album.
I am one of the few who saw Wicked during its previews in SF in 2003 and have been a fan ever since. And as much as I love the OBC and believe that Idina and Kristen are absolutel legends, I have to say that the film soundtrack is in general a much better version of this material. Both Cynthia and Ariana were able to add more nuance and complexity to these characters simply because of the film medium and it is evident in the entire recording. I will always cherish and listen to the OBC and I suspect many will continue to prefer it but I and, I suspect, most people (and especially the newer, non-theater fans) will use the film soundtrack as their new standard. Unlike you, though, I think pretty much the entire film soundtrack does it better than the OBC.
Yeah, the more I listen the more I think it's overdone orchestrally, employing same maximalism as the film itself. But your points are highly salient, and do appreciate so much you took the time to watch and leave such a considered response!