I’m late to the party on this one but I did listen to it when it was released, on my phone at an Anime Conventions I’m sure it was intended to be listen to in that manner. This post is off the cuff.

So first off this is a very lovely version. It is technically very well done. The orchestration and Groban’s voice is very pleasing. However Groban does not have the power and emotion of Bruno Pelletier or Matteo Setti of the Italian cast, I’m sure there are other great Gringoires I’m just lazy and I don’t feel like listening to the song over 20 times to list on in a tangent.

Also another personal issue I have and this could relate to the lack of power is that Groban seems disconnect to the lyrics. I’m sure he is know what he is singing but the language could just disconnect him a bit. Though I do recall him singing in other language and hearing more passion so maybe that wasn’t it.

It is a very pretty version and I like that people who may have not heard the song otherwise get a taste of the musical.

Pre- order Josh Groban’s Stages

Also Groban was in this movie which I love so despite my criticism I don’t care, anyone who was ever in one these movies is  beyond reproach, beyond it I say (not really.)

This video is from the Victor Hugo Musical Gala.

It features Nadia Bel, Matt Laurent, Robert Marien, Bruno Pelletier, Richard Charest, Sophie Tremblay all singing Le Temps des Cathédrales.

These videos are from “Chabada” a French Tv Show from Decemeber 4 2011 with the orginal cast of Notre Dame de Paris (except Bruno Pellatier) right before the reunion concerts. The last video is the whole thing, so if you have 50minutes to kill, give it a watch or watch the song clips. I think I got all them. Enjoy!

 

 

This Video is Garou (oringal Notre Dame de Paris Quasimodo) and Damien Sargue (the original alternate for Phoebus and Gringoire but is most known for playing Romeo in Romeo and  Juliette) singing Le  Temps des Cathédrales. The song starts at 58 seconds. Garou makes Quasimodo faces and Damien is wearing a Romeo costume.

Enjoy