The story involves a politically driven, Cold War–era chess tournament between two grandmasters, one American and the other Soviet Russian, and their fight over a woman who manages one and falls in love with the other.
Although the protagonists were not intended to represent any real individuals, the character of the American grandmaster (named Freddie Trumper in the stage version) was loosely based on Bobby Fischer, while elements of the story may have been inspired by the chess careers of Russian grandmasters Viktor Korchnoi and Anatoly Karpov.
Chess allegorically reflected the Cold War tensions present in the 1980s. The musical has been referred to as a metaphor for the whole Cold War, with the insinuation being made that the Cold War is itself a manipulative game. Released and staged at the height of the strong anti-communist agenda that came to be known as the "Reagan Doctrine", Chess addressed and satirized the hostility of the international political atmosphere of the 1980s.
The double LP, often referred to as a concept album or album musical, was released worldwide in the autumn of 1984. Liner notes included with the album featured a basic synopsis of the story in multiple languages along with song lyrics and numerous photos.
The music on the album was described by The New York Times as "a sumptuously recorded... grandiose pastiche that touches half a dozen bases, from Gilbert and Sullivan to late Rodgers and Hammerstein, from Italian opera to trendy synthesizer-based pop, all of it lavishly arranged for the London Symphony Orchestra with splashy electronic embellishments".
The album featured Murray Head, Tommy Körberg, Elaine Paige, and noted actor Denis Quilley in the role of Molokov.
A single from the album, "One Night in Bangkok", with verses performed by Murray Head and choruses performed by Anders Glenmark, became a worldwide smash, reaching #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The duet "I Know Him So Well" by Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson held the #1 spot on the UK singles charts for four weeks, winning the Ivor Novello Award in the process as the Best Selling Single ('A' Side).
Side A
A1. Merano - 6:59
A2. The Russian And Molokov/Where I Want To Be - 6:19
A3. Opening Ceremony - 9:18
A4. Quartet (A Model Of Decorum And Tranquility) - 2:17
Side B
B1. The American And Florence/Nobody's Side - 5:25
B2. Chess - 5:44
B3. Mountain Duet - 4:42
B4. Florence Quits - 2:52
B5. Embassy Lament (Vocals – Alan Byers, Leslie Fyson, Peter Bambo, Vernon Midgley) - 4:31
B6 Anthem - 3:05
Side C
C1. Bangkok/One Night In Bangkok (Vocals [Chorus, One Night In Bangkok] – Anders Glenmark) - 5:00
C2. Heaven Help My Heart - 3:29
C3. Argument - 6:02
C4. I Know Him So Well - 4:15
C5. The Deal (No Deal) - 9:21
C6. Pity The Child - 5:31
Side D
D1. Endgame - 10:46
D2. Epilogue: You And I/The Story Of Chess - 10:24
Principal cast
- The American – Murray Head
- The Russian – Tommy Körberg
- Florence – Elaine Paige
- Molokov – Denis Quilley
- The Arbiter – Björn Skifs
- Svetlana – Barbara Dickson
Companies, etc.
- Phonographic Copyright (p) – 3 Knights Ltd
- Copyright (c) – 3 Knights Ltd
- Published By – Union Songs AB
Credits
- Arranged By, Keyboards, Synthesizer – Anders Eljas, Benny Andersson
- Backing Vocals – Anders Glenmark, Karin Glenmark
- Backing Vocals [Additional] – Liza Öhman
- Bass – Rutger Gunnarsson
- Choir – The Ambrosian Singers
- Drums, Percussion – Per Lindvall
- Engineer, Mixed By – Michael B. Tretow
- Guitar – Lasse Wellander
- Orchestra – London Symphony Orchestra
- Orchestrated By, Conductor – Anders Eljas
- Producer, Liner Notes – Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Tim Rice
- Text By – W.R. Hartston
- Vocals – Barbara Dickson, Björn Skifs, Denis Quilley, Elaine Paige, Murray Head, Tommy Körberg
Notes
Release: 1984
Format: 2LP (Gatefold)
Genre: Musical
Label: RCA Records
Catalog# PL70500(2)
Prijs: €20,00
Vinyl: VG
Cover: VG
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