Chess Benefit Concert Rehearsal - Endgame

[AnatloyChessPlayer]

I wish they would have used this ending in the 08 version. In my opinion Anatoly/The Russian comes off like such a dick if he betrays everyone and wins for his own selfish reasons. This to me is such a beautiful ending because even though he loses the title of world champion he is being selfless and showing how much he truly loves Florence.

[drjax1994]

I like the version they did in '08 best. I have seen/heard every version I can get my hands on and after the original concept the '08 concert is my fav. Plus the lyrics/plot is better than this concert (or what I've seen of it)

[FallingRedRose]

I really hate that there's no soundtrack to this wonderful performance.

[kgroundcontrol]

Josh can sing "never" to me any day!  All day long actually!

[berube4life]

which is the original way the never part is done .. this or the 2008 cast?

[Karpacz3]

Hey,your good...very nice singing,warm and soft

[juvaus07]

I think I prefer the 2008 version!

[xXBlackElphieXx]

Anyone know where to find this soundtrack?

[Vercatosso]

You can get it off amazon or ebay. It's pretty easy to find. There's a two-disc full soundtrack and there's also just a highlights album.

[Ob1MegOb1]

It doesn't seem to matter what version it is Josh always makes me shiver when he hits that Never everytime. And I knew Josh had done Chess before but how come I had never realized Adam had as well? Very cool. If Chess ever solidifies itself as a show I guess we know who will be playing Anatoly and Freddie :)

[MateoG7788]

I like this, but I prefer the London ending with Anatoly winning the final game.

[Vercatosso]

Anatoly does win the final game in this one.

[MateoG7788]

I'm pretty sure he loses in this version. At the end he says "So I lose today and tomorrow." This IS the American version where he sacrifices everything so Florence can be with her dad again. In the British version he wins for his love of chess since he has already lost everything else...

[Vercatosso]

I watched this two days ago -- Anatoly wins.

There's a vid of the performance, not just the rehersal:

(paste LPAObLkhd5U over b1TcxdRF2Xo in the url)

Go to 7:02. The Arbiter announces that Anatoly is the winner.

(sorry if this gets posted multiple times -- my browser is being strange)

[thesixtyfirstpupil]

@Vercatosso Actually, he loses in this version. I have the full video of the actual performance, and the Arbiter says "Freddie Trumper is the new world champion", hence the chorus singing "power moves West, ending an era. This is a great day for American chess". Just clarifying for those who are confused.

[Vercatosso]

@thesixtyfirstpupil wait -- is this the Actor's Fund concert or the Royal Albert Hall concert? They've both got Groban and Pascal, haha. Trumper wins in the Actor's Fund one; I guess that's what this one is. My bad! :)

[badnomad]

You have to admit, this Endgame is MUCH more dramatic in the operatic sense. (It has a Don Juan feel about his descent into loss and tragedy.) And then juxtaposed against the cheers of the audience over the American winning is so powerful against the noble sacrifice we witnessed.

[CowsAreForMilk]

Are you kidding? The Broadway version with David Carrol is phenomenal. The London version may be good, but it makes Anatoly come off as a jerk. This one, he is sacrificing his fame and fortune for someone he loves (Florence, so she can be with her father), *sigh*.

I love this musical--this version anyway. I'm probably more favorable towards this version because my mom raised my sister and me on it, so that could be why. I completely understand why people would rather him win though.

[ApathyStillRoars]

Personally I'd rather see him win to put his true passion first.

He was manipulated every which way by everyone but in the end proves that his real goal is just to be the best and win at his tue calling. Each to their own though.

[OnelineBand]

I THINK I know the dancer wearing black shorts and the white t-shirt..

[ColtraneAndRain]

amazing! I'd give an arm to see this live!

[ApathyStillRoars]

What version is this?

I don't recognise the lyrics to this version.

[fujisaii]

The American version. Frankly, I prefer the original London lyrics. In this one, Anatoly actually loses the match instead of winning.

[ApathyStillRoars]

Thanks.

I suspected this was the case. I agree. I think the London version is far superior.

The way it was rewritten ruined it. IMHO.

[Bohemius]

Anatoly loses? To Freddy or Viigand?

[ApathyStillRoars]

To Freddie.

He purposely loses and returns to the USSR so that Florence's father will be released. But the kick is that the man released is not her father it's an American spy. The KGB have just been clever in how they've got their man back.

[Bohemius]

Just like the Broadway version...bummer. It makes sense, but I guess I'm more partial to the Concert ending.

[ApathyStillRoars]

Yeah the American version IS the Broadway version.

Im with you, Im much more keen on the London original. I think the lyrics are better and fir better with the music.

But each to their own.

[Bohemius]

Oh! I thought that this production had a different book than the one produced back in the 80s, but they're identical? Shame.

[ladybird0708]

The original London version is actually much better!

[EriksChristine]

at 1:00 it looks like Joshie's angry. lol

[Simba92]

I guess he really got into his character

[EriksChristine]

guess so. Or maybe the lights were in his lovely eyes. lol

[Simba92]

OMG he held the 'NEVER' note for 7 seconds!

[EriksChristine]

God Josh has a beautiful voice. London is getting a wonderful treat. If they've never seen him in Concert.

[Simba92]

He sounds like an eagle rising into the sky :')

[SarahIdinaPhreakx3]

I saw him on Monday Night 12th he was amazing.

[ellbells126]

i used to have a link to the actual videos on google video, but I lost it and cant seem to find them again. can someone help me? I would love to see the full show. thanks!

[lmtidol]

Wait, Josh and Freddie sing in this rehersal video, but when you look at the actual video (Google Videos) they don't sing this. Did they cut the singing out from this?

[dansingajb]

I thought so too at first, but this is actually a different song. The one without the singing is the first chess game, and this one is "endgame," and this one is almost at the end of the show.

[spookythebando]

Adam Pascal was *meant* to be Freddie. At least he's got the voice for it... not sure on the acting part tho. haha

[jiinii]

i love josh

[listener1121]

What a find!!! I was there Sept 2003 at the Amsterdam and I've had to rely on my memory to recall these glorious notes of Josh's. Not any more!! Thanks so much for posting!!!

[iduefoscari]

If you go onto googlevideo you can see the whole show!I believe Adam Pascal may be the Freddie in the may London production!

[sylvesterbird]

Do they really have the whole show? I've seen ALMOST all of it, but the show from deal, now deal isn't there :( and it's official! Adam Pascal, Josh Groban, and Idina Menzel in London!!!!

[Kate1186]

I love what they combined in this version...just a little of the American...(since, yes it is by far the weaker version). I wished they'd put in "Press Conference" or "Commie Newspapers" from the complete Danish 2002 Cast version (my pride and joy).

Josh is amazing. He is really is the best Anatoly I've heard.

[lma3487]

Adam pascal looks like a lil thug in this!! lol aww

[pbeng12]

the american version of the chess musical is way weaker than the orig london version

[johnvaljean]

Yeah but this concert is 80% london and 20% broadway

[FUNCHOMCLALA]

Yeah they salvaged what they could. A weird hybrid this is. I have to say though, I'm sick of this being done "in concert".

[lgerage]

Josh makes this preformance brilliant

[MountainsGandalf]

The note Josh hits at 2:28....WOW!!! Thought I'd died and gone to heaven :)

[GlitteryUnicorn]

Oh...goodness.. Love the all the flat notes and Josh's NEVER... Woooo He definitely put me in a sweat :P

[lmw8880]

thanks for posting this. i know nothing about the show and was wondering if there are any other parts where josh and adam sing together. literally, they are two of my favorite singers and this would have been a dream to see! thank you!

[Betina1984]

Wow :) Thanks for posting that :D