Play It Again and Again

Chess: The Musical

For someone who loves melody, harmony, great lyrics, fine singing and chess, I can't believe I missed this musical for as long as I did!

Many of you will remember Chess- The Musical's hit song, One Night in Bangkok, which was a Top Ten hit for Murray Head in 1985. While listening to an old EP of that song on headphones, I became intrigued by the samples of other songs from the musical that were placed intermittently during the mix. I mentioned to my husband that I'd like to hear the rest of it, and two weeks later he gave me the CD for my birthday.

It has taken up residence in my portable CD player. For over two months. Okay, I'll admit I have changed the CD. That's because this is a two CD set. I switch.

You ask, "How can she listen to the same CD, even if it is a double CD, for two months straight? " I'll tell you. It's THAT good.

I am sorry now that I never took up dancing or figure skating. This music is so powerful I can see the programs and dance movements in my head. And I want to express this music, somehow.

Lets begin with the team that wrote it. Tim Rice has so many credits - Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, and Beauty and the Beast to name a few. He had the idea to write a musical about the Cold War and its impact on the people it affected. The strategies, misleading moves, sacrifices, and triumphs of the game of chess are a perfect vehicle through which to examine this situation.

Rice's usual partner, Andrew Lloyd Webber, was busy with a little project called CATS and was unavailable to conspire. Rice got together with Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA who were looking to branch out. Gorgeous music ensued.

Murray Head, who sang the role of Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, plays The American. Elaine Paige is his chess playing second, Florence. Tommy Korberg, who has as fine a voice as I have ever heard, is The Russian. The Russian's second and KGB guardian is Molokov, played wickedly by Denis Quilley. The Arbiter, Bjorn Skips, states the rules of the game. Barbara Dickson sings Svetlana, the Russian's wife.

A better cast would be hard to find.

The story revolves around the American, an obnoxious but brilliant chess player, who comes to Merano with Florence to play against the Russian for the World Chess Championship. Florence, a refugee from Hungary, seeks information about her father, who she believes to be held by the Russians. The Russian is looking to make a name for himself, and possibly have the chance to defect. Molokov is there to prevent him, and make sure he understands that he must win.

When rules of the tournament cannot be agreed upon, the American uses tricks, tactics, misdirection, and outright bad manners to disrupt the game. His actions cause Florence to leave and she becomes attracted to the Russian. The Russian somewhat sorrowfully defects after winning the match.

A year later the Russian and Florence, now a couple, arrive in Bangkok to be challenged by a new Soviet. The American, nasty as ever, and still wanting Florence to return to him, is now a "color commentator" for the match. He attempts to make a deal in which the Russian will allow the challenging Soviet to win, saving face for the USSR. He delights in telling the Russian the hardships his wife has been experiencing back in Russia. The American suggests that if the Russian throws the game information about Florence's father will be given to her. The Soviets even bring the Russian's wife to Bangkok to try to get him to "play. " The culmination of the match and the fates of each of these players make for an endgame worthy of the best chess masters.

There's a lot of story here, and the themes reflect each part. They intertwine and shift, balance and separate fluidly. They range from the disco-based One Night in Bangkok to the rollicking beer stein-raising Merano to the haunting Mountain Duet and the intricate precision of Quartet. Duets are frequent and thrilling, with power ballads, an anthem, hymns and one section that details the history of chess. Some songs even rock!

I guess the breadth of the music and the depth and intricacy of the message are what keep my interest. It would take too long to fully describe each of the songs, but several warrant extra praise.

Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility) is just that, a quartet of unusually fine singers singing counterpoint to one another. I dare you to sing the last line in one breath, as they do. It is a lesson in vocalizing.

How sad to see the ancient and distinguished game that used to be a model of decorum and tranquility become like any other sport, a battleground for rival ideologies to slug it out with glee.

Heck, I dare you to say it in one breath.

If you are a romantic, Mountain Duet will have you in tears. This is lovely, lovely music, and two lines have engraved themselves on my heart. A drink on a clear moonlit night- I relax, she smiles. There's something unpleasant going on. Brilliant. But it ends with Florence and the Russian in harmony, I don't know why I can't think of anything I would rather do than be wasting my time on mountains with you.

::sniffle:: Yes, it got me again.

Anthem will evoke tears in any person who has ever felt deeply about his country, and explains how it is possible to leave. Tommy Korberg shines.

In Pity the Child Murray Head wrings every nuance of emotion from the lyrics. He is explaining why he is as he is. Pity the child who knew his parents, saw their faults, saw their love die before his eyes. Pity the child that wise. He never asked did I cause your distress? Just in case they said yes. Pity the child, but not forever, not if he stays that way. This is a showstopper, and a song every parent should be required to listen to.

There are several delightful musical arguments. The wordplay is exquisite. Some are vicious, some are fools and others blind, to see in me one of their kind. Anyone who has ever loved and lost will appreciate the sentiments here. And the music and singing strike the perfect counterbalance. It is SO good!

The finest duet, and the one that has the most meaning for me is You and I. Having been blessed with finding a love that has intensity, passion, humor, and trust, this has become my anthem. Finding out my one true obligation is to myself, and sharing that with the one I have chosen.

Knowing I want you, knowing I love you, I can't explain why I remain careless about you.I'd give the world for the moment with you when we thought we knew our love would last. But that moment passed, with no warning, far too fast. You and I, we've seen it all, chasing our heart's desires. But we go on pretending stories like ours have happy endings.

Luckily, mine does have one. And part of the reason for that is the romantic feelings evoked by music like this

I have had my share of losses in life, of time when I have asked myself the question asked at the end of Chess. Bearing in mind your predicament now, what you did then. we're just dying to know, would you do it all again?