Only Bernstein could have done justice to RAGTIME's epic themes and and would have accomplished it with passion, melody and style, unlike the soulless and unmemorable bombast that currently passes for the score.
I rank RAGTIME as the best score of the past 10 years. That's not saying much but nothing has come along since to remotely challenge it.
And even more surprising: it was in excellent shape when it premiered here in Toronto in December 1996. There were very few changes made between Toronto and the New York premiere.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks." Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com