Listening to the clips on iTunes, the tempos feel a little slowish (though maybe it's just me from years of listening to the sped up tempos of most other recordings)
I haven't heard the recording, but I actually saw the concert live from the front row in San Francisco. They didn't do anything especially bold with the score, or much of anything to make it a distinct production, but Cheyenne and Alexandra were really amazing to watch and hear singing those roles. I'd definitely think the recording would be worth it for them, but maybe you lose something when you just hear their voices.
I sampled all the songs a week or so ago and I was not impressed enough to buy it.
First, I must have a dozen recordings of the score from the OBC to that heinous version ljay posted. So, I wasn't really planning to purchase this unless it was really something different and special.
And then after I heard it I decided to pass because it did seem to lack energy.
I find Silber's voice one of the most glorious ever. I was going to buy for her alone. Now Im rethinking that.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
This is actually a pretty damned good recording of the score. For one thing, it's superior to the most recent Broadway revival cast recording and the SFSO does a bang up job per usual.
Alexandra Silber sings a lovely Maria. Cheyenne Jackson was good but I've heard him sing better. The brightness of his voice seemed diminished and for someone who tends to go for the "money notes," I was surprised he didn't take the high B in "Maria."
Plus, if I understand correctly, this is the most comprehensive recording of the score since Leonard Bernstein conducted Kiri Te Kanawa and Jose Carreras in 1985. I don't think this was a "pointless" endeavor at all.