icethesite - Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus news site

Comments

• Posted by Ross, April 18, 2009 00:23:

  This trailer is AMAZING!
  Iv watched it soooo many times now, I cant WAIT for this DVD to be released.
  
  Thanks SO much Ice for this, best part of my week without a doubt..

  
  
• Posted by Martin Bolton, April 18, 2009 00:28:

  You were right Icey, this was WELL WORTH waiting for. Brilliant! I love it.

  
  
• Posted by Kenneth, April 18, 2009 00:44:

  Looks even better than I imagined. I hope this release is a huge hit.

  
  
• Posted by tarheel, April 18, 2009 01:05:

  THANK YOU!
  
  Please note: in the US 6/17 is a release date. PBS stations can show it on varying dates. Check you local listing!

  
  
• Posted by Stu, April 18, 2009 01:12:

  This looks great!
  Can't wait until it's released!
  Trio Felice!
  
  

  
  
• Posted by Timsgirl, April 18, 2009 02:13:

  It gives me chills! I was there in the 3rd row. I wanted to savor every moment so I am indeed thrilled that this will be on DVD!

  
  
• Posted by Carol, April 18, 2009 02:18:

  Spectacular, the opening graphic is awesome. I saw this on Broadway in 2003 but was unable to make the London play, and am waiting anxiously for the DVD/CD. Josh Groban, Adam Pascal, Idina Menzel, the entire cast is incredible, but Josh owns that part after those two performances and the Broadway performance. It's fantastic.

  
  
• Posted by Natalie, April 18, 2009 02:28:

  I'm only seeing 2 minutes and 15 seconds of the trailer... Please tell me that's NOT it.

  
  
• Posted by Natalie, April 18, 2009 02:30:

  Ohhhh... my bad. It hasn't finished loading... Boy do I feel silly!
  
  I am SOOO excited to watch this!! Thank you so much!

  
  
• Posted by Kate, April 18, 2009 02:58:

  Very nice! Definitely worth the wait. Nice choice of clips and music, made me all the more excited for June to roll around!

  
  
• Posted by Maggie, April 18, 2009 03:05:

  I was lucky enough to be there both nights - cannot wait to get my hands on the DVD so I can relive Josh and the magic any time I choose. Chess is a masterpiece!!

  
  
• Posted by Natalie, April 18, 2009 03:56:

  One word...
  
  AMAZING!!!!!!!

  
  
• Posted by Jackie, April 18, 2009 04:33:

  Saw the show in England - it was magical. Josh owns that part, can't wait for the DVD!

  
  
• Posted by Kay, April 18, 2009 04:56:

  OMG - that was so worth the wait. Can't wait to get my copy of the DVD.
  
  Can you confirm if it's going to be a worldwide release???

  
  
• Posted by Bazz, April 18, 2009 07:04:

  The footage looks amazing, very disappointing news that it wont be on blu-ray (yet?)

  
  
• Posted by Martin Bolton, April 18, 2009 07:23:

  I'd like to give a mention here to Swedish star Tommy Körberg, who was the original Russian and for whom the character's songs were written.
  
  He sang on the original concept album released in 1984, did all the pre-album release publicity - touring around Europe in concert and then when the show opened in London, performed Anthem and the Russian's other songs night after night after night (with full acting chops!) in London's prestigious and very demanding West End.
  
  In a reprise of his London role, Tommy Körberg also appeared in the New Zealand run of Chess and then starred in the most modern interpretation of Chess, the Swedish production in 2002.
  
  In between stage productions, Tommy has also performed the show in concert numerous times in Scandinavia.
  
  If anyone 'owns the part' it is most definitely the magnificent Tommy Körberg.
  
  I would stake my life that Josh, the consummate down-to-earth professional would agree!
  
  However…that is not to take one iota of praise away from JG, who is a worthwhile latter day successor - he may not have originated, originally recorded or fully acted the part on stage but he makes a magnificent, poised, Anatoly and the RAH Chess in Concert as a project, was extremely fortunate to have him on board.

  
  
• Posted by IreneK24, April 18, 2009 08:01:

  What a remarkable, well done trailer for Chess. I must say that my heart pounded and I had goosebumps. Brilliant and beautiful. Thank you for sharing this delight with those of us that were not able to attend the show. Your choice of ending it with Josh singing Anthem absolutely draws you in.
  
  I am looking forwars to the DVD. Will it be available for pre-order through icethesite or shallwe have to wait for the release? I also would like to know if it will be available in Canada.
  
  Bravo and thank you.

  
  
• Posted by Ice, April 18, 2009 08:09:

  Glad you liked the trailer IreneK24 but I can't take any credit! It is the official trailer for the PBS TV special and also promotes the DVD release.
  
  I won't be offering a pre-order service for the DVD I'm afraid, so you will have to go through the usual outlets.
  
  I have no word as yet on a Canadian release.
  
  Ice

  
  
• Posted by andrew, April 18, 2009 08:23:

  I am now weeping as I type this . . .
  With joy I might add . . .
  It looks (and, thank goodness, sounds) amazing!!!
  
  xx
  
  

  
  
• Posted by Graeme Quinn, April 18, 2009 08:41:

  Brilliant cant wait for the cd and dvd can anyone in America tape it for me ! ! ! !

  
  
• Posted by Jess, April 18, 2009 10:00:

  Will there definitely be a UK release for this DVD?
  
  Trailer = WOW.

  
  
• Posted by Janle, April 18, 2009 10:10:

  I was there both nights as well and must say this little trailer brought back all the magic and excitement of those nights. Josh was spectacular and I'm sure Tommy will be very happy that he has such a worthy successor to the stirring role of Anatoly. !! Ive always been a Chess lover and used to listen to the orginal soundtrack all the time. Now I can look forward to a new soundtrack with the extra music that has been written since the first production.

  
  
• Posted by jannette, April 18, 2009 10:11:

  it looks absolutely amazing! Great sounds and the filming looks great as well! It was deffinately worth waiting for! I was there both nights, enjoying a magnificent show, and i can't wait to relive it all again!

  
  
• Posted by Mark, April 18, 2009 10:29:

  Oh my god! I'm not sure I've cried watching a trailer before! It looks sooooo good.

  
  
• Posted by Margot, April 18, 2009 11:28:

  I was there on both nights and the atmosphere was wonderful. This trailer, short though it is, brought back all the emotion that the concert created. I never thought I'd cry at only a few seconds of Josh's 'Anthem' but I did! Can't wait for the DVD to be available.

  
  
• Posted by David, April 18, 2009 11:35:

  Any idea whether the DVD version will include bluray?

  
  
• Posted by Stacie, April 18, 2009 11:45:

  I was also there both nights and the trailer seems to have captured it well. I can't wait to buy the dvd!

  
  
• Posted by Jackie, April 18, 2009 12:02:

  WOW!
  
  I got goosebumps. I was there both nights and can't wait for the DVD to relive it again.
  
  Clean-shaven Josh!!!!

  
  
• Posted by MJ, April 18, 2009 12:29:

  Trailer looks incredible! Will it be broadcast in the UK or will the DVD at least be released worldwide?

  
  
• Posted by Hannah, April 18, 2009 12:46:

  OMK! KERRY! IDINA! TRAILER!! OMK!!! EEEEEEEEEE!!
  
  *ahem* Fan-girl squee moment over.
  
  I SO cannot wait for this to come out on DVD!!! I wanna pre-order it...

  
  
• Posted by Sandy, April 18, 2009 13:15:

  Oh, thank you for posting that! I was at the concert and loved it so much, have been waiting ever since for news of the DVD - and the trailer looks amazing! Josh Groban can still give me the shivers from that little clip...

  
  
• Posted by sara elise, April 18, 2009 18:15:

  Pulled in by the music; an awesome, exciting trailer. The pics fly by too fast though - one has no time to stare at Adam and Josh? :)
  
  All that excellence on one stage, in one production. WOW. My poor self will be saving up for this DVD.
  

  
  
• Posted by Anthony Smith, April 18, 2009 18:28:

  Absolutely amazing. I have watched it many times already and I get goose bumps each time. This will be so fantastic on DVD and through the surround sound at a very loud volume. Chess in all it's fine glory as it should sound.

  
  
• Posted by Becca, April 18, 2009 18:30:

  I have been anxiously waiting for this! What an amazing show this will be to see! It is even more breathtaking than I imagined it to be! I just can't wait to see it, and have the DVD to enjoy! June just can't come soon enough for me!

  
  
• Posted by Erin, April 18, 2009 19:06:

  This is so amazing! Thank you so much for posting it. I cannot wait to see this. It's going to be epic and amazing.
  
  By the way, the US release date for the DVD/CD is June 16. :)

  
  
• Posted by Rolf, April 18, 2009 19:21:

  I was there, my 1st RAH concert and what a brilliant one to start with !
  
  Please please if there will be no BlueRay due to commercial reaons, maybe the broadcasts in the US and/or the UK will be in HD (presuming the source material is HD). This was such a gorgeous setting.
  
  Great trailer, now I want (at least) my DVD.
  
  Rolf

  
  
• Posted by Esther, April 18, 2009 19:33:

  OMG! I just can't wait :) Trailer is amazing, "Chess" is amazing, Josh Groban is amazing... So, we're waiting for June :)

  
  
• Posted by anne, April 18, 2009 21:51:

  I also was there for these performances and I have to say that I agree totally with Martin Bolton that whilst Josh's voice is amazing and i too got the goosebumps, for me Tommy just owns the part. Theres a certain something about his vocals that no one else has managed to capture.

  
  
• Posted by Kenneth, April 18, 2009 22:20:

  The broadcast on PBS in the USA will be in HD.

  
  
• Posted by Lyns, April 18, 2009 22:31:

  OMG! Such drama and with your note about subtitles on the DVD Ice, you've made my day!
  
  At the Royal Albert Hall, when the words to Merano came up, you could feel the audience's understanding increase one hundred fold - and that was just one song!
  
  Whilst I appreciate that opera-style surtitles (yes, not subtitles) for the whole of CHESS would have been inappropriate, there are times during the choral and ensemble numbers where hearing the vocals AND reading the lyrics could be a major way of transmitting the musical's messages.
  
  Some of the messages are quite subtle (for a musical!) that could make the difference between someone 'getting' CHESS or not and the more people that 'get it' means a greater chance of success for this outstanding musical (thanks Benny, Bjorn and Tim) in the future.
  
  Just to return to the trailer again for one moment...it left me absolutely desperate to see the full thing - isn't that the mark of a good trailer.
  
  Thanks icethesite for bringing us the first look.

  
  
• Posted by Lynne, April 19, 2009 00:33:

  WOW.....
  
  
  That was amazing, thanks so much for posting!
  Now i can watch this when counting down the days till the dvd release!
  
  Lynne,
  Stereoelitay!

  
  
• Posted by Anna, April 19, 2009 01:31:

  It´s very well done trailer. I´ve been watching it many many times. I was there exactly on that day when it was recording. I did enjoy it and can´t wait for DVD. Every artists was great but you know I love Josh Groban and he was absolutely wonderful. His Anthem touches me everytime when I´m listening to it.

  
  
• Posted by Ian, April 19, 2009 02:18:

  Great trailer. I hope the actual concert lives up to expectations.

  
  
• Posted by Debbie, April 19, 2009 02:50:

  Sensational can't wait for the DVD release, June seems so far away. I have the Swedish DVD of Chess and was always hoping for another to be released, And Man what a Brilliant cast.
  
  
  role on June
  Debbie

  
  
• Posted by Mark Grice, April 19, 2009 08:26:

  WOW, im very very immmpressed,that is so on my list of things to buy,carnt wait. Bring it on.

  
  
• Posted by Mark, April 19, 2009 11:35:

  Wow! Really impressive and brings back the energy and spectacle from the evening - I'd completely forgotten about the fireworks at the end of the show!
  Hopefully this will give the meaage to theatre producers that this show is ripe for being produced int he west end and elsewhere.
  For thoser that didn't see the show there are a few minor lyrical changes, but in light of the Danish CD having to withdraw certain songs from its recording it's really odd to see them turn up on this one!! In short it was basically a concert of the London score or the one that's available for am dram productions.

  
  
• Posted by Lauren, April 19, 2009 17:18:

  Looking good. Very excited! ::)

  
  
• Posted by Kathryn, April 19, 2009 17:43:

  any word on a UK release date??
  i'm so excited!
  was shouting OMGGGG and clapping at my laptop for like the entire trailer!
  i'm having such a fan girl moment!!

  
  
• Posted by Paul Humphreys, April 19, 2009 18:56:

  I saw the concert and it was amazing!!
  The film looks amazing too!!!
  On a negative, I am very disapointed that there is no plans
  for a release on Blu-Ray!

  
  
• Posted by Angel0404, April 19, 2009 19:45:

  As I said previously, I was there for both nights and I had almost forgotten what the atmosphere was like (nearly 1 year ago now).
  
  WOW, chills, goosebumps, shivers, tears of emotion, hands raw from clapping and cheering excitedly. I can't wait to see the DVD in full.
  
  Beautifully performed by everyone and beautifully put together.
  
  Thanks for this and THANK YOU JOSH!
  
  Cheers.
  
  Angel

  
  
• Posted by George, April 19, 2009 20:00:

  Saw Broadway version in 1988, LOVED,LOVED Judy Kuhn(the best Florence ever, in my opinion), loved late David Carroll and Philip Casnoff, BUT...I hated the musical.
  I don't think Chess works (and I doubt it will ever work) as a theater piece, but it's great as a concert performance.
  Don't quite share the frantic excitement about the trailer, it's good but really nothing special.
  Josh Groban is spectacular as a vocalist, but I'm not sure about his acting skills...

  
  
• Posted by Aleksander, April 19, 2009 22:38:

  Why cast a principal who is out of pitch when singing one of the most powerful songs in the entire show? I loved most of the concert, but when Josh Groban sang Anthem I wanted to flee the building! He did a good job on Where I Want to Be though. But his Anthem is way off pitch!

  
  
• Posted by Phil, April 19, 2009 22:46:

  OH....MY....GOD
  
  I saw the west end production the day after it opened and have waited for this ever since. Thanks Ice so much for posting the trailer - I can't wait to own the DVD. Roll on release date!!!

  
  
• Posted by Stephen UK, April 20, 2009 00:23:

  Congratulations Ice on your exclusive - the fact the record company choose your site for the premiere shows the quality of your site.
  
  I didn’t see the concerts and have been surprised by the ravings from forum memebrs as the postings on this site after the shows last year was more critical.
  
  The Trailer is however a great promotional clip -I was not expecting it to as "acted" as it seems to be from the video as most concert version just have the people singing the show whereas there seems to be quite a production going on if without proper stage sets.
  
  They certainly were clever with casting it with an internationally well known group of performers who will attract their own fans to Chess as well as the core fans.
  
  It will be interesting to see how it is received when released and if it has a decent chart run after the intial first weeks sales.
  
  But being honest adter seeing the clip I do fear that once again Chess has been blown up beyond its core story and turned once again into some mega musical. The songs of Chess are powerful stories of emotion and personal battles they are not starlight express or even wicked large scale production numbers - for Chess to really show its power it needs to be brought down by its creators to a smaller scale.

  
  
• Posted by narvikekero, April 20, 2009 02:48:

  It was great! I cannot wait to get the DVD!! Even I love Mamma Mia the musical,I always thought Chess it is much better, 100% new songs and wonderful songs and the music and the feelings...I love it!! Thanks for the trailer
  

  
  
• Posted by opingte, April 20, 2009 06:42:

  thanks God for putting this to one spectacular show.i can't wait to see the dvd on this.mixed beautiful and powerful voices on this planet
  

  
  
• Posted by philw1964, April 20, 2009 08:23:

  I hope it sounds better than it did live. The sound at the Albert Hall was rubbish.

  
  
• Posted by Frances Quinn, April 20, 2009 13:39:

  I'm puzzled by the fact that so many people liked the Albert Hall show. I thought it was the worst version of Chess I've ever seen (and as someone else commented, not helped by the fact that the sound was appalling). Josh Groban doesn't come close to Tommy Korberg either in voice or stage presence, and Helene Sjoholm is still by far the best Florence I've seen. I hated this version of the story too, the Swedish version is much better. As for concert versions, the shows that have played in Sweden at various open-air venues, with Tommy and Karin and Anders Glenmark, were miles better than the Albert Hall version. But each to their own I guess!

  
  
• Posted by Jean Sherlow, April 20, 2009 14:08:

  
  This is BRILLIANT.
  Cant wait for the DVD.
  This is one wonderful show.

  
  
• Posted by duketgg, April 20, 2009 17:00:

  In which format will the DVD be released? Region 2, Region 1 or both?

  
  
• Posted by John C, April 20, 2009 20:12:

  Okay - so you can't please everyone but this is gonna be great to have.
  
  Subtitles is an excellent 'move' - see what I did there?
  
  I saw both nights, the second was far superior and if this CD/DVD is representative of that evening, then I think we are in for such a treat.
  
  I've always wanted to own the full version of Chess and now I can. I just have to wait until June.
  
  Bjorn, Benny and Tim, I salute you!

  
  
• Posted by nancy, April 20, 2009 22:06:

  EXQUISITE!!! I have never seen anything like this as a trailer. It really captures the energy and excitement of the production (which is significant!). I was lucky enough to see the NYC concert production, and am so happy this has gone international. Hopefully we will see CHESS back on the Great White Way once again! If MAMA MIA can go Hollywood, why not?

  
  
• Posted by Krystal_Lynn, April 21, 2009 02:16:

  I so would love to do this show. UNbelievable!! Absolutely amazing and powerful.

  
  
• Posted by Quinten, April 21, 2009 08:33:

  Chess lacks depth in the story. This trailer is nice, but can´t hide the fact that the musical is empty. Chess has FLOP written all over. I bombed before on braodway, and it will BOMB again!

  
  
• Posted by laura, April 21, 2009 19:00:

  i was there the night they recored this, 13th May 2008 it was a fantastic show. Josh Groban - sensational, Idina Menzel - Glamourous, Kerry Ellis - wonderful, Adam Pascal - very handsome. one of the best shows i have ever seen, i had goosebumps watching this trailer and cannot wait for the CD/DVD release - the atmosphere was electric - Tim Rice got a fantastic reception and so did the rest of the cast.

  
  
• Posted by Michael, April 22, 2009 11:12:

  Very exciting, hope we get it here in Australia (the DVD). Is it just me or are Josh's top notes on "where" and "start" just slightly flat?

  
  
• Posted by Gary, April 23, 2009 14:50:

  Fantastic trailer! Thanks so much Ice!!!
  
  I'll be getting the DVD and the 2CD set for sure!!

  
  
• Posted by Barry Bernstein, April 23, 2009 17:15:

  I cannot believe its nearly a year since we saw Chess in London.Its probably taken the sound engineers a year to sort out the terrible problems with the sound in The Albert Hall.We were lucky we were there the second night which apparently sound wise, was 100% better than the first night and still even though we had reasonably good seats the sound was far from perfect. I hope we get the DVD in the UK at the same time as the release in the States.

  
  
• Posted by NickM, April 24, 2009 07:29:

  After watching the live performance - which despite a good cast had terrible sound and staging - its hardly suprising they've waited nearly a year before trying to release the DVD - am sure they have "fixed" the audio but the rest it just a testament to the power of editing!

  
  
• Posted by PJ, April 24, 2009 20:15:

  Very excited to see this -- but please push for a BLU-RAY release as well. It's a shame to waste such an amazing HD recording on standard DVD.

  
  
• Posted by Jeffrey Schlichter, April 25, 2009 04:20:

  PLEASE release a blu-ray version!
  
  

  
  
• Posted by Jack, April 26, 2009 22:01:

  I saw this in London and it was fanstatic!
  definatley will be buying this dvd!

  
  
• Posted by Natalie, April 27, 2009 13:25:

  Seeing how many people saw this show on both nights makes me realise why I was unable to buy tickets!! For those of us deprived until now, I hope we don't have to wait too long for the UK release date as it was after all recorded in London.

  
  
• Posted by jackie, April 27, 2009 15:47:

  The UK release date is 15th June according to this site.

  
  
• Posted by Rose Billclin, April 29, 2009 14:38:

  Is this DVD will also be available here in the Philippines? I really want to buy this.

  
  
• Posted by Michael Rose-Nel, May 03, 2009 23:07:

  I still have the original cassette tapes from when Chess first came out, and I have the CD, I will not miss out on this CD and DVD. I am a great fan of Idina and Josh.

  
  
• Posted by Mar, May 07, 2009 16:17:

  this is so awsome? will the dvd be release in all the world or just usa and europe? i want a copy so bad...

  
  
• Posted by london here, May 07, 2009 21:45:

  My god..... brilliant. The whole thing is amazing and i'm so glad the organ is in it - stunning!

  
  
• Posted by Joe Wood, May 09, 2009 01:09:

  The trailer looks great, I can't wait to buy the DVD.
  
  If you can't wait until June 17th for the DVD, CHESS is being performed in Birmingham UK at the Crescent Theatre from June 2nd - 6th, by the Bourneville Musical Theatre Company.

  
  
• Posted by Debs, May 11, 2009 15:33:

  I was so disappointed that I could not go to see this in person....THANK YOU so much for making the DVD version, finally I can see the entire performance!!!
  I know Josh Groban and Idina Menzel will be wonderful, and I'm looking forward to getting to know the other performers as well!

  
  
• Posted by Debs, May 11, 2009 15:33:

  I was so disappointed that I could not go to see this in person....THANK YOU so much for making the DVD version, finally I can see the entire performance!!!
  I know Josh Groban and Idina Menzel will be wonderful, and I'm looking forward to getting to know the other performers as well!

  
  
• Posted by Debs, May 11, 2009 15:45:

  I was so disappointed that I could not go to see this in person....THANK YOU so much for making the DVD version, finally I can see the entire performance!!!
  I know Josh Groban and Idina Menzel will be wonderful, and I'm looking forward to getting to know the other performers as well!

  
  
• Posted by Denise Schult, May 13, 2009 15:21:

  "Chess" seems to be having a renaissance at the moment - our company have been granted the licence to do a production of "Chess" at The Hexagon Theatre, Reading from 27th-31st October 2009 - hoping for a sell-out.
  Box office 01189 606060

  
  
• Posted by RJS, May 26, 2009 20:11:

  I've just watched the trailer after a long time since first looking at it and it has occurred to me that it is a bit strange to have what looks like blood on the board and streaks of blood in a few clips before that.
  
  It makes it look like there is a murder in the story. It looks great and exciting, but I just thought it a bit strange that they used these images, which to me makes it read like a murder thriller.
  
  Anybody else think the same?
  
  RJS

  
  
• Posted by londoner21, May 28, 2009 17:19:

  Idina Menzel was fantastic . Thank god for such a strong performer with a very sub standard sound system on the first night. So good to see someone with such an imense voice that can actually act too. Josh Grobans 'Anthem' sent chills up yr spine. Pre ordered!

  
  
• Posted by Susan Shuman, June 07, 2009 05:51:

  I really wanted to go and see Chess in London last year, but I couldn't get there; so now I am
  really excited that it will be on PBS soon and I
  can't wait to get the cd/dvd for my collection.
  I have not heard Idina Menzel's voice, so I am not too familiar with her work. but I love to hear Josh sing Anthem. Can't wait for this.

  
  
• Posted by Mark Renshaw, June 18, 2009 09:12:

  GREAT performance!
  
  It was broadcast in HD, so why no blu ray version?!

  
  
• Posted by Gordon Simpson, July 23, 2009 15:18:

  Having been at the show with a near perfect view from a rear box, i have to say I was absolutely mesmerised, particularly by Josh and Kerry..
  
  I have read on other forums, a lot of complaints about sound, in relation to some of the performer's diction and how poor it was. I hope that was just a glitch on the night and won't be representative on the DVD
  
  Idina. Oh dear.. it sounded like it took her till Heaven Help my heart to warm up but overall her diction was so shocking at one point i wondered if she was auditioning for a stage version of Alvin & the Chipmunks.. I really wanted to like her but truth be told (IMHO), Kerry was light years ahead and the role of Florence SO should have gone to her.
  
  I had (shame on me) never heard Josh before the concert and the end of the first act, his Anthem was jaw-droppingly amazing. Seeing it in this clip still made the hairs stand on my neck
  
  I think Clarke was wasted. The man has talent in spades and hardly got to use it.
  
  Its the first time i have heard the music live since 1987 and it was really very emotional. I'd also go as far as to say i thought Adam Pascal did Pity the Child better than Murray Head from the concept Album
  
  Overall i loved it and have been champing at the bit for this DVD since the concert ended.