At the 87th Academy Awards ceremony earlier this year, Lady Gaga surprised us all with a beautiful tribute celebrating 50 years of the iconic film, The Sound of Music. Although it was delightfully uncomfortable to watch Gaga perform without doing something super weird, there is no denying that most of us alive today have—in some way or another—come into contact with the music from this beloved film.
As The Sound of Music turns 50, Sony Music Entertainment’s Legacy Recordings division has released a newly remastered and expanded The Sound of Music—50th Anniversary Edition. This CD is perfect for Sound of Music fans of all ages, featuring previously unreleased orchestral cues from the movie’s score, as well as all vocal performances on one CD for the first time. Not only does a collection like this serve as a great way to have all the music in one place for those of you that may have grown up with the movie, but it also provides you with a way to introduce this classic to your kids, sharing this iconic film—and music—with a whole new generation.
Plus—it’s not just music. The new soundtrack also includes introductory notes from Julie Andrews and Theodore S. Chapin, who is the president and executive director of Rodgers & Hammerstein, and in-depth liner notes written by The Sound of Music Companion author Laurence Malson. You may know all of the words to “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” and “My Favorite Things,” but this bonus material gives you a new look at the behind-the-scenes aspects of the film, so you can be a true Von Trapp buff. The CD package even includes rare photos and illustrations from the film, which are perhaps my favorite part (especially the ones of Julie Andrews casually hanging out on set, because most times I forget that she “casually” does anything).
And if that’s not enough for you to celebrate the golden anniversary, you can also check out 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment’s The Sound of Music 50th Anniversary Blu-ray—a five-disc ultimate collector’s edition. Or go really old-school, with The Sound of Music—50th Anniversary Edition on 2 LP 180-gram vinyl, or the original 16-track Grammy Hall of Fame-inducted soundtrack album on 180-gram vinyl and SACD.
While your already worn-down copy of this classic film is probably already a family treasure, be sure to add to your collection with these brand new ways to watch and belt out your favorites like you’re standing on a mountain and no one else is watching. In the meantime, sing along with Julie Andrews in this fun lyric video:
