110%, Javert is a psycho zealot, uses religion for an excuse for his perversions. his reflection on the stars offer him a brief respite from his internal torment that he returns to. beautiful song by complete madman. most people don't do it justice.
Personally I get shivers all the way from my forhead back down to my heels when Philip Quast goes: "And those who follow the path of the rightseous, SHALL HAVE their reward"
In my opinion this topic is not worthy of debate. Philip Quast’s voice is liquid gold and his delivery is from another planet. Quite simply he stands head and shoulders above all others
Every time I see Quast's rendition from the 10th anniversary concert, I get goosebumps! Everything about him, not just the voice and the singing, but the face, the eyes, etc. he's Javert personified! Just brilliant!
There is absolutely no question as to who sings the stars with perfect emotion and drama and that is Philip Quast. When he sings it he reveals the inner man as well a powerful voice that commands the stage.
I squee with delight every time someone uploads a new Javert comparison. And literally cannot comprehend anyone who disagrees about Quast’s unsurpassable interpretation - on every level. Usually, like a reasonable human, I can grasp that we don’t all share the same taste. Javert/Quast? Complete and utter brain malfunction.
If you listen to "The Confrontation", you can hear that he has the same intensity, if not more than Quast. Which lead me to believe that the softness is almost like the "oath" he is pleading to the stars is slowly draining him of his humanity... Norm's performance gets me there everytime because I feel he reveals it in a way I can understand...By choosing to sing some parts of the song more delicately... A masterpiece...
Absolutely Philip Quast. Absolutely hits every note with the intensity needed. A close second on the vocals by Norm Lewis, but nowhere near as good an acting performance. For me, no-one will beat Qast in this role. Unfortunately.
Time stamps: 0:00 Jeremy Secomb 0:43 Norm Lewis 1:25 Nic Greenshields 2:03 Bryn Terfel 2:26 Drew Sarich 3:05 Tam Mutu 3:48 Jason Manford 4:30 Russell Crowe 5:03 Michael Ball 5:48 Bradley Jaden 6:26 Phillip Quast
Quast will always be the definitive Javert for me. That said, Drew Sarich's performance of Javert's Suicide was completely unhinged and I absolutely loved it.
I don’t know how you can compare.. Phillip Quast IS Javert! His voice is perfection! I encourage everyone to go watch the 10th Anniversary Dream Cast when Phillip Quast sings Stars. You’ll be mesmerised
I can't help but compare all the other people in the role of Javert, and I still can't find anyone I love more than Quast. And you're right, it's mesmerising listening to him singing that song. His low notes made me shiver. And how I love how he showed his passion when talking to God, even his eyes, I could see his belief, I could see his God there.
Given just how many great actors have played the role yes you absolutely can compare. Yes Quasts Javert is amazing but there are so many other great ones that are completely different that add more to the character. It’s subjective so you can sound a tad annoying when you go on about how nobody can compare to one actor.
They wanted a special way to celebrate 10th anniversary of Les Mis, and he is one of the Dream Cast. And this is not the only amazing performance by Quast in that show.The rest of the cast are showstoppers as well.
How the frick does Norm Lewis go about pulling off the exact same note as he did years ago in the stage play? He's standing there in front of a crappy lights set and a cheap microphone, and he still sounds perfect!
If anyone needs any help on why Philip quast IS Javert, search out behind the red curtain, a Philip quast masterclass. You will soon be educated as to what schonenburg wanted from the lyrics, and quast delivered it perfectly. Also its a bloody good video for anyone wanting to know how it should be sung 😉👍
An incredibly informative interview and just confirms what a consummate professional PQ is and why he is the one and only Javert; who else of all these with the possible exception of Norm Lewis (to me a close second to PQ) can you honestly imagine has put that much thought and effort into creating the character?
P.Q.'s performance is THE gold standard. Everyone else tries to be him, but they fall short. I LOVE Michael Ball, but even he is second. But then again, Quast has only played one role in the show, Ball has done...well....them all. :) I'm holding out for him to play Eponine!
Not a lot of people really talk about Drew Sarich's performance, but I can understand why. On the surface, it might not seem like much. But then you take into account that this guy, who normally performs tenor roles (including Valjean) managed to perform a baritone role incredibly well, so you have to give him props for that.
@Anjelica Snorcket I got to interview Drew for a book I am writing on Les Misérables, and he said he was caught a bit off guard by the fact that he would be the Javert understudy. I think he did incredibly well at short notice.
He caught my eye a lot. I feel more comfortable in tenor roles and was just cast as Javert in a local production and I simply sound terrible in the role lol. I almost want to try to contact him and see if he has any tips for it lol
For me, Norm Lewis is Javert. As Javert he just embodies sternness and authority. Plus his voice is absolutely to die for. Philip Quast is also fantastic, a very close second. I don’t know it might just be me but there’s a lot more of an open sound in Norm’s voice when he sings “then” which is more pleasing to my ears compared to the majority of the other Javerts (not that they aren’t fantastic because they are but it was something I noticed).
I’d seen Bradley Jaden as Enjolras before, but when I saw him as Javert in June I was absolutely blown away! In his suicide scene it was genuinely like he was on the verge of a mental breakdown, his acting was insane!! And that was just the concert, not even the actual show!! Definitely my favourite Javert!!
Yes I agree. I saw Bradley Jayden as Javert at the new version of Les Mis at the Sondheim Theatre in October, and he reminded me very much of Philip Quast in his demeanour and performance. .
@@jeanninehochet I’m going again in two weeks with some old school friends to see the full production, one of them came with me last time and we just keep going on about how good Javert will be to the other girl, she’s probably sick of hearing us talk about him😂
Gotta give credit to Jason Manford he’s a well known comedian but he actually has a pretty decent voice! P.S: I think RC isn’t the best but carries the tune well enough
Philip Quast is my #1, with Michael Ball coming in very close behind. MB had such a different tone singing Javert than when he sang Marius, I was very impressed.
@@isabellevasquez7433 i see javert as more of an anti hero cuz if he was bad he wouldnt kill himself out of being wrong and prolly feeling guilty over his morals being wrong
@@Misto8990 that’s EXACTLY right. He ISN’T a corrupt cop with a god complex - not at all. The character Javert is a law neutral inquisitor. He’s crippled by discipline - it is his metronome, his compass. His whole world is hanging from a very fragile thread of misguided fundamentalism. He's the quintessential example of a character who valued law, order, and authority over merciful justice, without introducing self-serving motives or malice into the equation. Quast nails Javert - he really does! With all his complex nuances. I loved Michael Ball as Marius and it’s hard not to get a quality performance from him WHATEVER he does, but for me, he came too far down on the side of ‘villain’ with Javert and didn’t really manage to convey his vulnerability.
I love Hadley Fraser too ! His voice is remarkable! I wish I had a visual of him going performances of both Javert and Marius.. both it’s just audio ,what a voice!!!
That last note must be the musical equivalent of mountain climbing! To hold it that long with such power as these men put into it is amazing. Russell Crowe made a valiant effort and I'm surprise that he did it so well, considering he's not known as a singer. I had the great honour of singing with Bryn Terfel in Winchester cathedral several years ago (only in the chorus though). We sang Mendelssohn's Elijah and during rehearsal when he had to sing several times "call him louder" to the priests of Baal when they were trying to light their wet wood and imploring Baal to send down his fire he turned around to us, grinned and sang "call him louder, Niki Lauda"! He signed my score after the rehearsal and commented on the fact that it's old (late 19th, early 20th century I think - it's got two names hand written in ink inside the front cover and I'd love to know more about its origins).
Philip Quast without question. The man’s voice is pure gold, and his timing is the most perfect. As well as that, his acting shows the true emotion behind Javert’s stone faced demeanour.
I saw Nic Greenshields live in Birmingham and he absolutely smashed it in the role. Maybe the recording here isn't as stand-out, but in-person on the night I saw him, he was incredible.
My top three 1. Norm Lewis 2. Phillip Quast 3. Nic Greenshields Norm is my most favorite, not solely cause of Stars but his overall job at Javert. HIs voice just screams authority! I think he is also best in the confrontation. So, yeah overall.
Honestly there is no Javert I don't like in this video, except perhaps Russel. Phillip Quast will always be Javert in my mind, but I saw Bradley Jaden live and it was goosebumps allover, although I think he is - or at least looks (not sure how old he is) - a bit too joung for the role and it is clear when you hear him singing, but still brilliant.
I agree that Quast is the best. And I find Russell Crowe to be, by a country mile, the worst. He's a good actor but a mediocre singer, at best. His voice is so hollow compared to real singers.
You always save the best until last! There is this collection of superb performances and then there is Philip Quast - Perfection. Hands down the very best of all these.
Every performer in this video is worthy of praise, and that makes it difficult to choose a favourite. For me though it has to be Jeremy Secomb because of how menacing his performance is. If I was a fugitive being chased by him, not only would he haunt my dreams, but also every waking moment.
Scrolling through all of the comments to finally find someone mention Roger Allam. I too think his was the best. The lyrics were all a bit different for the original recording.
@@walterwhite4862 The problem is not the voice, the problem is the lack of acting for that moment.......Putting Valjean behind bars is his reason to live (for Javert), and that feeling is not there at all
Wolfhound I agree, I just meant that technically speaking (tempo, pitch, etc) there’s nothing wrong with his singing. In other words, it’s not that his voice is flat, it’s that he lacks anything to make his singing interesting.
Norm Lewis is my favourite Javert! The might in his voice is jaw dropping. Philip Quast is a very very close second ;) No 3 is Michael Ball, I have always loved his voice and the power it carries.
Philip Quast is the best, hands down, in my opinion. You can hear & see that he has invested so much into not only the song, but the character, a deep level of commitment. With him, each word has meaning & impact.
Saw a guy called Stewart Clarke in the West end summer 2023 and he was fantastic. I’m 20 and I’m not really interested in theatre at all but it moved me more than almost any song I’ve heard live. I think there’s a performance of start on yt. Look it up and see what you think.
I sadly missed out on seeing him when I went last week but his 1st cover, Jordan Simon Pollard was mindblowing as well! I definitely like those two performers more than some of the people on this list!
Michael Ball not only sang the role well, he acted the hell out of it. I have seen about a dozen performances of Les Miz and Michael was the most impassioned Javert by far. This list is incomplete, check out Brian Stokes Mitchell at the Hollywood Bowl.
It’s a shame he’s not included here but Earl Carpenter owns this role. I saw him as Javert a good few times when the 25th anniversary production toured. His Javert was tough as nails, frighteningly intense yet completely sympathetic all in one. Of course, if I had to pick from this selection it would be Philip Quast. He was the first Javert I heard from the 10th anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall. Just marvellous!
Love them ALL!!! But Michael Ball as wonderful as your voice is?...you good sir ARE Marius and shall always ever be. Phillip Quast IS JAVERT!!!. his voice is absolutely exquisite, sheer perfection for the role. and Russel Crowe?? Love this dear actor HAHAHA He tried didn’t he?? God bless him. Love him even more for that LOL PHILLIP QUAST HANDS DOWN PEOPLE
Mary Revis Well, he was definitely trying on my ears/soul! 😂 Best comment on here! To be fair to poor old Russel, that was an extremely unfortunate mis-cast and nothing about him was right for the role, not least his bizarre interpretation. Quast is The Definitive. He’s the only Javert I’ve seen/heard who understands and portrays the law neutral inquisitor with imprisonment or simply law as his inquisition, without introducing self-serving motives or malice into his equation. Quast juxtaposes sinister with vulnerability. He’s crippled by discipline. It’s his metronome, his compass. He ISN’T a villain, and that’s the misunderstanding. Quast is the only one who both makes me shiver and feel the devastation of his loss at the same time. And, of course, his voice is divine!!
@@spellywelly You are 100% correct. I've read the book - Javert is a complex and conflicted character. Quast really captures the nuance. He is totally the best Javert ever, no contest. Jeremy Secomb is good too because he sounds like Quast. Russell Crowe is a talented actor but he was totally miscast in the movie - does not have the vocal chops for the role and played Javert like a stiff wooden board. It was like someone just wanted to put a big name actor in the role for the movie. They should have cast an unknown actor who could pull it off - they already had Jackman & Hathaway so they did not need to throw away Javert on Russell Crowe.
Phillip Quast is absolutely the blueprint of Javert Yet Crowe performance adding another color of voice & sadness, even better when the audience knew what come to Javert in the end. I dont understand the hate for him All of them is great
Nic Greenshields was Javert when I saw it, and he was phenomenal. I think he’s my favourite, because seeing it performed right in front of you is so magical. But I like Earl Carpenter too!
Quast top obviously but I’m glad someone mentioned Earl Carpenter (him and John Owen-Jones best pairing since Colm/Quast IMO). Plus Nic Greenshields is superb - hope he gets a Javert run in the West End.
I’ve just seen Nic Greenshields in the UK tour and he blew me out the water for me personally he wins it for me but I never got the pleasure to enjoy Norm or Phillip in person so I have to go with my own viewing experience.
@@fatheranthony4pope honestly Quast and Lewis are 1 & 2. Much of the strength in both performances come from The authoritative nature of their voices and stage presence. I’ll concede that Quast’s rendition of Stars does sound more of a man who is broken down and jaded from the pursuit of Val Jean.
Philip Quast and his Magnificent Muttonchops will forever be my favorite. Norm’s little option-up was really nice! All these gents are so talented. Bradley’s grit was really cool as well.
There is a delicacy in Norm Lewis' performance. It feels more like there is an internal battle within Javert between everything he has been taught is right his whole life and his humanity/ability to empathise with Valjean's predicament. It's almost like his vocal performance breaks the facade of bravado a bit at particular points. If you hear recorded versions, Norm singing the line "Lord let me find him, that I may see him" is almost less gruff and powerful and more plaintiff. By the end of the song, he resolves to kill that empathy and really turns into the villain. This is also what solidifies the tragedy. I still cry when he (Javert) dies by suicide... Beautiful song...🤩🤩🤩🤩
JEREMY SECOMB: has vocal intensity but lacks dramatic depth; NORM LEWIS: manly, but too romantic a sound; NIC GREENSHIELDS: "you're a little pitchy, dawg"; BRYN TERFEL: glorious vocal production, no character; DREW SARICH: voiced placed too high to play heavy Javert; TAM TUTU: well acted, great look, average voice; JASON MANFORD: as Moralez sings in A CHORUS LINE, "I felt nothing..."; RUSSEL CROWE: vocally shallow; MICHAEL BALL: sounds hoarse, his persona is just too normal to play ominous Javert. (Ball was also too likable to play Sweeney); BRADELY JADEN: nicely done! But Javert requires darker, rounder tones. Jaden has a little bit too much edge to his voice -- sounds like a villain in a musical "comedy"; PHILLIP QUAST: perfect. It was great fun hearing all the Javerts back-to-back. Thanks for posting!
Hi, Gabor! I just listed to both HADLEY and EARL CARPENTER for the first time. The song STARS is written at the very top of CARPENTER's range, so he pulls back and barely "pops-out" the very top notes. This is very unsatisfying to the listener. However, he's a strong actor and was probably overall a terrific Javert. HADLEY FRASIER is an obedient singer. He sings STARS in a very square meter which makes his delivery predictable. He produces a very beautiful sound -- but there are no emotional or musical surprises in his delivery. Which, for me, flattens-out the character of Javert, who should read as manically obsessed with bringing Jean Valjean to justice. Also, FRASIER's persona is that of a romantic lead -- which is antithetical to the brooding vindictive Javert. Javert is complicated, and few actors possess the stage presence of PHILLIP QUAST whose portrayal had the fiery calm and urgency that made him such an impactful Javert. (Gosh, how I wish he had done the movie version.)
@@crisfranco4717 Thank you for your prompt reply, Cris! I personally find Carpenter's version very good and he also seems to fill Javert's character with life and conducts himself in a manner which I find authentic in relation to the character. But I can see your points and you obviously have an insight I personally don't have :) Thank you!
Not video, at least. Original cast recording is available and awesome! For me it's Allam and Quast all the way, although Ball is also excellent and I've seen a couple of great performers in the West End who aren't in this list
Now I know everyone loves Philip Quast, don't get me wrong he is amazing. BUT I love how Micheal Ball Sung "Safe behind bars!" at 5:14, it's just so amazing
I love Norm, and in fact everyone gives their heart, and is magnificent. However it has to be Philip for me too. Since his early days on Playschool in Oz (his episodes were always a treat ) he has captivated us with his blend of performance, technical capability and pure soul. There is something so humble and committed with his craft and the quality of his voice is sublime. Heaven.
Philip Quast was born to play Javert, his performance was perfection.
110%, Javert is a psycho zealot, uses religion for an excuse for his perversions. his reflection on the stars offer him a brief respite from his internal torment that he returns to. beautiful song by complete madman. most people don't do it justice.
Personally I get shivers all the way from my forhead back down to my heels when Philip Quast goes: "And those who follow the path of the rightseous,
SHALL HAVE their reward"
His diction is second to none! (And somehow, he does a clipped English accent better than any Brit ever could)!
I feel the same ❤❤❤
Ditto!
In my opinion this topic is not worthy of debate.
Philip Quast’s voice is liquid gold and his delivery is from another planet. Quite simply he stands head and shoulders above all others
I think most people would agree that Philip Quast was the best here. Favourite Javert for me, tho Norm Lewis is a close second favourite
I agree! I also love Bradley Jaden though.
Norm Lewis screams out order for me
@@divop_ No Doubt about it. Phil all the way. Never was, never will be another like him.
Exactly!
Absolutely!
Every time I see Quast's rendition from the 10th anniversary concert, I get goosebumps! Everything about him, not just the voice and the singing, but the face, the eyes, etc. he's Javert personified! Just brilliant!
You have him to perfection ,brilliant
Quast as Javert is the best casting decision in entertainment history.
Yes, yes, yes! I so agree!
That entire cast was amazing.
Yep, I agree. He's the one
There is absolutely no question as to who sings the stars with perfect emotion and drama and that is Philip Quast. When he sings it he reveals the inner man as well a powerful voice that commands the stage.
As I thought. Quast wins. I agree he is the best Javert.
I squee with delight every time someone uploads a new Javert comparison. And literally cannot comprehend anyone who disagrees about Quast’s unsurpassable interpretation - on every level. Usually, like a reasonable human, I can grasp that we don’t all share the same taste. Javert/Quast? Complete and utter brain malfunction.
Nah Norm is the goat but I respect your opinion. Phillip was and is very goaty
lol i think Russel Crowe is rlly overated. He just feels like more of a villain then Quast.
@@exterminateexterminate9751 Lmao who overrates Russell Crowe
I love norm lewis's stars he's voice is soft but also strong
Sasha.K like Andrex
If you listen to "The Confrontation", you can hear that he has the same intensity, if not more than Quast.
Which lead me to believe that the softness is almost like the "oath" he is pleading to the stars is slowly draining him of his humanity...
Norm's performance gets me there everytime because I feel he reveals it in a way I can understand...By choosing to sing some parts of the song more delicately...
A masterpiece...
I really love Philip Quast's Javert whose eyes with the pride and determination of an old-fashioned decent French police detective.
PHILIP QUEST and NORM LEWIS!!!!!! Their voice ls are SOOOOO powerful and SOOO commanding!!!!!!
Absolutely Philip Quast. Absolutely hits every note with the intensity needed. A close second on the vocals by Norm Lewis, but nowhere near as good an acting performance.
For me, no-one will beat Qast in this role. Unfortunately.
Time stamps:
0:00 Jeremy Secomb
0:43 Norm Lewis
1:25 Nic Greenshields
2:03 Bryn Terfel
2:26 Drew Sarich
3:05 Tam Mutu
3:48 Jason Manford
4:30 Russell Crowe
5:03 Michael Ball
5:48 Bradley Jaden
6:26 Phillip Quast
Thank you!
no problem :)
Quast will always be the definitive Javert for me. That said, Drew Sarich's performance of Javert's Suicide was completely unhinged and I absolutely loved it.
I don’t know how you can compare.. Phillip Quast IS Javert! His voice is perfection! I encourage everyone to go watch the 10th Anniversary Dream Cast when Phillip Quast sings Stars. You’ll be mesmerised
Totally agree! They're not kidding about the "Dream Cast". Ruthie Henshall was perfect as Fantine. Lea Salonga adorable. Loved the Thenadiers!
I can't help but compare all the other people in the role of Javert, and I still can't find anyone I love more than Quast. And you're right, it's mesmerising listening to him singing that song. His low notes made me shiver. And how I love how he showed his passion when talking to God, even his eyes, I could see his belief, I could see his God there.
Phillip Quast is the best but they all have superb voices and their own strengths.
Given just how many great actors have played the role yes you absolutely can compare. Yes Quasts Javert is amazing but there are so many other great ones that are completely different that add more to the character. It’s subjective so you can sound a tad annoying when you go on about how nobody can compare to one actor.
They wanted a special way to celebrate 10th anniversary of Les Mis, and he is one of the Dream Cast. And this is not the only amazing performance by Quast in that show.The rest of the cast are showstoppers as well.
How the frick does Norm Lewis go about pulling off the exact same note as he did years ago in the stage play? He's standing there in front of a crappy lights set and a cheap microphone, and he still sounds perfect!
Because he IS perfect!
@@marcialynnukulele yeees
"Till THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!" Is an eargasm
He's my favorite Javert !
finally, a group of likeminded people
If anyone needs any help on why Philip quast IS Javert, search out behind the red curtain, a Philip quast masterclass. You will soon be educated as to what schonenburg wanted from the lyrics, and quast delivered it perfectly. Also its a bloody good video for anyone wanting to know how it should be sung 😉👍
An incredibly informative interview and just confirms what a consummate professional PQ is and why he is the one and only Javert; who else of all these with the possible exception of Norm Lewis (to me a close second to PQ) can you honestly imagine has put that much thought and effort into creating the character?
I was just going to comment this
Just saw it. His dissection of the song - line by line - made me appreciate it even more.
Tam Matu is severely underrated in my opinion
I think Jeremy Secomb nailed it!!!
Watch the full version of that performance. So good. His “and so it must be” is absolutely stellar (pun intended)
I think he tells the storey the best
P.Q.'s performance is THE gold standard. Everyone else tries to be him, but they fall short. I LOVE Michael Ball, but even he is second. But then again, Quast has only played one role in the show, Ball has done...well....them all. :) I'm holding out for him to play Eponine!
😆😆😆
Not a lot of people really talk about Drew Sarich's performance, but I can understand why. On the surface, it might not seem like much. But then you take into account that this guy, who normally performs tenor roles (including Valjean) managed to perform a baritone role incredibly well, so you have to give him props for that.
True
Well, it was unique compared to the others. Also his shriek in the soliloquy is chilling.
@Anjelica Snorcket I got to interview Drew for a book I am writing on Les Misérables, and he said he was caught a bit off guard by the fact that he would be the Javert understudy. I think he did incredibly well at short notice.
He caught my eye a lot. I feel more comfortable in tenor roles and was just cast as Javert in a local production and I simply sound terrible in the role lol. I almost want to try to contact him and see if he has any tips for it lol
He actually did super well yeah!! His soliloquy was haunting
Philip Quast
He totally owns that role and his performance is amazing, gives me boosegumps . Second favourite is Jeremy Secomb
For me, Norm Lewis is Javert. As Javert he just embodies sternness and authority. Plus his voice is absolutely to die for. Philip Quast is also fantastic, a very close second. I don’t know it might just be me but there’s a lot more of an open sound in Norm’s voice when he sings “then” which is more pleasing to my ears compared to the majority of the other Javerts (not that they aren’t fantastic because they are but it was something I noticed).
His timing is also superb, like beyond amazing!
The audio for Norm Lewis was pretty bad and he still sounded good
You think he’s good here, you should see him as the phantom
Agreed
absolutely incorrect. norm lewis is an affirmative action pick. javert wasn't black. phillip quast is the greatest Javert of all time.
I’d seen Bradley Jaden as Enjolras before, but when I saw him as Javert in June I was absolutely blown away! In his suicide scene it was genuinely like he was on the verge of a mental breakdown, his acting was insane!! And that was just the concert, not even the actual show!! Definitely my favourite Javert!!
Yes I agree. I saw Bradley Jayden as Javert at the new version of Les Mis at the Sondheim Theatre in October, and he reminded me very much of Philip Quast in his demeanour and performance. .
@@jeanninehochet I’m going again in two weeks with some old school friends to see the full production, one of them came with me last time and we just keep going on about how good Javert will be to the other girl, she’s probably sick of hearing us talk about him😂
Bradley Jaden had this madness to him when he was playing Javert and I couldn’t believe it!! Definitely my favourite Javert! His voice as well 😍
Agreed! I’ve seen many people play the role but Bradley Jayden is now my favorite! He fully immersed into the role. POWERFUL!!!
One of the best in the west end
Norm Lewis is absolutely perfect and Philip Quast is classic of course ❤ my faves
It’s Phil Quast. It just is.
(Sidenote: anyone else stop singing along for a minute once Jason Manford popped up? Lol. Didn’t see that coming)
Yeah that was a surprise 😂
Gotta give credit to Jason Manford he’s a well known comedian but he actually has a pretty decent voice! P.S: I think RC isn’t the best but carries the tune well enough
Phillip Quast by a mile !
Hadley Fraser isnt included in this video.... he was really great singing stars
I came here thinking he was in this video.
Philip Quast is my #1, with Michael Ball coming in very close behind. MB had such a different tone singing Javert than when he sang Marius, I was very impressed.
Philip Quast and Michael Ball were my favorites for sure
I think Quast has the better voice, and Ball has a better interpretation of the character
@@brennanmaynard4237 I adore balls character interpretation. It really reads as corrupt cop with a god complex and a love of vengeance
@@isabellevasquez7433 i see javert as more of an anti hero cuz if he was bad he wouldnt kill himself out of being wrong and prolly feeling guilty over his morals being wrong
@@Misto8990 that’s EXACTLY right. He ISN’T a corrupt cop with a god complex - not at all. The character Javert is a law neutral inquisitor. He’s crippled by discipline - it is his metronome, his compass. His whole world is hanging from a very fragile thread of misguided fundamentalism. He's the quintessential example of a character who valued law, order, and authority over merciful justice, without introducing self-serving motives or malice into the equation.
Quast nails Javert - he really does! With all his complex nuances. I loved Michael Ball as Marius and it’s hard not to get a quality performance from him WHATEVER he does, but for me, he came too far down on the side of ‘villain’ with Javert and didn’t really manage to convey his vulnerability.
@@spellywelly thx for putting my feelings into words for me,i wouldnt mind
Seeing a fic abt a alternative javert's redemption
I love Hadley Fraser too ! His voice is remarkable! I wish I had a visual of him going performances of both Javert and Marius.. both it’s just audio ,what a voice!!!
Agreed! His performance as the officer at the barricade was superb and perhaps the best in the film!
Nothing compares to Hadley's version on utube, in concert where he starts with I hope I remember the words.
All are magnificent vocalists, but I must agree that Philip Quast IS Javert...his acting, look and attitude are breathtaking!
That last note must be the musical equivalent of mountain climbing! To hold it that long with such power as these men put into it is amazing. Russell Crowe made a valiant effort and I'm surprise that he did it so well, considering he's not known as a singer. I had the great honour of singing with Bryn Terfel in Winchester cathedral several years ago (only in the chorus though). We sang Mendelssohn's Elijah and during rehearsal when he had to sing several times "call him louder" to the priests of Baal when they were trying to light their wet wood and imploring Baal to send down his fire he turned around to us, grinned and sang "call him louder, Niki Lauda"! He signed my score after the rehearsal and commented on the fact that it's old (late 19th, early 20th century I think - it's got two names hand written in ink inside the front cover and I'd love to know more about its origins).
Phillip Quast is wonderful, no one surpasses his beautiful rendition. It gives me goosebumps. Love it!
Amazing performances from every singer but the top one for me is Phillip Quast. He stands alone and no one touches him in my opinion
Philip Quast without question. The man’s voice is pure gold, and his timing is the most perfect. As well as that, his acting shows the true emotion behind Javert’s stone faced demeanour.
I saw Nic Greenshields live in Birmingham and he absolutely smashed it in the role. Maybe the recording here isn't as stand-out, but in-person on the night I saw him, he was incredible.
Saw him twice in Dublin in Les mis and he was incredible both times
Saw him last year and it was incredible. I cried at the end.
Totally agree. Saw him last night in Birmingham. The best Javert we've seen live. Incredible. This recording definitely doesn't do him justice.
He is amazing. Best Javert I have ever seen.
He is amazing
Philip Quast. He's a creative performer with a masterful voice and acting style.
My top three
1. Norm Lewis
2. Phillip Quast
3. Nic Greenshields
Norm is my most favorite, not solely cause of Stars but his overall job at Javert. HIs voice just screams authority! I think he is also best in the confrontation. So, yeah overall.
Agreed, I love the way norm did javert so much. Quast is a legend but I just adore norm.
Honestly there is no Javert I don't like in this video, except perhaps Russel. Phillip Quast will always be Javert in my mind, but I saw Bradley Jaden live and it was goosebumps allover, although I think he is - or at least looks (not sure how old he is) - a bit too joung for the role and it is clear when you hear him singing, but still brilliant.
I saw Bradley Jaden live too! He’s great :D
I agree that Quast is the best. And I find Russell Crowe to be, by a country mile, the worst. He's a good actor but a mediocre singer, at best. His voice is so hollow compared to real singers.
Philip Quest is #1 He is the ultimate Javert. His diction is so clear, easily heard and understood. And his range is fantastic.
Honestly!! The way he sings the words makes them seem so powerful... so clear with power yet in a way which isn't over aggressive
You always save the best until last! There is this collection of superb performances and then there is Philip Quast - Perfection. Hands down the very best of all these.
Bradley Jaden is my favourite, fantastic actor and great voice
Every performer in this video is worthy of praise, and that makes it difficult to choose a favourite. For me though it has to be Jeremy Secomb because of how menacing his performance is. If I was a fugitive being chased by him, not only would he haunt my dreams, but also every waking moment.
I first fell in love with the original cast recording. - so for me, Roger Allam!
Scrolling through all of the comments to finally find someone mention Roger Allam. I too think his was the best. The lyrics were all a bit different for the original recording.
Philip Quast is what others are gauged by .... magnificent
There really haven’t been any bad stage Javerts, have there? They all seem pretty solid.
There was a certain fat, bar-brawling Australian that couldn't pull it off
@@monkey6853 no arguments there
Russell Crowe’s singing isn’t technically bad, it’s just boring. It lacks conviction and resolve.
To be fair, the key is lowered.
@@walterwhite4862 The problem is not the voice, the problem is the lack of acting for that moment.......Putting Valjean behind bars is his reason to live (for Javert), and that feeling is not there at all
Technically, without conviction and resolve... which is the ENTIRE message of the song... it's bad.
Wolfhound I agree, I just meant that technically speaking (tempo, pitch, etc) there’s nothing wrong with his singing. In other words, it’s not that his voice is flat, it’s that he lacks anything to make his singing interesting.
He's a great actor, but he can't sing and act at the same time, bless him. 😂
Norm Lewis is my favourite Javert! The might in his voice is jaw dropping. Philip Quast is a very very close second ;)
No 3 is Michael Ball, I have always loved his voice and the power it carries.
Who SANG it best? Bryn. Bryn sang it best. ON the note not flat like pretty much everyone else. Who WAS the best? Quast.
Norm Lewis by far the most powerful, commanding and impressive performance I have ever witnessed
How voice is so pinched tho lol
LMAO PLZ THE WAY RUSSEL CROWE SINGS "BARS" IS SO FUNNY TO ME IT GETS ME EVERYTIME
smokey california valley these days, have not seen a star in the sky for days so had to listen to philip quast, the best in my opinion.
It's Philip Quast for me every time. He puts so much emotion into his perfomances.
Philip and Bryn but Jason Manford wow , didn’t realise he had such a strong voice , all were good , a great song .
Most performances are so good, but the hairs on the back of my neck are voting for Bradley Jaden.
Philip Quast is the best, hands down, in my opinion. You can hear & see that he has invested so much into not only the song, but the character, a deep level of commitment. With him, each word has meaning & impact.
Saw a guy called Stewart Clarke in the West end summer 2023 and he was fantastic. I’m 20 and I’m not really interested in theatre at all but it moved me more than almost any song I’ve heard live. I think there’s a performance of start on yt. Look it up and see what you think.
I saw him in my first show of les mis in January in London this year. Fantastic voice!
I sadly missed out on seeing him when I went last week but his 1st cover, Jordan Simon Pollard was mindblowing as well! I definitely like those two performers more than some of the people on this list!
Phillip Quast hands down!!! Michael Ball was good too
Philip Quast. Hands down. I had no idea that Michael Ball did the role! He sounds wonderful!
They are all amazing.
Philip quast is always my favorite I grew up with him being javert but wow jason manford is the close second.
Michael Ball not only sang the role well, he acted the hell out of it. I have seen about a dozen performances of Les Miz and Michael was the most impassioned Javert by far. This list is incomplete, check out Brian Stokes Mitchell at the Hollywood Bowl.
He owns that role for me now. Defining performance.
Bradley Jaden for sure. He was absolutely mesmerizing!
This is a good line-up, but Norm Lewis, all the way! His voice is so rich, his phrasing impeccable. Smooth, soft and strong at the same time! 💯
It’s a shame he’s not included here but Earl Carpenter owns this role. I saw him as Javert a good few times when the 25th anniversary production toured. His Javert was tough as nails, frighteningly intense yet completely sympathetic all in one. Of course, if I had to pick from this selection it would be Philip Quast. He was the first Javert I heard from the 10th anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall. Just marvellous!
I saw a boot of Earl Carpenter as Javert while John Owen Jones was Jean Valjean. Was also kinda funny to think of them as 2 Phantoms facing off too xD
Love them ALL!!! But
Michael Ball as wonderful as your voice is?...you good sir ARE Marius and shall always ever be.
Phillip Quast IS JAVERT!!!. his voice is absolutely exquisite, sheer perfection for the role.
and Russel Crowe?? Love this dear actor HAHAHA He tried didn’t he?? God bless him. Love him even more for that LOL
PHILLIP QUAST HANDS DOWN PEOPLE
Mary Revis I think Russel Crowe did a pretty good job considering the immense pressure he had on him.
HarriFRIT Agreed... I’m just saying he tried though didn’t he? God bless his heart haha.
@@maryrevis3367 he definitely gave a different side to javert which a lot of people liked, but obviously a lot hated too
Mary Revis Well, he was definitely trying on my ears/soul! 😂 Best comment on here! To be fair to poor old Russel, that was an extremely unfortunate mis-cast and nothing about him was right for the role, not least his bizarre interpretation. Quast is The Definitive. He’s the only Javert I’ve seen/heard who understands and portrays the law neutral inquisitor with imprisonment or simply law as his inquisition, without introducing self-serving motives or malice into his equation. Quast juxtaposes sinister with vulnerability. He’s crippled by discipline. It’s his metronome, his compass. He ISN’T a villain, and that’s the misunderstanding. Quast is the only one who both makes me shiver and feel the devastation of his loss at the same time. And, of course, his voice is divine!!
@@spellywelly You are 100% correct. I've read the book - Javert is a complex and conflicted character. Quast really captures the nuance. He is totally the best Javert ever, no contest. Jeremy Secomb is good too because he sounds like Quast. Russell Crowe is a talented actor but he was totally miscast in the movie - does not have the vocal chops for the role and played Javert like a stiff wooden board. It was like someone just wanted to put a big name actor in the role for the movie. They should have cast an unknown actor who could pull it off - they already had Jackman & Hathaway so they did not need to throw away Javert on Russell Crowe.
My top 3 were
3. Michael Ball
2. Bryn Terfel
** 1. Philip Quast **
He is the ULTIMATE Javert
Bradley Jaden all the Way!!!
I just,,, I love Phillip Quast
Phillip Quast is absolutely the blueprint of Javert
Yet Crowe performance adding another color of voice & sadness, even better when the audience knew what come to Javert in the end. I dont understand the hate for him
All of them is great
Philip Quast is my favourite. Yet so many sing it wonderfully well. It gets Mme every time !
Wow... Wonderful!! All of them!!
DANG I had no clue Tam Mutu sang this so well!
Nic Greenshields was Javert when I saw it, and he was phenomenal. I think he’s my favourite, because seeing it performed right in front of you is so magical. But I like Earl Carpenter too!
Quast top obviously but I’m glad someone mentioned Earl Carpenter (him and John Owen-Jones best pairing since Colm/Quast IMO). Plus Nic Greenshields is superb - hope he gets a Javert run in the West End.
Nobody will ever stir the fire in my heart and soul as much as Philip Quast: you can take that to the bank ❤❤❤👏👏👏
A very simple answer , PHILIP QUAST the man is in another stratosphere. He is Javert and forever will be
I’ve just seen Nic Greenshields in the UK tour and he blew me out the water for me personally he wins it for me but I never got the pleasure to enjoy Norm or Phillip in person so I have to go with my own viewing experience.
How can you forget the best one ever… Who also played the original BEAST.... Terrence Mann
I WAS WAITING FOR THIS!!
Philip Quast set the standards....
Then Norm Lewis reset them.
@@FyrntyYT nah. Norm Lewis simply raised the bar.
@@noahfriedman6357 above the many below Philip, in hope to be closer to the Quast.
@@fatheranthony4pope honestly Quast and Lewis are 1 & 2. Much of the strength in both performances come from
The authoritative nature of their voices and stage presence. I’ll concede that Quast’s rendition of Stars does sound more of a man who is broken down and jaded from the pursuit of Val Jean.
Quast yesterday… Quast today…. Quast evermore. Quast is 🐐
I really miss Earl Carpenter who sings Stars in his very own way 🎼🎵🎶🎶🎵
Norm Lewis is the best. His performance for the 25th anniversary had the perfect hyper focused intensity and purpose
Philip Quast and his Magnificent Muttonchops will forever be my favorite. Norm’s little option-up was really nice! All these gents are so talented. Bradley’s grit was really cool as well.
Bradley Jaden for me. Saw him live on stage. He is amazing! 👏👏👏
There is a delicacy in Norm Lewis' performance. It feels more like there is an internal battle within Javert between everything he has been taught is right his whole life and his humanity/ability to empathise with Valjean's predicament.
It's almost like his vocal performance breaks the facade of bravado a bit at particular points.
If you hear recorded versions, Norm singing the line "Lord let me find him, that I may see him" is almost less gruff and powerful and more plaintiff.
By the end of the song, he resolves to kill that empathy and really turns into the villain. This is also what solidifies the tragedy. I still cry when he (Javert) dies by suicide...
Beautiful song...🤩🤩🤩🤩
I totally disagree with all the votes for Philip quasts version. Is didn't have the steady emotional strength that Norm had.
Philip Quast. The others were all brilliant. But him...jeez that voice and performance. Perfection.
Except Crowe. He was far from brilliant 👎
@@eljordinio7647 very very true.
Philip Quast’s “eyes and looks” did it for this argument even without singing!
The current production in West End has a terrific Javert in Stewart Clarke.
Quast. Always Quast. His voice sits perfectly on the music. I would have liked to hear Bryn do the whole role sometime, though!!
Philip Quast, Norm Lewis, Michael Ball. Drew Sarich. Tam Mutu. Bradley Jaden.
100% Michael Ball. The delivery, the emotion; epic
JEREMY SECOMB: has vocal intensity but lacks dramatic depth; NORM LEWIS: manly, but too romantic a sound; NIC GREENSHIELDS: "you're a little pitchy, dawg"; BRYN TERFEL: glorious vocal production, no character; DREW SARICH: voiced placed too high to play heavy Javert; TAM TUTU: well acted, great look, average voice; JASON MANFORD: as Moralez sings in A CHORUS LINE, "I felt nothing..."; RUSSEL CROWE: vocally shallow; MICHAEL BALL: sounds hoarse, his persona is just too normal to play ominous Javert. (Ball was also too likable to play Sweeney); BRADELY JADEN: nicely done! But Javert requires darker, rounder tones. Jaden has a little bit too much edge to his voice -- sounds like a villain in a musical "comedy"; PHILLIP QUAST: perfect. It was great fun hearing all the Javerts back-to-back. Thanks for posting!
What's your take on Hadley and Earl? Especially the latter
Hi, Gabor! I just listed to both HADLEY and EARL CARPENTER for the first time. The song STARS is written at the very top of CARPENTER's range, so he pulls back and barely "pops-out" the very top notes. This is very unsatisfying to the listener. However, he's a strong actor and was probably overall a terrific Javert. HADLEY FRASIER is an obedient singer. He sings STARS in a very square meter which makes his delivery predictable. He produces a very beautiful sound -- but there are no emotional or musical surprises in his delivery. Which, for me, flattens-out the character of Javert, who should read as manically obsessed with bringing Jean Valjean to justice. Also, FRASIER's persona is that of a romantic lead -- which is antithetical to the brooding vindictive Javert. Javert is complicated, and few actors possess the stage presence of PHILLIP QUAST whose portrayal had the fiery calm and urgency that made him such an impactful Javert. (Gosh, how I wish he had done the movie version.)
@@crisfranco4717 Thank you for your prompt reply, Cris! I personally find Carpenter's version very good and he also seems to fill Javert's character with life and conducts himself in a manner which I find authentic in relation to the character. But I can see your points and you obviously have an insight I personally don't have :) Thank you!
norm lewis is literally so good. he’s my favorite
I'll always be sad that there's seemingly no recording of Roger Allam singing this!
Not video, at least. Original cast recording is available and awesome! For me it's Allam and Quast all the way, although Ball is also excellent and I've seen a couple of great performers in the West End who aren't in this list
Norm Lewis my beloved 💕
Phillip Quast, through and through.
I don’t care what people think but... I kinda like Russel Crowe
Ur one of the few who does. Crowe just didn't deliver vocally
Now I know everyone loves Philip Quast, don't get me wrong he is amazing. BUT I love how Micheal Ball Sung "Safe behind bars!" at 5:14, it's just so amazing
agreed
BRO YOU DONT KNOW SHIT QUAST IS THE BEST
WHOS GUITAR? JUST WONDERING
Without a double, Quast is the best ever. ❤
I love Norm, and in fact everyone gives their heart, and is magnificent. However it has to be Philip for me too. Since his early days on Playschool in Oz (his episodes were always a treat ) he has captivated us with his blend of performance, technical capability and pure soul. There is something so humble and committed with his craft and the quality of his voice is sublime. Heaven.