The iconic West Side Story, based on Shakespeare's iconic 'Romeo and Juliet' from iconic musician Leonard Bernstein is, truly, an icon. Not only does it re-tell a story which obviously resonates through time with people due to its eternal popularity, but it brings with it music to add a whole new layer of meaning. Bernstein's score is beautiful, tragic, fun and terrifying by turns and in a very effective way. This is due, in part, to his intricate and meticulous composing.
Each idea, each character, has their own little themes which come together perfectly at just the right time. This, along with the fact that the words seem to fit perfectly to the music mean that listening to the music on its own (as you will do here, as I've chosen the 'symphonic dances' as my piece this week rather than the musical itself) is full of emotion and storytelling. In fact, you can tell just by listening the amount of energy and passion that's required just to play this music - it's certainly not easy and it's very full on.
From hectic mambos to slow love songs and dances from different cultures (drawing particularly on Puerto Rican themes, as you'll know if you've seen the musical - which I would recommend!), this piece really is exciting. Bernstein was intentionally composing for the audience at the time, including references to popular music styles. However, even now, the music hasn't dated badly at all, and has become a well-loved part of the orchestral repertoire. Furthermore, there's a reason why a lot of this might make you want to dance (not me, I don't dance. But you can if you want. Just don't subject me to it. Thanks.) and that's because some of the choreography for the musical was completed before the music, and so Bernstein was actually composing to a dance rather than a dance being created for a piece of music.
As with lots of pieces of music, I'll save you the boredom of going through each and every single movement. I just hope you enjoy these very exciting and original symphonic dances from the musical - and if you haven't seen the musical yet then I hope you'll be inspired to!
If you liked this, try listening to:
- The whole music, and any music from other musicals (or at all) from Bernstein
- Music by Gershwin (try Rhapsody in Blue)
- Copland's 'El salon Mexico'
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