Title : West Side Story (1961 Film Soundtrack)
Author : Leonard Bernstein
Release Date : 19921124
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $17.98
Amazon.com Price : $10.50
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Editorial Reviews : Leonard Bernstein's musical update of Romeo and Juliet, with a young Stephen Sondheim's brilliant lyrics, had already galvanized Broadway with its vivid reinvention as a parable of racial intolerance and generational conflict. But director Robert Wise's lavish widescreen presentation broke fresh ground by taking the story to its most impressionable audience, the teenagers who could identify directly with Tony and Maria, and opened up Jerome Robbins's kinetic choreography through bravura camera work. The original soundtrack album was not merely a huge seller but a unique touchstone for an otherwise rock-oriented audience, and its release on CD benefits from an expanded program untenable in its initial LP release, as well as a 20-bit digital transfer. With Richard Beymer, Marni Nixon (Hollywood's vocal doppelgänger of choice, here standing in for Natalie Wood), and Rita Moreno dominating, the show's bounty of terrific songs and exciting instrumental pieces remains an ear-filling treat, mixing operatic passions, tart social commentary, and high comedy. From 'Tonight' to 'One Hand, One Heart,' 'America' to 'Jet Song,' this is a landmark in American musical theatre and film beautifully realized on disc. --Sam Sutherland
Buyer Reviews : Bernstein wrote himself into the annals of musical history with the score which he composed for West Side Story, a nineteen fifties version of Romeo and Juliet, and Stephen Sondheim did it justice with the terrific lyrics he wrote which made the music soar even higher. This a musical which has entered the popular consciousness with good reason. Who hasn't heard the beauty and poetry of 'Maria', the expectant poignancy of 'Tonight', or the eternally hopeful 'Somewhere' and not been touched, especially when sung, as they are here, by Jim Bryant and Marnie Nixon? There is also the upbeat 'America' and 'I Feel Pretty' which are ensemble songs geared to showcase Jerome Robbins' choreography to perfection.This is a magnificent CD which should be a part of any collection, as it contains music which would make angels weep.
