Title : West Side Story (1961 Film Soundtrack)
Author : Leonard Bernstein
Release Date : 19921124
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $17.98
Amazon.com Price : $13.99
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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 : Most people are trying to choose between this (the movie soundtrack) and the Original Broadway Cast recording. I am here outlining the principal differences between these two CDs.
1) The movie soundtrack contains the entire Dance at the Gym sequence, some of the best music in West Side Story. PLUS there is an absolutely tremendous trumpet player who takes an extended solo in the Mambo that has to be heard to be believed. It's not in the music, so you won't find it anywhere but here. The Original Broadway Cast recording starts at the second half of the Mambo, and leaves out the Blues number entirely (among others).
2) Jim Bryant (on the movie soundtrack) goes up to this great high note at the end of Something's Coming that Larry Kert does not attempt in the Broadway recording. Again, not in the music, but amazing.
3) The movie version of America, pitting the Sharks against their girlfriends, is far superior.
4) The movie's Prologue has been revised, and now includes the 'Cool' theme as well as *most* of the original material. The two themes are interwoven in an interesting way. But you do lose a couple of great moments from the original...
5) There is no ballet sequence in the movie! Very unfortunate.
6) Much of the singing is done more musically in the Broadway Cast recording, by Larry Kert and Carol Lawrence; pay attention to their diction and phrasing, it's no contest.
7) Many of the songs (e.g. Cool) were reorchestrated for the movie, adding things like electric guitar and bass, and they're a little tacky. (If you're familiar with the music from playing it, or just know the original really well, these will drive you crazy.)
The Symphonic Dances (bonus material on the Broadway recording) are of little interest. Bernstein apparently thought some of the most gorgeous themes were too sappy for the symphony audience, so you won't hear 'Tonight' or 'I Have a Love' in the entire suite. West Side Story without 'Tonight' is just not West Side Story.
A note: stay away from ALL RECORDINGS BUT THESE TWO! Nothing else comes close.
West Side Story is as good as music gets. There's no excuse for skimping out here, do yourself a favor and buy two CDs of it.
