WEST SIDE STORY COMPOSED BY LEONARD BERNSTEIN Presentation by Julie Horton Contents Leonard Bernsteins Biography The History of West Side Story Listening Guide: i. America ii. Maria iii. Somewhere Leonard Bernstein wanted people to remember me not because of the West Side Story, which is a good piece, I wanted people to remember me as a serious composer who wrote Kaddish, Jeremiah, The Age of Anxiety. Leonard Bernstein The Young Bernstein Born August 25, 1918 in New York City. His father wanted him to join the family business. Leonard battled his father to study music and won. Married and had 3 children Mentoring Bernstein Bernstein had mentors who helped him with his craft. Aaron Copland helped him with compositions Serge Koussevitsky mentored him in conducting at Tangelwood, MA. Leonard Bernstein & Serge Koussevitsky Young Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copeland. West Side Story History Is an original production written in 1957 by playwright Arthur Laurents. Lyrics by Stephen Sondeim. Tragic loved story based on Romeo and Juliette Set in the 1950s in New York City, it is a conflict about race Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents, Hal Prince, Robert Griffith (seated), Leonard Bernstein, and Jerome Robbins on the set of West Side Story. Challenges The challenge was to create a show that treads the fine line between opera and Broadway, ballet and just dancing, realism and poetry Arthur Laurents, Playwright Maria & Tony In Love Set in the 1950s in New York City, this tragic love story is about Maria and Tony. They are caught between the rivalries of the Puerto Rican gang called the Sharks and the self-proclaimed native white gang called the Jets. Two gangs, the Sharks and the Jets, battle for supremacy over the streets. The Sharks seen above- are a Puerto Rican gang. Marias brother is the head of the gang and he does not like his sister dating Tony, a member of the Jets gang. Gang Rivalry in West Side Story The Jets have ownership of the streets until the Sharks challenge them. The Jets Bernardo and his sister Maria. He demands she no longer see Tony. Outside forces threaten Maria and Tonys love. The Sharks confront the Jets. Unable to stop fighting, the rivalry between the Jets and Sharks ends in tragedy. From Stage to Movie West Side Story began as a stage performance and in 1961 it was made into a movie. Nominated for eleven Academy Awards including Best Music.Best Music The Movie The movie starred Natalie Wood as Maria. AmericaAmerica America is sung on a building rooftop in New York City by the Sharks and their girl friends.America America America is written in a mixed meter. As one vocalist sings about Puerto Rico another sings about the US, alternating back and forth. MariaMaria The song Maria is an excellent example of word painting. It is a technique of lengthening the music.Maria Somewhere Somewhere is a poignant song about hope. Memorable West Side Story West Side Story has become a timeless piece performed year after year in theatres and schools across America. Bibliography Bergan, Ronald. Glamorous Musicals: Fifty Years of Hollywoods Ultimate. London: Octupus Books Limited, Print. Legends of Broadway: Portraits of Creativity on Leonard Bernstein: Reaching for the Note, Disc 1. Production by American Masters DVD. Matheopoulos, Helena. Maestro: Encounters with Conductors of Today. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, Print. Sennett, Ted. Hollywood Musicals. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, Print. West Side Story. Prod. Seven Arts Productions Inc. Metro Goldwyn Mayer, DVD.