Customer Reviews

Bernstein Orchestral Anthology, Vol. 1 (Three Dance Episodes from On The Town; Symphonic Dances from West Side Story)

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Even now, after his death, Leonard Bernstein remains, at least in my estimation, one of American Musical Theatre's most underappreciated masters. The Three Dance Episodes from On The Town, and the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story provide ample evidence that there's much to appreciate. On The Town tells about three navy GIs on liberty in New York during World War Two. West Side Story, of course, is Bernstein's megahit about a Romeo and Juliet among Hell's Kitchen street gangs in the 1950s. Both scores create an engaging blend of Musical Comedy, Jazz, and dance music inspired by Stravinsky and Copland. These selections amply demonstrate both this music's complexity and popular appeal. Please don't misunderstand; these dance selections are no more muzak Bernstein than the Carmen suites are muzak Bizet. Anyone who buys sheet music regularly nowadays knows that music can be pricey. Boosey and Hawkes editions aren't exceptional in that regard. For approximately the same price, the Norton Scores anthology contains, among all its treasures, the West Side Story Dances. The trouble is, Norton doesn't have the On The Town dances. The Boosey and Hawkes scores were re-edited prior to the composer's death. The pages are easy to read, the paper's acid free, the softcover is durable. So, if you're a Bernstein freak, like me, perhaps you should bite the bullet.