West Side Story: 50th Anniversary Recording [CAST RECORDING]

Leonard Bernstein (Composer), Stephen Sondheim (Composer), Hayley Westenra (Performer), Vittorio Grigolo (Performer), Connie Fisher (Performer)

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 25, 2007)
• Original Release Date: September 25, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Decca Broadway
• ASIN: B000UNMUCS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #91,554 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
To mark the 50th Anniversary of WEST SIDE STORY, some of the biggest classical crossover stars have gathered to record a brand new version. One of the most lauded musicals ever written, WEST SIDE STORY, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, is a timeless classic. The famous 1984 recording included Kiri Te Kanawa - here the part of Maria is passed to fellow New Zealander, Hayley Westenra, paired up with Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo as Tony. With a bright young cast and legendary standards, this recording is set to become the choice for WEST SIDE STORY lovers. Release coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the Broadway opening of WEST SIDE STORY - September 26, 1957. This is the first major recording of the work since the 1984 version, which featured Leonard Bernstein conducting. The recordings of Hayley Westenra and Vittorio Grigolo have exceeded 2.5 million copies worldwide. Recording includes new essay by Leonard Bernstein's daughter, Jamie.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Disappointment, October 16, 2007

By	West Sider (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

West Side Story is one of my favorite Broadway musical scores, and I was looking forward to listening to this recording. What a disappointment! The Prologue starts off wrong by omitting the signature whistle signal of the Jets that is so captivating. The Jet Song is horrid, with an insertion by the Jets gang that sounds like chorus boys from The Producers doing a gig in Las Vegas. The two principals have fine voices, but the casting is totally mixed up. Hayley Westenra as Maria has a lovely American accent, while Vittorio Grigolo as Tony has an operatic Italian accent. So in listening to the recording, you basically have to pretend that Maria (or should I say Mary) is the native-born, and Tony (short for Anton, or should I say Antonio) is the immigrant. Thankfully Anita and the Sharks gang carry themselves well enough. If you want to enjoy a recording of West Side Story, I guess you need to stick to the original cast. Listening to this makes me want to move to the East Side!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still great after all these years, September 30, 2007

By	S. W. V. Cott "Broadway Baby" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I believe that WEST SIDE STORY is the greatest American musical. Period.I have been listneing to it all my life, I have performed these songs many times, I have been in a production of it that lasted 2 years of my life. I know every version there is of it on disc. I have to say, I love them all, and what always amazes me, is how fresh and up to date the music sounds in each of those versions. It doesn't matter how often you hear this music, it always moves ones heart and delights the intellect as well.
This new recording is a bit odd, in that it comes at you in random order. NOT in the order of the show. If you have performed the show, that just messes with your mind. The orchestra is wonderful though, and the recording is high quality, so you can get over that. Some of the tempos are very slow, and obviously meant for a listening audience that would not be watching dance moves on stage. People just can't DANCE that slow, guys.

TONY TONY...is WONDERFUL. Maria is a bit weak, Anita is strong but is a bit over classical for that role in my taste. If you love this show. If this show is special to you, get this album and pick your favorite parts. If you are a beginner with this piece and would like a nice recording of it,,,I would suggest the original broadway recording of 50 years ago. If you can get through it without getting goose bumps...well, I can't help you there.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't believe the hype!, October 1, 2007

By	Somerhead (Cleveland OH USA) - See all my reviews

What a disappointment! I recently purchased this much-vaunted anniversary album and I'm sorry to say it will go into my archive after one play, never to see the light of day again. Talk about a dead performance - from everyone concerned. There is no life in the orchestra : sure, they are note-perfect, but you can practically hear them counting their beats. Not what is needed for one of Braodway's greatest shows. Hayley Westenra as Maria has a nice voice and is well able for the range, but without any show experience delivers a bland, uninteresting performance. Vittorio Grigolo as Tony should not have crossed over from opera. His accent would be more suited to one of the Sharks! Melanie Marshall as Anita is the recording's only saving grace - but not enough to save the show!!
Caveat emptor...........