West Side Story (Vocal Score) [Paperback]

Leonard Bernstein (Composer)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2002

The complete vocal score to one of the most beloved American musicals of all time. Includes complete cast list, vocal ranges, instrumentation list plus an introduction about the famous collaboration that worked together on this project: Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents, and Jerome Robbins.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Leonard Bernstein Music Publishing Co. (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0634046780
• ISBN-13: 978-0634046780
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #205,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great transcription of the full score, April 20, 2006

By 

M. Chaerani "music sheet collector" (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: West Side Story (Vocal Score) (Paperback)

If you're looking for a faithful translation from the full score, this is the one. This score is based on Bernstein latest revision as reflected in the Carreras Te Kanawa recording (1985).

But be warned, this score is only for upper-intermediate/advanced pianist, classically trained. It's not a fakebook, it's not a simplified/reduced piano score for casual use. The arrangement gives two alternatives for playing some part of the song, and you can choose to play it the hard way or the easier way (which is still rather difficult). The hard way is of course the most faithful to the orchestral score.

For example, the dance part in "America" can be played by using single notes of the left hands rather than using full chord, which is great if you're trying to cope with the tempo. The arrangement for the slow pieces such as "one hand one heart", "maria", "tonight", and "somewhere" is really beautiful.

Tip: Listen to the "west side story" conducted by Bernstein himself to get a grasp of the tempo, dynamics and phrasing.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For the intermediate, December 27, 2006

By 

Teen (Ny) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: West Side Story Edition: Vocal Selections (Paperback)

The book is medium-it isn't an easy book you only play once and then you're bored, but it isn't very difficult. Some of the arrangements are needlessly crazy, but some are well done. A piano player of about 3-5 years is about the right level.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars West Side Vocal Score, September 17, 2007

By 

The Pianoman "Producer/Arranger" (Branson, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: West Side Story (Vocal Score) (Paperback)

If you want to play/arrange/orchestrate or simply see the genius of Berstein, this is the way to go. As an arranger, I needed reference to orchestrate a West Side Story Medley for a show, and I'm not talking your regular "standard" tunes. This vocal score is also a piano reduction of the orchestrations and was aboslutely what I needed. You can see nearly every instrument line, counter melody, even instrument indications. This was the best $50.00 I may have every spent. Saved me hours and hours of trying to "lift" off the lines. They were all there, even for the dance sections from Cool & The Rumble, which is what I really needed. Don't hestitate if you're looking for the real Berstein stuff!