Cheap Leonard Bernstein Conducts "West Side Story" (DVD) (Christopher Swann) Price
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| CATEGORY: | DVD |
| DIRECTOR: | Christopher Swann |
| THEATRICAL RELEASE DATE: | May, 1985 |
| MANUFACTURER: | Universal Music & VI |
| MPAA RATING: | NR (Not Rated) |
| FEATURES: | Color |
| TYPE: | Music Videos - Classical |
| MEDIA: | DVD |
| # OF MEDIA: | 1 |
| UPC: | 044007301791 |
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Customer Reviews of Leonard Bernstein Conducts "West Side Story"
Bernstein and Carreras at their magnificent best This 1984 behind the scenes look at Bernstein's first recording of his classic score, West Side Story, is a real treat. The singers he assembled were an eclectic mix: Kiri Te Kanawa, Tatiana Troyanos and Jose Carreras, among others. The latter may have seemed an odd choice for the role of Tony, but vocally this character has never been better interpreted. Less successful is Te Kanawa, who overdoes her Puerto Rican accent, ignoring Bernstein's plea for "the merest hint of Puerto Rican-ness".
The video takes the viewer through preliminary rehearsals in Bernstein's apartment, interviews with the singers and Bernstein, and finally the recording studio. More than anything else, it conveys the joys and frustrations of making a recording with the composer himself conducting, and the programme does not shrink from showing temper tantrums from both Bernstein and Carreras (who storms out of the studio at one point, cursing "Ma porco in Dio!")
Bernstein's energy, creativity, anguish and love of life are evident in every scene, and this is often a moving study of a towering musical figure.
Among the singers Jose Carreras steals the show, singing the demanding "Maria" in a performance that is both poetic and powerful. He sings a magnificent High B flat on the word "MAria!" and then ends the song on a melting falsetto. This is the Carreras of yore, and he is unforgettable.
Forget the off-key singing in the movie version of this classic - this is the real thing, with the maestro himself in charge.
West Side Story
When I first played this DVD it instantly became my favorite. The music is superb and it shows a lot of what it took to make music recordings before the digital age. My DVD was damaged and I am now orderring a replacement.
Great Memory of Bernstein
What a great find! Watching Bernstein conduct his most famous popular piece is amazing. His wit, style, temper, intensity are all present. A very straightforward account of the recording of this double cd set using opera stars as "cast" members. All of the stars perform well.
Carreras is an interesting study here as he takes on the role of Tony. A very talented man, he is at once brilliant and very human as he tries to overcome his inner demons. His "Maria" is especially fine.
The chorus performs well also. All in all a tribute to Leonard Bernstein while serving as a behind the scenes peak at true creativity.