Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) Symphonic Dances from "West Side Story" for two pianos and percussion (arr by Paul McKibbins and Robert Philipps) 1. Prologue. Allegro moderato 2. "Somewhere". Adagio 3. Scherzo. Vivace e leggero 4. Mambo. Presto 5. Cha-cha ("Maria"). Andantino con grazia 0:00 6. Meeting Scene. Meno mosso 1:05 7. "Cool" Fugue. Allegretto 2:41 8. Rumble. Molto allegro 5:10 9. Finale. Adagio 7:00 Güher & Süher Pekinel, pianos Peter Sadlo & Stefan Gagelmann, percussion The dance music of West Side Story was brought into the concert hall in 1961 in the shape of the continuous suite of Symphonic Dances, assembled and scored for full orchestra (under Bernstein's supervision) by Sid Ramin and Irving Kostal. Later the suite was then arranged for two pianos and percussion by Paul McKibbins and Robert Philipps again under Bernstein's supervision. The Prologue is a tense dance scene for the rival gangs. The song "Somewhere" and the Copland-like Scherzo accompany a dream sequence in which the gangs are reconciled in friendship. The Mambo is a competitive dance which belongs to real life. The Cha-cha accompanies the first meeting of the lovers Tony and Maria in the dance hall (with hints of the song "Maria"); the Meeting Scene underscores their first dialogue. "Cool" is a song and dance scene in which the Jets decide to rein in their aggression: Bernstein's music is a fusion of "cool" jazz idioms and fugal form. "Rumble" is the music for the climactic gang fight, in which ...
Keywords: leonard, bernstein, symphonic, dances, west, side, story, musical, two, pianos, percussion, transcription, arrangement
