REVIEWS

“Again and again, too, there was something magical in the contrast between the realistic (for the time) grit of the visuals and the supreme elegance of the music.” [read complete review]
–Zachary Lewis, The Plain Dealer, 06/2/2017

“…West Side Story is still young, both in the dialogue, and in Ernest Lehman’s adaptation of Arthur Laurent’s book.” [read complete review]
– Beate Langenbruch bachtrack.com, 01/7/2015

“…as a vehicle of master Bernstein’s groundbreaking work, it is a must-see!”
–Andrea McKerlie Luke, CVNC, 09/26/2014

“Exciting synergy of image and sound”
“The festival orchestra conducted by David Newman succeeded in telling the story musically as effectively as the images do.”
-Karin Lubowski, Flensburger Tageblatt, 08/18/2014

“…making Bernstein’s music come to vibrant life.” [read complete review]
–Rob Hubbard, twincities.com, 03/1/2014

“…a vitality that will please film and music fans alike.” [read complete review]
–Stefanie Lubkowski, bostonclassicalreview.com, 02/15/2014

“…it was as successful a marriage as sight and sound as you could hope for except that the BSO playing under David Newman was so spectacular that the tension of their not playing kept mounting whenever they weren’t playing.” [read complete review]
–Ed Siegel, WBUR.org, 07/15/2013

“The audience applauded as if they were at a show with living actors and singers, recognizing each production number with an ovation.” [read complete review]
–Clifton Noble, Jr., Mass Live.com, 07/14/2013

“..the result was more than amazing.” [read complete review]
–Basia Jaworski, operamagazine.nl, 07/14/2013

“The soundtrack played live has much more impact than in a normal visit to the cinema. During the fight scenes, in this case of course more dance-offs, the atmosphere is a lot more threatening. On the other hand, crying violins gently carry lead actress Natalie Wood along in the sad moments.”
–Thijs Zilverberg, CJP.nl, 06/24/2013

“…the orchestra dazzled with the revamped “America”, the Gershwinesque “Prologue”, the intricately woven, “Dance at the Gym”, and the finger snapping jazz number, “Cool”.” [read complete review]
–Anthony C. Hayes, Baltimore Post Examiner, 06/21/2013

“Hearing the score played live, in a concert hall, adds an incredible, vivid dimension to the film.” [read complete review]
–Elaine Schmidt, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/26/2012

“Riveting from start to finish.”
–Rita Kohn, NUVO Indianapolis, 11/20/2012

“West Side never sounded better.” [read complete review]
–Lew Whittington, Huffington Post, 10/17/2012

“…a star turn for an important score… ”
–Peter Dobrin,The Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/09/2012

“West Side Story proved once more, that when film is united with other forms of art, such as dance and live music, it can provoke a whole new world of emotions.”
–Viktoria Kirkova, Whats On London, 07/03/2012

“It is, quite simply, a moving and beautiful experience.” [read complete review]
–Adrian Hilton, Daily Mail, 06/25/2012

“… the youngsters were still young, their clothes and quiffs glistening in vivid Super Panavision 70 colour as they strutted their stuff to the accompaniment of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.”
–Clive Davis, The Times (London), 06/23/2012

“…one of the greatest movie musicals reborn…” [read complete review]
–Victor Kline, artsHub (Sydney), 01/30/2012

“[A]s impressive as is the film’s original soundtrack recording, its 50-year-old audio technology is eclipsed by the energy and sound of a live performance in a concert hall with state-of-the-art acoustics. The marriage of this uncompromised orchestral performance together with a viewing of the musical’s drama, lyrics and dance makes it apparent that West Side Story is an even more monumental achievement than we might previously have judged.” [read complete review]
–John Olson, Talkin’ Broadway, 12/02/2011

“Friday night’s event was a resounding success. It was also a reminder, if any be needed, of what a remarkable and extraordinary achievement West Side Story remains, both as one of the finest musicals ever created and as a terrific, compelling film in its own right.” [read complete review]
–Lawrence A. Johnson, Chicago Classical Review, 11/26/2011

“…for listeners who know this score inside out, the vividness of the playing was a reminder that Bernstein’s score — with Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics and the Ramin-Kostal-Chaplin orchestration — is a magnificent, timeless creation.” [read complete review]
–Allan Kozinn, New York Times, 09/08/2011

“An avid crowd of nearly 10,000 applauded the dance sequences, which were newly thrilling. The loudest cheers, though, were heard when Leonard Bernstein’s name was shown, in graffiti scrawl, on the end credits.” [read complete review]
– Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 07/09/2011

[read review]
–Jon Burlingame,The Film Music Society, 07/11/2011

Background Material

Leonard Bernstein’s And Jerome Robbins’ “West Side Story” Cast Reunites For Film’s High-Tech Revival [read article]
Jane Levere, Forbes, 09/09/2011

Spotting a Few Sharks and Jets at New York Philharmonic’s ‘West Side Story’ [read article]
Daniel J. Wakin, New York Times, 09/08/2011

Classic Score by Bernstein is Remade [read article]
Daniel J. Wakin, New York Times, 09/06/2011

The Phil tangles with the Sharks and Jets [read article]
Barbara Isenberg, Los Angeles Times, 07/03/2011