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Amazon.co.uk Review
Filmed in 1984 for the BBC, the feature-length documentary Leonard Bernstein conducts West Side Story follows the composer through one week as he records the first-ever complete album of his musical theatre masterpiece. (The previous Broadway cast and original soundtrack albums had both been cut down to single LP length.) Virtually the entire documentary takes place in a New York recording studio with a pick-up orchestra, session singers and headliners Kiri Te Kanawa (Maria), José Carreras (Tony), Tatiana Troyanos (Anita) and Kurt Ollmann (Riff). The 89-minute programme alternates rehearsal footage with complete final takes of the main numbers--including "Tonight", "America", and "Maria"--with a limited amount of comment from the principal players. Te Kanawa explains how much the music means to her, Troyanos notes how she grew-up in the very streets depicted on stage and Carreras provides a rare moment of tension when a session ends unsatisfactorily. Bernstein himself is by turns commanding, charming, enthusiastic or weary. For anyone wanting an extensive insight into what happens as a major album is recorded this is fascinating, though others who just want to enjoy the wonderful music will be better served by the resultant two-CD set.
On the DVD: Though filmed for British television, Deutsche Grammophon have chosen to release a single region-free (Region 0) DVD for the entire world. Unfortunately this means the disc is in NTSC format rather than PAL, and requires an NTSC-compatible television for playback. It also means that while the sound has been effectively remastered for PCM stereo the picture shows all the signs of a bad NTSC copy--weak, washed-out colours and poor definition with a serious lack of detail. Most videos are far better. The DVD has subtitles in German, French, Spanish and Chinese. There are no extras, though the booklet adapts an interesting article by producer Humphrey Burton which originally appeared in Gramophone magazine in 1985.--Gary S Dalkin
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Apart from the actual picture and audio quality not being wonderful on this DVD, the actual content, which is what it is here for, is awesome. Bernstein gets slated a lot for being too harsh on people, or a bully, nothing could be further from the truth. I work in this field full time and Bernstein's approach can defiantly be termed "old school" but not too harsh by any means. As for Jose Carreras being bullied by Bernstein? Hardly. Carreras didn't do his homework, plain and simple, the fact that "Something's coming" had to have take after take and Jose was still unaware that he was miles ahead of the orchestra is proof if proof were needed. Don't get me wrong, I love Carreras, he was just totally unprepared for what was expected of him.
This is a fantastic documentary of one of the all time great works, conducted by a man of immeasurable talent and ability. A true gem that is becoming less and less likely to be repeated in the world these days. If you are worried about the poor quality of the picture then I wouldn't bother with this DVD, if however you want an insight into genius in progress, then dig in!
This is a fantastic documentary of one of the all time great works, conducted by a man of immeasurable talent and ability. A true gem that is becoming less and less likely to be repeated in the world these days. If you are worried about the poor quality of the picture then I wouldn't bother with this DVD, if however you want an insight into genius in progress, then dig in!
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The musical West Side Story is a classic of the 1950's and the late Maestro Bernstein was quite justly very proud of it.This very important musical milestone of the conductor/composer recording for the very first and last time his own work is marred by this extremely eye wateringly difficult to watch video transfer to DVD.I will not comment on the content as it speaks for itself and you are either a devotee of Bernstein or you can't stand him but which ever camp you are in, I personally feel cheated with this DVD. As other reviewers have stated,the picture quality is awful and has done the reputation of those responsible for producing such a bad DVD no good at all.As a documentary it speaks the truth so surely it was worth remastering and enhancing the picture to an acceptably high enough standard for modern day public expectations. I was very disappointed with this DVD having expected a marked improvement from the video shown on television in 1985.I think the live pictures of the moon landings of July 1969 were of a better standard than this and it is such a pity.
If you do choose to buy it - Happy viewing and listening !
If you do choose to buy it - Happy viewing and listening !
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Its 25 years since I first saw this film following the release of the CD, and seeing it again reminds us all what an absolute genius Bernstein was. He was a brilliant composer, pianist,conductor and authority on every genre of music. Watching him rehearse the orchestra and manage the egos of the soloists in this film is an education in itself. How lucky they were to be able to tell their families and friends that they worked with Bernstein, and on his own composition, which as he says himself, is still as fresh as when he composed it in the 1950's. For anyone who thinks today's performers have the 'X Factor' they want to see this and think again!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Stunning record of creativity and hardwork
Despite having written the music for West Side Story Maestro Bernstein had never recorded this work before. Read more
Published 27 days ago by SA Brain
Stunning
This is one of my all-time favourite videos and certainly in my "top ten" if not number one. It is like watching Mozart rehearsing and performing "The Marriage of Figaro" (but as... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Fuenterino
Bernstein in Charge
This is a truly memorable disc. To see Bernstein in action and his frustrations when performances were inadequate is revealing and immensely satisfying. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Philobard
Making of west side story
A brilliant DVD, showing great passion and ability. Wonderful Composer/Conducdtor in Bernstein and probably the Best Tenor and Soprano combination in years in Dame Kiri and Jose.
Published 5 months ago by Macker
Bernstein conducts Bernstein and a few others
To watch this expecting 2011 sound and picture quality will only disappoint; technology in 1984 was pre-digital, pre- a lot of current advances but what can not be bettered are the... Read more
Published 9 months ago by RR Waller
A journey with the 'Meistro' Leonard Bernstein into the heart of...
To watch this particular film is to be taken on a journey sometimes humorous,sometimes heart touching into the inner sanctums of who can only be described as a musical genius of... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Nigel H. Seymour
DVD- THE MAKING OF WEST SIDE STORY
WONDERFUL !!!!!! I HAD THIS IN VIDEO FORMAT AND SAW IT ON YOUR WEB SITE - IN DVD FORMAT COULDN'T GET IT HOME FAST ENOUGH......... Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2010 by Ms L R Bailey
allas - the video was better looking!!
Years ago I recorded this pascinating document on video from a TV broadcast. Fulishly I now invested in this DVD, hoping - naturally enough - for a much better sight & sound. Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2006 by el duderino lebovsky
TERRIFYING!
I was appalled when I saw this programme years ago on TV. Bernstein makes music making hell for the singers and orchestra - a sarcastic bully who insults all and sundry. Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2006 by Roger Clark
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