Leonard Bernstein West Side Story studio-takes (2a)

[winrx]

lol Pepesito...?

[kackadv]

It's simply unbelievable, so much perfection in the minute when they sing all together....so powerful....

[wowthungsten]

@kackadv If you were there and were a part of that, you just did one of the best jobs you would ever do in your life. Where they pick up at bar 90 and just turn on the power to the finale, sweet mother mercy, that's better than sex.

[Fluteperson01]

finaly get to see a master at work , long live leonard bernstein

[Joshlama]

To continue with what alfonso1clarinet is saying... click on the video, and then click it again. then hold down 5.

Enjoy.

[49bobbyk]

Fantastic, wonderful, incredible, all of those words. The music and lyrics of West Side Story is a masterpiece.

[unalegeli]

harika

[tomasyo26]

this should have millions of views

[OperaPhantom1909]

Even though Carreras had a little problem in his english pronunciation, he was great, and, in the end, everytihng was perfect.

[31operafan]

@OperaPhantom1909 His spoken English is actually easier to understand. Listen to some of his interviews. His English is fantastic, at least in fluency!

[toodlepip990]

jose <3

[VenancioPineda]

He is calling José (Carreras) PEPESITO ??? LOL !!!!!

[31operafan]

@VenancioPineda "Pepe" is an affectionate version of "Jose". I don't know if Jose liked being called that, though.

[TheDman422]

Maestro is quite the dancer at 1:42.

[Entertainmentwriter]

Maestro was ultimately frustrated and disappointed with Carerras because he simply could not break the barrier into the English that represented Tony. The chorus is outstanding.

[alfonso1clarinet]

Sorry, but I think the face Mr. Carreras does at 2:31 (with all due respect to this great singer) is hilarious. Could it be because his irritated of Lenny picking on his delivery, or because he called him "Pepesito"? Lol.

[ATLwalters]

@alfonso1clarinet

i just like to use that button to listen to the ensemble again.

[ATLwalters]

2:50 for an incredible ensemble, makes your ears cry

[FungoBoy]

lol the accent is hilarious

[algringen]

Je crois que l'on peut considérer, tout simplement le témoignage de la soliste, au début de cet extrait, comme parfaitement senti, juste et DANS LE VIF de cette formidable expérience historique. Bien l'entendre comme tel et laisser alors les larmes de joie monter !

[Selendomono]

i dont know how Jose Carreras sounds when he speaks but he has a huge accent when he sings that throws off everyone else....

[swanningaround]

There is nothing at all wrong with Jose. In fact, he is fantastic. It is clear that Leni and Kiri get on well together. Jose and Leni may not have that chemistry. However, both Kiri and Jose are ideal choices in this role. Kiri even looks South American!

[finylvinyl66]

Sorry, but for me Carreras ruins the recording.

[sunshineuk1965]

He was struggling, his voice is wonderful but its such and "American Piece" his pronunciation stands out. The piece is still a wonder to behold and Bernstein... wow!

[uknowwho889]

I agree, there are few vocalists to match Carerras, but in my humble opinion, when it comes down to it Tony is a Polish-American, it's not the singing, its the accent, he dounds like he should be in the Sharks. It's not a big deal, it's just a little frustrating. i think these recordings are fantastic and in no way am I saying I could do better, it's just my opinion!

[uknowwho889]

*sounds*

[BroadwayVBtime]

Kira and Jose are professional Opera singers...the BEST opera singers. Needless to say, they BOTH have high Cs. Not to mention, on the actual recording of this session, Jose and Kira go up to the c, they just didn't do it in this take

[Arnold3135]

Carreras troubles during this session is a classic example of why it's said that American singers are better trained. There are mistakes made here that should not occur. This is entire recording was ill-conceived. Of the the entire cast, Kiri stands out as believeable. Troyanos couldn't make the adjustment and Carreras, well - God bless him - was awful. To hear Carreras at his absolute best, listen to his recital following his herculean struggle with cancer. It was a voice from heaven.

[bmwski0507]

There is a reason Carreras is having trouble.. he is not singing in his native language. Yea he's fluent in english but to sing this kind of music is very difficult even for an english speaking native.

[Arnold3135]

Yes there are always problems singing in a language that's not native to you. This I understand and accept. What I have trouble with is his inability to count -- his rythmn. During the Maria aria recording, Bernstein completely lose's it. Thankfully the producer intervened. I hate to imagine what was left on the "cutting room floor" during that portion of the session. Check it out, it's both amazing and disappointing.

[bmwski0507]

I really like this twist on WSS that Bernstein takes. Its different hearing all the songs sung "operaticly". Bernstein is probably the one conductor in history I wish I could have played behind. My oboe teacher reminds me so much of him its amazing. If only I was born 30 years earlier.

[intermerdacce]

it's not only language problem. it's a fact of musical problem. maybe only he's not so fit for this type of music, that's it

[musickrazy43]

i think carreras is great for this recording. his voice is perfect. so what if the words aren't exactly right?

[Arnold3135]

The problem here is not his English, it's his rhythm. But if you think the performance is perfect, then so be it! Reasonable minds can disagree.

[sinfonian39]

Are you kidding me? It's BERNSTEIN'S PIECE!!! These guys were HAND-PICKED BY BERNSTEIN to perform it perfectly. Give me a break.

[finylvinyl66]

If you watch the video of the making of the recording, it is quite clear how exasperated Bernstein is about Carreras'

rhythmic problems. I'm afraid Jose is

far from perfect.

[TheMakeoverGuy]

@sinfonian39 I think he was a little drunk when he circled Carreras accidentally...but that's only "what I heard." ;)

[haastyle2006]

Did anyone miss TOn'y and MAria's High C at the end?

[christinedaae87]

ilove the quintet its my favorite song!! its soo powerful!!! it always made me laugh tho that the maria is frm australia and the tonys spanish (i think) lol. xxx