Music Matters

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Music Matters: 60 years of West Side Story: Leonard Bernstein’s masterpiece

60 years of West Side Story... and Spielberg's new blockbuster

60 years of West Side Story: Leonard Bernstein’s masterpiece

BBC Radio 3 - Music Matters, 60 years of West Side Story: Leonard Bernstein’s masterpiece

As we celebrate the iconic 1961 film, we explore Spielberg's new take on West Side Story.

Music Matters celebrates the iconic 1961 film adaptation of West Side Story, and speaks to Hollywood director Steven Spielberg about the aspirations for his new movie.

Photo credit Niko Tavernise. © 2021 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved

Six decades after Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins’ iconic film hit the screens, director Steven Spielberg's new production of West Side Story is due to be released in cinemas this Friday, and presenter Tom Service is joined by the Hollywood director, the new Maria - Rachel Zegler - as well as arranger David Newman and choreographer Justin Peck, to learn more about their aspirations for this modern-day Romeo and Juliet story. 

As the 1961 film celebrates its 60th anniversary, we hear from Jamie Bernstein who shares her memories of her father's involvement in this now classic musical. We eavesdrop on the author, composer and critic Neil Brand, and Tom too, as they re-watch the original movie and reflect on the lyrical, musical and choreographic magic that made West Side Story so powerful. 

The tenor José Carreras recollects his role in the historic 1985 recording of West Side Story - the first complete recording of the piece with Bernstein conducting - and the American-British playwright, novelist, and critic Bonnie Greer considers how the social issues and tensions of New York’s barrios in the 1950s and 1960s remain as alive and relevant for contemporary audiences.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

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