Credits:

Max Goberman,Leonard Bernstein,New York Philharmonic Orchestra

Description:

Bernstein has been energetically active as a conductor as well as a composer of many hit musicals. DISC 1 is a recording of the original cast of "West Side Story," a modern version of Romeo and Juliet first performed on Broadway in 1957, and DISC 2 is a recording of "Symphonic Dances" arranged for orchestra and conducted by Bernstein himself. DISC 1 is the original cast recording with the actual Broadway performers, and includes Bernstein's own orchestral arrangement of "Symphonic Dances". DISC 2 is the original soundtrack version of the 1961 film adaptation. Directed by Robert Wise, who later directed "The Sound of Music" as well. The soundtrack to the immortal musical film starring George Chakiris and Natalie Wood was an unprecedented hit, spending 54 weeks at number one on the Billboard album charts at the time of its release, a record that has yet to be broken. The film won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (George Chakiris), and Best Supporting Actress (Rita Moreno). It is the film that contains the entire origin story of "West Side Story.