West Side Story study score

[Rick Averill]

I have given myself a gift to help me while away the time during the coronavirus quarantine: the study score of the complete original orchestrations of West Side Story from Boosey and Hawkes. It is a wonderfully produced volume, meticulously engraved, printed on heavy paper, and elegantly hard bound. This is the only Broadway score to ever be given this treatment, and if only one show can claim that honor, I’m glad it’s this one. It was masterfully orchestrated. I know a tremendous amount of work went into this, for a product with such a limited market, so it is a real thrill to be able to have this. It just arrived this morning from England, and I know I have many fruitful hours of study in store.

[mikehalloran]

That is way cool.

There's a documentary on the Sid Ramens and Irwin Kostal's orchestration of this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C01aS6jnN08

[stubbsonic]

I've always loved the music of West Side Story-- much more than I love the story, script, or the show as a whole. I just think the music is amazing.

I picked up a vocal score of Sunday in the Park with George a couple years ago, and occasionally open it up and pick something to study. It is a lovely lesson in composition.

Thanks for the link to the orchestration vid. I look forward to watching that.

[primeevolutionary]

I own this as well and used to really enjoy playing and singing this score when I got it in 2003. It’s pretty difficult and there are parts where it becomes a three handed score, so, I used to record one staff at a time and play over the recording and sing over it. Fun stuff! Great transcription!

[Rick Averill]

Primeevolutionary: It sounds as though you’re speaking about the piano/vocal score. I’ve had that for years as well. And I agree about it’s difficulty. The study score that I received today is the full orchestra score.

[primeevolutionary]

Gotcha! You are correct. Oh well. Still a great book!