Brilliant composing

[Jim]

Oh yea, the choreography also helped turn the film into a masterpiece. And the way Wise directed it... on location... which I believe was unusual for the time. I don't know much about choreographers, but I was impressed with Fosse's sexy work in All That Jazz, and became a fan of his work after seeing that, which in turn led me to appreciate the dancing when revisiting WSS.


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[kinnylandrum]

The "West Side Story" dance arrangements are by Betty Walberg (deceased). She was an amazing musician and killer sight-reader. She also wrote the "Bottle Dance" for Fiddler on the Roof (uncredited!) and a fair number of other 'ghosted' projects. She was paid very well for them, but someone else got the royalties... <sigh>

I beg to differ with you. I think Sid Ramin wrote the dance arrangements for WSS. I know for a fact that he did the Symphonic Dances for orchestra, because it's dedicated to him. He was my contact who brought me to Lenny.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I beg to differ with you. I think ...

Please don't beg

Here is a link to the NY Public Library site, which says, in part, regarding Betty:

"Her credits include dance arrangements for the original productions of Jerome Robbins••™ Gypsy, (1961) and Fiddler on the Roof, (1964) and for both the Broadway and film version of West Side Story, (1957 and 1961)..."

http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:F1L ... cd=5&gl=us

I worked with Betty for many years and doubt she would have lied about it. It is possible they both worked on it in varying capacities. My understanding is that Betty actually created the arrangements which may have been orchestrated by Sid.

[kinnylandrum]

My understanding is that Betty actually created the arrangements which may have been orchestrated by Sid.

You're probably right. I just know for sure that Sid did the Symphonic Dances.