The Somewhere Project: The Music of West Side Story

The music of West Side Story successfully captures the emotional landscape of the story, simultaneously bringing it to life. Music Director Marin Alsop reflects upon the sophisticated and complex score that is somehow conveyed quite simply in the musical. The tritone, or the Devil's Interval, has become the characteristic trademark of West Side Story that represents all of the conflict that begs for resolution. This is episode 8 of Soundfly's free series "The Somewhere Project." Watch the next video in the series here:    • The Somewhere Project: Innovations  .

Learn more about the memorable melodic themes of West Side Story by signing up for the full course at http://soundfly.com/westsidestory.

The Somewhere Project: A West Side Story Companion is part of Carnegie Hall's Somewhere Project, a new initiative drawing inspiration from West Side Story to redefine New York City as a "place for us." For more information, visit http://carnegiehall.org/westsidestory.

The course features interviews with some of the top experts, including:

Jamie Bernstein, Leonard Bernstein's daughter
Marin Alsop, music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Amanda Dehnert, acclaimed director and associate professor at Northwestern
Leslie Stifelman, music director of Chicago: The Musical
Melissa Rae Mahon, Broadway performer
Charles Burchell, cultural diplomat
Julio Monge, Broadway performer and choreographer
Carly Hughes, Broadway performer
Ryan Worsing, Broadway performer

The recording of "Somewhere" is from the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein, performed by the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America.

Vocal excerpts from West Side Story are from the Original Broadway Cast Recording.

Other excerpts from West Side Story are also performed by the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America.

Additional music was created by Ian Temple & Martin D Fowler.