"Laurence Payne" NOSPAMlpayne1ATdsl.pipex.com wrote in message
...
On Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:48:31 -0000, "David Looser"
wrote:

About 20 years ago there was a TV documentary about the making of the DG
album of West Side Story with opera starts such as Kiri Te Kanawa and Jose
Carreras and conducted by Bernstein himself. I still have my off-air
recording of the documentary.

What surprised me was that although it was a multi-track recording using
many microphones, and in short takes subsequently edited together, it was
recorded with all the musicians, including the singers, in the same space
and performing at the same time.

That's how you do opera.

I'll take your word for it.

A most peculiar project, wasn't it? Opera singers who couldn't cope
with the rhythms and a Tony who sounded more Hispanic than any of the
Sharks! The only number that survives is "Krupke" to my mind.

I agree. ISTM that Te Kanawa and Carreras were both hired because they were
big names rather than because they were suitable for the roles. IMO neither
sounded right. I thought "America" also survived quite well though.

I was also amused by Bernstein's enthusiastic praise for the score. A
certain lack of modesty there I thought. :-)

David.


David.