Day 14 Bernstein

He’s one of my favorite composers; Leonard Bernstein. West Side Story. Candide. 3 Symphonies. Choral works. And so many more.

I invite you to visit Bernstein’s YouTube channel. You’ll find many videos of him discussing various composers and their works. Like this one about the Scherzo movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1.

But before you go traipsing off to Bernstein-land, listen to his music, this opening from the film, On The Waterfront, starring Marlon Brando.

What a beautiful, haunting theme runs through this piece. First played by French Horn, then flute and an echoing muted trombone. Pounding timpani. Then a streetwise saxophone plays a variation of the theme. Shades of Cool from West Side Story.