Leonard Bernstein

1918–1990

On the Waterfront and West Side Story

Leonard Bernstein was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1918 and became perhaps the most famous American musician of the 20th century. He studied at Harvard and the Curtis Institute, and in 1943, as the New York Philharmonic's 25-year-old assistant conductor, he stepped in at the last minute for an ailing Bruno Walter in a nationally broadcast concert. He became an overnight sensation and later served as the Philharmonic's music director from 1958 to 1969.

Bernstein moved easily between the concert hall and Broadway. His ballet Fancy Free grew into the musical On the Town (1944), about three sailors on shore leave in New York. He went on to write Wonderful Town, Candide and, with lyricist Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story (1957), a retelling of Romeo and Juliet among rival New York gangs. Its 1961 film version won ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and songs such as "Maria," "Tonight" and "America" became standards.

Bernstein wrote only one original film score, for Elia Kazan's On the Waterfront (1954). From its lonely opening horn solo to its violent percussion, the music captures the film's brutal dockside world and the awakening conscience of Marlon Brando's ex-boxer. It earned an Oscar nomination and lives on as a concert suite.

A brilliant teacher on television through his Young People's Concerts, and a composer of symphonies, a Mass and choral works, Bernstein died in New York in 1990. He was no relation to film composer Elmer Bernstein.

THE ART

Music by Leonard Bernstein

Art celebrating his film scores. Click any piece to view it larger.

THE FILMS

The Story and the Score

On the Waterfront (1954)

The Story

Ex-boxer Terry Malloy works for a corrupt union boss on the New Jersey docks. After a friend is murdered, Terry is torn between loyalty and conscience, encouraged by the victim's sister and a crusading priest. Marlon Brando won an Oscar in Elia Kazan's drama, which won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

The Music

Bernstein's only original film score opens with a lonely French horn solo, then erupts into violent percussion. The music captures Terry's inner struggle and the brutality of the docks, while a tender love theme underlines his relationship with Edie. The score earned an Oscar nomination and became a concert suite.

West Side Story (1961)

The Story

On New York's West Side, two rival gangs, the Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks, battle for territory. Tony, a former Jet, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the Sharks' leader, setting off a tragedy. Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer star in this musical retelling of Romeo and Juliet.

The Music

Bernstein's score blends Broadway, jazz and Latin rhythms. Songs such as "Maria," "Tonight" and "America" became standards, and the dance music of the Prologue and the "Dance at the Gym" drives the drama. The film won ten Academy Awards, including one for its musical scoring.