[.ca] The Making of West Side Story - Conducted by Leonard ...

From Amazon.com:
Filmed in 1984, the feature-length documentary Leonard Bernstein Conducts "West Side Story" follows the composer as he records the first-ever complete recording of his musical-theater masterpiece. Virtually the entire documentary takes place in a New York recording studio with a pick-up orchestra, session singers, and headliners Kiri Te Kanawa (Maria), José Carreras (Tony), Tatiana Troyanos (Anita), and Kurt Ollmann (Riff). The 89-minute program alternates rehearsal footage with complete final takes of the main numbers--including "Tonight," "America," and "Maria"--with limited comments from the principal players. Te Kanawa explains how much the music means to her, Troyanos notes how she grew up in the very streets depicted on stage, and Carreras provides a rare moment of tension when a session ends unsatisfactorily. Bernstein himself is by turns commanding, charming, enthusiastic, and weary. This is a fascinating insight into what happens as a major album is recorded. --Gary S. Dalkin

Excellent but...:
This is an excellent DVD. I however was expecting what I had seen a few years back on PBS. In that version there was far more tension between Carreras and Bernstein. Carreras, whom I believe had just found out he had leukaemia, walked out in the middle of rehearsal after Bernstein picked him apart. Although there is not all that tension present in this DVD, it is still a good look inside the making of this recording. Watching the performance of the singers, musicians, and Bernstein is a far better treat then just listening to them on a CD. I do believe it has been whitewashed by removing a lot of the tense moments which is why I didn't give it 5 stars.

West Side Story:
When I first played this DVD it instantly became my favorite. The music is superb and it shows a lot of what it took to make music recordings before the digital age. My DVD was damaged and I am now orderring a replacement.

Great Memory of Bernstein:
What a great find! Watching Bernstein conduct his most famous popular piece is amazing. His wit, style, temper, intensity are all present. A very straightforward account of the recording of this double cd set using opera stars as "cast" members. All of the stars perform well. Carreras is an interesting study here as he takes on the role of Tony. A very talented man, he is at once brilliant and very human as he tries to overcome his inner demons. His "Maria" is especially fine. The chorus performs well also. All in all a tribute to Leonard Bernstein while serving as a behind the scenes peak at true creativity.