Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Johnny Green – West Side Story (The Original Sound Track Recording) (VG+/VG+) – LP, AU

West Side Story (The Original Sound Track Recording) is an LP by Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Johnny Green, George Chakiris, Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno released on the Coronet label.

About this album

West Side Story stands as one of the great musical soundtracks, matching Leonard Bernstein's sophisticated score with Stephen Sondheim and lyrics that turned the Broadway hit into enduring screen drama. Issued in 1961, the original soundtrack recording preserves the sweep, tension and melodic invention that made the story of rival New York gangs a cultural landmark. From 'Maria' and 'Tonight' to 'America', the songs balance romance, violence and social conflict with unusual force. Its blend of Latin rhythms, jazz colouring and classical discipline helped set a high-water mark for film musicals and kept the album central to the genre's history.