Leonard Bernstein: West Side Story, studio-takes. (6)

[@maestralala]

Because Bernstein begged him to come and save the production less than a week before the 1st recording session, Carreras had only 2 or 3 days to learn his entire role - the most musically and vocally challenging in the show. The other singers had 6 months or more to learn their parts. This information might put things into a different light for you.

[@tpte]

Thank you so much for putting that into perspective maestralala.

[@jcmurengezi]

Where did you find this information, please ?

[@felixayala05]

Carreras looks stressed. :)

[@kingsasquatch]

@@felixayala05 carreras looks like billy crystal here

[@Itstonytime77]

6 months to learn a score is a long time...try doing the show in summer stock here maybe you have a week to learn a show lol.

[@passatboi]

Watching this stresses me out ;)

[@DavidAsset78]

Through it all Carreras never lost his temper, even though he was clearly annoyed that his one request to sing the last three bars alone was turned down. He's got true character.

[@maestralala]

I have frequently posted about Carreras's performance in this recording in the comments on other clips, but I see I must set the record straight here, too. Carreras was the FOURTH tenor to be hired for this project - Shicoff/Hadley/Domigo all cancelled out - and LENNY picked Carreras, not the record label. Carreras agreed on a couple of days' notice to learn this difficult score from scratch, fly to NYC and record it. Carreras saved the recording project by saying "yes" when Lenny begged.

[@lisalawyer-ym3ix]

I’ve been a violist my entire life and have played this score many times. I never get sick of it. I truly great piece of work❤️

[@maestralala]

As I've posted elsewhere, many of the final singers were not originally cast. Julia Migenes-Johnson was the original "Maria", with Neil Shicoff as Tony. Both had conflicts and had to be replaced. "Tony" was then offered to Jerry Hadley, then Domingo, both of whom accepted, then later cancelled due to conflicts. Carreras agreed to sing at the 59th minute of the 11th hour, learned the role overnight, and saved the recording. Kiri showed up with laryngitis. None of this appears in the BBC film.

[@maestralala]

Continuing: What is shown in the TV "documentary" is, in fact, the BBC producer's VERSION of what really happened in the studio, manipulated through editing to tell whatever story the filmmaker thought would make a sensational film. I was there. Lenny did not lose his temper @ Carreras. (Again, manipulation of perception via film editing.) Carreras - a notorious perfectionist - got frustrated with himself at his mistakes, but Lenny was overjoyed with Jose for saving the recording

[@joaquin8670]

How lucky you are to have met Leonard. Where you in the recording?

[@maestralala7993]

@@joaquin8670 Yes, I sang on this recording. I make a few brief appearances in the video but I had a front row view of the goings-on, both what made it into the final edit and what ended up on the cutting room floor. It's the footage that didn't make it into the final edit that would have told the far more interesting story, in my opinion. I'd also just finished a 7-month stint rehearsing and singing with LB in NYC, Milan (Italy), and Wash DC (Kennedy Ctr) in his final opera, "A Quiet Place." Five of us from that cast then rejoined LB at RCA Studios in Rockefeller Center, NYC a month later for this recording.

[@joaquin8670]

@@maestralala7993 I envy you. You worked with one of the musicians i love the most. I'm sure it must have been an amazing experience. It is very pleasing to hear stories of these extraordinary characters from those people who were lucky enough to meet and work with them at some point.

[@carolemalezija1816]

I’ve become obsessed with Bernstein. Perfectionist. So difficult to work with. Brilliant. I worked in a male dominated field of law enforcement from 1990 to 2017. I was a civilian victim advocate and I would never let anybody talk to me the way he does but times have changed they have really changed. His brilliance has gone down in history.❤

[@MaestraWashu]

I agree that Lenny and Jose aren't mad at each other here. Lenny's mad at the guys who were supposed to communicate the changes in the music but didn't, and they're both mad at the producers for cutting off the rehearsal.

[@rileysilosmusic]

Power of editing

[@dannugentactorfilmmaker]

carreras is one of the greatest singers to ever sing this song maria, yes he has an accent, but quite the contrary his voice is very powerful. remember this was a rehearsal, but the final product is genius.

[@davidsalomon8426]

Bernstein was a music genius, but he was a diva. Carreras has been one of the finest voices in the world of opera and a great person.

[@williambrewer4261]

He just couldn't count!!!

[@maestralala7993]

Genius deserves some accommodation....

[@cindymaceda2999]

“Four o’clock in the fucking morning, I was up doing this, why didn’t you deliver these messages. “ 😅😅

[@maestralala]

Continuing: Carreras had not grown up knowing this music since childhood, as had other cast members. He learned the lead male role of what amounts to a contemporary opera (rhythmically and melodically challenging) in a matter of a few days, whereas the other cast members had at least 5 or 6 months to prepare this music. Carreras's arrangement with Lenny stipulated that each evening, Lenny would work with Carreras, coaching him on each next day's recording assignment. (cont.)

[@mountainlinx]

Leonard Bernstein is a true Genius!!!

[@raymondravinsky6478]

Happy 100th Birthday, Maestro. I wish you were still around, on planet earth. Can't ever get enough of these studio-takes. I am fascinated and enchanted by them, more and more💞

[@cindymaceda2999]

The most beautiful love song ever written in history. 😮

[@lisameyer2238]

Poor carreras. He sings beautiful.

[@raulpierri]

Clash of temperaments but encounter of talents. It sounds beautiful!!!

[@olenyushka]

Thank you for posting this film! Bernstein is my favorit composer and dirigent! So wonderful music, and so wonderful to see maestro at work! Thank you and thank you again!

[@litamtondy]

4:05 'Ma porco Iddio!' AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@vaclavkohout]

Every perfect thing is hard to make. No matter if its Bernsteins musical or Jobs iphone. Thanks for this hard working people brings theirs ideas into real life.

[@sopranosd]

I agree. I know we all get frustrated, especially when recording and having to do like a million takes, but Bernstein could at least have apologized to Carreras.

[@jimh.1814]

Yes, and in front of those who saw his behaviour toward Pepe.

[@maestralala7993]

Who's to say he didn't? Remember - what you are seeing is the videographer's edited version of the events.

[@LordoftheJimmy]

There's no doubt that Jose Carreras is a spectacular opera singer (one of the best) but casting him for this style of music, and for the role of Polish-American boy Tony, is as ridiculous as if they had casted Natalie Wood to play a Puerto-Rican... oh wait...

[@AnteoTesila]

HAHAAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH screaming XD

[@johnrobinsoniii4028]

But Miss Wood DID play a Puerto Rican...And very well,too!

[@signekroner4588]

Totally true, he is just not right at all for this.

[@angelthman1659]

It's not a casting situation. It's an interpretation of the music. Ethnicity or accents don't matter in singing when the record is the standalone product. It's about the music, not the play/movie.

[@jaimhaas5170]

I agree with you. The cultural shock must have been multiplied so much.

[@snootzie78]

4:08 Carreras was like, "Fuck this! I'm going home."

[@giacomoc4119]

He literally cursed in italian

[@RiccardoPeruginiCompositore]

Ahahahahah porcoddio

[@gianlu1342]

Carreras uno di noi “porcoiddio”

[@bluegal50]

Ah, the creative process...it really is like giving birth... So painful at times in the process...the stress, the conflict...it's all about striving for the perfection that each artist sees and wishes to bring into the equation...An "easy" conflict free rehearsal does not always mean that perfection has been/is being achieved...A little blood, sweat and tears along the way can bring out the best in everyone involved...The audience does not often get to see this side. In the end pure joy! Beauty!

[@PhillipLWilcher]

Indeed. It's a musical about street kids - a modern day Romeo and Juliet . As a musical it will never be bettered, of that I am sure. Bernstein at his best - Tonight - the 5 part harmony - wonderful! Blessings your way.....

[@darkprose]

Oh, of course! Editing is a powerful thing, for good or ill. Again, thank you for giving us a larger glimpse of this fascinating recording. Major kudos.

[@snootzie78]

"Carreras. I'll never stop saying Carreras." LMAO

[@jlapierremusic]

''...I was up at 4 o'clock in the FUCKING MORNING!'' o__O

[@emitch9213]

You were not the one singing for that Divo Bernstein

[@v4v819]

Now a days everyone is up at 4 for work...It's everyday bro!

[@cindymaceda2999]

I fell in love with Carreras all over again here.😊

[@skyillegaldiver8962]

Goosebumps!!!

[@tukilala]

Carreras el mejor cantante de todos los tiempos !!!!! BRAVO MAESTRO !!!!!!!

[@טורפרנקה]

Bernstein the best maestro... Perfect ears and wonderful arrangements. Be missing his legacy

[@oscaralcala14]

it's so unfair to cut the next scene After this Mr. Carreras give the best performace i've ever heard of this beatiful song

[@triangleMeansLove]

Leonard Bernstein war einfach ein Perfektionist. (: Und so genial.

[@oonaboona]

Bernstein's like a coach demanding the best from his players. It all paid off. Beautiful.

[@tenorite]

PORCO IDDIO.....nice Carreras!!! Very professional!!!

[@Artemisiainspain]

Cross with himself

[@spokeshole]

Bernstein was GENIOUS and Jose looks so young and adorable here.

[@maestralala]

No, recorded/shot at RCA Studios in NYC in September 1984. I was there.

[@aikiminomori2261]

No one seems happy here and it shows in the music. Recording sessions are always stressful but to deal with a miscast? I do my own recording, I know my voice, temperament, ability and limit. I never sing songs that don't suit my voice or temperament or style, no matter how much I love the song. I would have someone else sing it. But this video is a good reminder to all of us. It's not about how great a singer you are, but it is about choosing the right singer for the right song.

[@MAURICO2]

The Bernstein/ Carreras interaction was about simple execution. Carreras was about to sing several "Marias" but got confused & stopped. Bernstein was mouthing the rhythmic pattern to Carreras but he was looking at his music. Earlier Bernstein noted that Carreras had not taken a breath between "I'll never stop saying" and "Maria, Maria" One cannot sing both of those long phrases without a breath (I know because I sing Maria). Carreras, upset with himself, asked to rehearse alone & come back.

[@norisv]

To me, Carreras's voice has a more suitable timbre for the song "Maria" than Placido's. Placido just couldn't go any lighter on some of these higher notes, but Carreras did them perfectly. The fullness of Placido's voice has to be there for the higher notes, it's just the way his voice is. Both voices are great, but in this song, you can hear how beautiful Carreras' voice is.

[@katef6154]

How odd that the poster has failed to include the perfect take of Maria that follows this in the program. The next video in this series is One Hand one heart. Why no showing the completed Maria. - is it to make Carreras look bad

[@ilBUZZo]

Ahahahah did Carrera just say Porco Iddio at the end??!! Ahahahh

[@aspexxx]

MA POCO IDDIO!! What a bad word to God in a perfect italian!! Carreras went insane ahahahah

[@MikeAgoBrigante]

Porco*

[@zjkingsley7]

Little did he know, but Leonard Bernstein was making a far better drama in the studio.

[@SamIAm-kz4hg]

When I was at university Phil Nimmons ran the jazz band. He is the only person I've ever met who I can say was a genius. He was a WONDERFUL man. But I remember him struggling with us at times, and often think now how hard it would be to deal with those of us who are simply not on their level. Bernstein was a genius.

[@Shamsithaca]

Man that was hard work! I totally understand Carerras. However, its the Maestro, the legend, what an honor to hear him expect nothing but perfection. I would be flabberghasted if he showed me how to deliver a piece.

[@MAURICO2]

There's no melodrama here about who else should be singing Maria or who's not open minded about singing styles. Carreras was simply upset with himself because he got confused about the rhythm of the song and felt he was letting everyone down. He wanted to work on the problem alone and come back. Bernstein genuinely tried to encourage him when he said Youre singing beautifully and he thought it could be worked out in another take or two.

[@jimh.1814]

and he whined "Oh come on."

[@Rinhos]

It didn't seem to me that Lenny lost his patience with Carreras....at opposite he said Carreras that he did it wonderfully and it wasn't necessary to record those bars alone.

[@borisvonderlinde5184]

He is treated like a school boy.

[@annanoli]

note the upset Josè violently blaspheming in italian at 04:08. i wonder what the subtitle means...

[@johnrobinsoniii4028]

I don't know Italian,but what ever it was...I'm sure it wasn't good.

[@rtega]

Honestly, I think both are rather kind to each other given the musical problems. This probably has more to do with the fact that they both knew they were being filmed. I can only imagine the outburst that would have ensued when to filming crew would have been present.

[@piax00]

i think they were both pissed off at the producers, not at each other. Bernstein frustrated at the producers not communicating changes to the orchestra, and Carreras, for cutting the rehearsal at that point.

[@darkprose]

Thanks so much for this information! It surely gives it a different tone. Most appreciated.

[@IZS13020]

Two Greats....Enough said......

[@chrish12345]

all the sweet ladies run up to him at the end

[@PhillipLWilcher]

Dare I say it : I doubt any of these wonderful songs from WSS were intended for such trained voices - as great as Carreras and Co. are WSS is not an opera. It's simply the greatest musical of all time and I love it to death. Like Streisand's "Classical Barbra", or Nureyev tap dancing,it doesn't quite work, as great as it is. Thoughts anyone??

[@richardknott4626]

Yes, to me Carreras or any opera singer, wonderful as he may be, is wrong for WSS. Does a production allow a listener to fall into the music, absorbing him? Or distract him from so doing? The way an opera singer sings distracts me for the part of Tony. Carreras really sings powerfully in places, which can be enjoyed in opera, but seems overplayed for this role.

[@PhillipLWilcher]

@@richardknott4626 Yes, I agree. It tends to be overusing but not even that with Carreras in this instance. It's an awkward fit, as awkward was Barbra Streisand singing classical arias etc. It doesn't quite work. And this is not to be the purist. Not at all. Nureyev tap dancing in the film "Valentino" is no Fred Astaire. Blessings!

[@NedRorem]

No, I am just a fan. I am Italian, as you can read. By the way, I just conducted the Italian prémiere of Love Alone (for male choir and piano 4 hands) here in Italy. Good luck with the trio!

[@flaviocruciani8563]

04:08

[@waterbe3564]

4:06 what did he say?

[@isaiahhiggins]

A genius with a vision is a force to be reckoned with. Unless its Bernstein, then you have no hope of reckoning with it.

[@PhillipLWilcher]

And to all this I'll add that I can't hear the name Maria and not think of Bernstein. He gave that name one of the most beautiful melodies in the world.....

[@maestralala]

I hope others will bother to read my posts before writing rude and uninformed remarks. It's not that I'm trying to defend Carreras - it's that I'm trying to defend REALITY - what really happened in that room on that day. The documentary footage does not portray reality - it portrays a fiction concocted through manipulated editing of unrelated film footage by the BBC documentary director. Certain "news" organizations are expert in this (manipulating perception of reality via editing).

[@Kalypsa777]

I have read all your comments, thanks for clarifying the situation of Carreras,

[@jimh.1814]

Of all the comments, and I've read them all, yours are the most informative. I've not seen anyone address the fact that Bernstein might easily not have had enough sleep (up until 4 am in the f...... morning.). Though Bernstein repeatedly tried to be patient, I think his body language and tone show barely contained frustration/anger, and in some ways he humiliated Carreras, hence, "Ma porco Dio." Yes he was probably very frustrated with himself too. Carreras was, as you pointed out, doing him a favor to take the part in the last minute. If they worked together each evening as you wrote, I would have hoped for a better understanding from the composer/conductor. Of course singer's are supposed to deliver what the composer wants (and maybe somehow make the part their own if allowed by the conductor).

[@rexlex1736]

Bernstein was definitely a musical genius. I've often wondered what it was like to work for him.

[@jaimhaas5170]

Amazing to find such a perfectionist. Rare for sure.

[@andreamarchetti4744]

4:06 Carreras feeling good! 😀

[@mongio66]

ahahah most beautiful sounding bestemmia in the world :-)

[@andreamarchetti4744]

@@mongio66 Leonard Besteimm ahahahah

[@mongio66]

@@andreamarchetti4744 Carreras IDOLO

[@57dogsbody]

Oh Dear, Hissy fits a go go !

[@carlawsky]

Its a beatiful voice, come on! Not like the typical american voices without blood and passion!

[@b43xoit]

"I'll never stop saying Carreras." Heh, heh.

[@pinastracquadaini5649]

Leonard Bemstein :me parece demasiado exigente ,para un musical ,cuando el maestro CARRERA es un gran tenor muy destacado cantando ópera !!

[@harrietgate]

Yo creo tambien.

[@oliviergarcia8030]

Leonard Bernstein es el verdadero maestro

[@Artemisiainspain]

El mejor musical escrito jamas! Carreras y Bernstein que lujazo!

[@DualThunder]

because when you compose a piece of music that is your own, you only have 1 way of hearing it, and when you have musicians playing your own music, though it maybe perhaps narrow minded and ignorant, the composer wants it to sound like it is in his head, so it's understandable that bernstein gets passionate about exactly what he wants in the music. its not that carreras is not good at the role, he is a stunning musician, but it is the idea of working with the composer and knowing what he wants

[@rr7firefly]

I actually take the side of Carreras. I don't blame him for his tantrum at the end. I'd be frustrated too. Bernstein comes off as a temperamental bully in this video.

[@maestralala7993]

You've obviously never worked with brilliant internationally-renowned conductors before!

[@rr7firefly]

@@maestralala7993 Does Michael Tilson Thomas count? He is always very respectful to orchestra members and to those who assist in supporting positions. I have never seen him carry on like a prima donna (Bernstein)

[@maestralala7993]

I've worked in association with MTT, too, who revered LB. No, I'm talking about conductors at the level of Karajan and Kleiber, as was LB. My point is that genius sometimes colors outside the lines.

[@Mailmin]

"4 o clock in the Fucking morning!!!" hahahaha classic!

[@MAURICO2]

Why such an angry reaction to a discussion about something that happened almost 25 years ago? Mr. Carreras does not need inarticulate defenders. Jose Carreras is a great singer, one of my favorites. I was not questioning his talent. I only stated that he was not fully prepared to sing "Maria" in this video clip. It is a difficult song. Everyone, no matter how talented has to rehearse, and do so for some songs more than others. He did ultimately sing "Maria" on the published recording.

[@jimh.1814]

Read all the comments--Pepe had very little time to learn the part.

[@MrAndrimoro]

grandissimo lenny!!!!

[@misterfunnybones]

The never ending problem of trying to perform something exactly as the conductor hears it in his head.

[@shanej.stever1413]

Not just conductor, but the genius composer.

[@wickster2121]

I wonder if they're unionized or 4:29 have strict studio time and timed out...which is why they couldn't do the 3 bars. who knows. It seems like a reasonable request, but thats the only logical reason i could see them dismissing. or good editing.

[@swanningaround]

Dual. I'm sure that Leni is big enough to appreciate the many different ways of appreciating the music. He always seems to like Kiri Te Kanawa's singing though. It do agree with most of what you say.

[@JoshFreilich]

My point exactly, but although you need real singers to do something like WEST SIDE STORY, you can't have too operatic voices. If you want to hear great legit, yet still mostly youthful, voices in WEST SIDE STORY, listen to the Nashville Symphony recording.

[@Duncanish41]

I bought the LP (at the time) and have the whole video of that recording and I think Carreras was the wromg tenor for that song.

[@Agorante]

Carreras was not the first choice for this recording. As I remember they wanted Jerry Hadley or Neil Shicoff - both of whom are Americans. As it turned out the CD was a huge hit largely because of Carreras. He struggled with the accent but the voice itself was supernal. Carreras was considered a pretty good musician. He picked up roles quickly - unlike Pavarotti. He wasn't a musical marvel like Domingo but in the end Carreras sings this music best of the three.

[@gucker07]

great cinema!

[@JoshFreilich]

I wholeheartedly agree. West Side Story is not, has never been, and will never be considered an opera.

[@2ears1mouth786]

i wonder if Carreras could raise his music stand, so that he can see the conductor over his sheets?? isn't this an obvious compromise?

[@maestralala]

I don't believe even Carreras himself knew he was suffering from leukemia when this recording was made - his diagnosis came much later, and certainly Bernstein would not have known.

[@robertfrankgill5962]

Who is that lovely lady? 4:38 to end.

[@lordspazio8176]

🤣🤣🤣ma porco iddiooo

[@inmylife9]

Veramente un idolo! José ti adoro...ahahahahahahah

[@NedRorem]

Veramente dice: "Ma porco Iddio!" Mitico Carreras! L'avrà imparato dalla Katia? Comunque non si era studiato tanto la parte. Non mi sembra che la tensione sia poi tanto alta. Bernstein si scoccia un po' perché, sembrerebbe, alcune modifiche che aveva chiesto di scrivere sulle parti non sono state fatte. Ma tutto qui. Lenny è un amore. Carreras è nervoso solo perché ha Bernstein davanti a lui e lui non si è imparato la parte a perfezione.

[@flaviocruciani8563]

sembra che abbia avuto meno tempo del ne cessario

[@annamariadienes1024]

Thank you!Genius :)

[@mckavitt3557]

Poor Jose Carreras is so uncomfortable. My heart goes out to him. Lenny flirting openly w a tenor who hates it so much he pretends not to understand it. Who can blame him? What came over Bernstein? He knew Carreras was straight, so why embarrass him like that, if not for revenge for NOT reciprocating Lenny's obvious attraction?

[@danielparra5173]

mckavitt It doesn’t have to do anything with attraction. Carreras was screwing the music SO bad.

[@dennisdeemii]

I can't make the connection. Can you help me understand what you mean?

[@malusofficial]

As a gay man and a musician I can tell you Bernstein wasn’t flirting, it was an extremely frustrating situation because Bernstein was being highly impatient with his colleague (Carreras) even tho he only had barely any time to learn his part since he was called for the role last minute. Bernstein was expecting a fully American jazz singer who had months of preparation but only had an opera singer (an entirely different rhythmic style) with only days of preparation. There was no romantic interest on either side, just frustration due to a lack of patience and professional understanding on Bernstein’s part.

[@kboyer1]

I will admit I did go over the line, but I hate when people put down other performers. Ok, I will say in Leonard's defense his music was his life. I will agree it may have not been the wisest choice to use opera singers to record this musical, but Carreras does have a fine voice, true his diction was off but the energy and emotion he puts into it is amazing. I do agree that Carreras could have handled it better. But Bernstein could have to.

[@whoopsala2589]

If you say that he is arrogant and e.t.c you sure havent worked with conductors, and you dont know what you are talking about :)

[@emitch9213]

Blah blah

[@malusofficial]

Conductor here, I can tell you from a professional standpoint that Bernstein’s behavior was inexcusable. Carreras had days to learn his part after being called last minute, for a genre and of music more rhythmically unfamiliar to him. Conductors can be firm, but to get frustrated with an opera singer playing the role of an American jazz singer with little to no prep time is just ridiculous. Are you sure you know what you’re talking about?

[@kovvvas]

Rock music has nothing to do with this. You'll find this same environment in a modern recording studio. Professionalism has never been the strongest asset of rock music anyway.

[@shelleyop26]

I think Kiri de Kanawa was right later in the documentary when she says you do not have to be so 'exact' about this music. But Carreras is probably used to Opera buffs who generally care more about if a singer misses a C or whatever than the general feel. I am an opera fan btw! He seems to be trying to hit the right notes in a perfectionist way rather than concerntrating on the pronunciation.

[@SexyHogwarts]

WOW! This is dramatic! I would be so stressed out to sing in front of him! ay ay ay poor Carrerras!

[@swanningaround]

That's obvious. I think that Carreras is fantastic in this role. I don;t know why Leni has problems with him. Of course Placido is great too. I love them both.

[@darrocco]

one istant...there ...only one istant

[@ankavanderhoeven7765]

Legendarische opnames

[@p3trichor]

ma il bestemmione di Carrera a 4:07?

[@cindymaceda2999]

What di it mean ?

[@NicolaJiang]

4:06 bestemmia di carreras

[@raulpierri]

Sorry, but you said that it was not the right voice. I agree with you about the importance of being a good musician. Anyway, I think its a beautiful voice, and to achieve that kind of sound is a hard hard hard work, musical talent, sensibility, etc. You have to admit it too.