West Side Story - Maria (Carreras)

[@martinda7446]

Poor Jose had trouble with Bernstein, but this moment made it all worth it...for them both and all of us.

[@KmwAmg]

Bernstein was horrible to him ! Perhaps Bernstein was frustrated because he would have loved to date Jose !

[@Thedearster]

@@KmwAmg Lmao!!

[@laytonlian3242]

You all prolly dont give a damn but does any of you know of a trick to log back into an instagram account..? I somehow forgot the account password. I would love any tips you can give me!

[@laytonlian3242]

@Kaleb Theodore Thanks for your reply. I got to the site on google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff now. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@laytonlian3242]

@Kaleb Theodore It worked and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thank you so much, you saved my account :D

[@MarySmith-gu5nb]

OMG. Maybe the most beautiful performance ever.

[@lucindafelan9453]

Wow! Jose Carreras interpretation of Maria is exquisite.

[@fartx211]

0:42 You know shit's going down when Leonard Bernstein takes off his glasses.

[@IncompleteLegacy]

True that!

[@markschafer1828]

indeed....

[@lisameyer2238]

Yeah

[@nighthawk292]

Lol

[@marcobaratta2920]

😂😂😂

[@johnathonbowling6308]

I got emotional when he just let that high Bb (or is it A?) rang out. It was on point, resonant, and natural. He didn't force it. Nobody will sing this song better than Jose! NOBODY!

[@Tahaaofficial31]

It was a Bb 😊

[@segismundofreud]

mucho falsete

[@una4all1]

Agree, Carreras maintains power in the upper register while keeping a wide open sound that the word "Maria" so requires in order to capture the sense that he is soaring through the skies with elation over this dreamy girl, Maria. So many other versions, the singers start to tighten up and start to sing "muh-ri-uh." Carreras opens his mouth and sings "MAAAAA-RREE-AAAH!" You just get lost in it.

[@reim2024]

Definitely the best version ever! The tone of his voice perfectly fits this song.

[@pksferdinandd8227]

You mean timbre, not tone

[@markschafer1828]

Timbre.. Tone...😏

[@dannydenenberg]

yes!

[@yerinsimveronica1355]

😊

[@unitedstatesdale]

So true

[@alexanderlopez3033]

People really don’t understand how hard it is to maintain perfect resonance and intonation, is so very hard to do. This is nothing short of insane!

[@Rt-uu4yo]

Makes me tear up every time I listen…. I know Maestro was tough on Jose, but they worked hard and produced this. Bravo!

[@lim7lim]

the most beautiful voice singing this song I ever heard

[@marcominelli2578]

לימור Limor t

[@marcominelli2578]

לימור Limor

[@basti9938]

לימור Limor ne

[@coreycox2345]

Linked in is a CIA spying tool.

[@coreycox2345]

I must listen to it again.

[@bethfiori4708]

Carreras imbues the song with passion and sensitivity, power and subtlety. He is a charismatic actor, refined singer, and gorgeous man, yet his performances encourage you to pay attention to the music and sentiment. A true artist!

[@laDy_A1ram]

The first “Maria” he says is perfect and gets me every time.

[@bravaLiz]

I only have 4 words: I JUST LOVE THIS!

[@guidoviana049]

Me too

[@antonioargueso2720]

Very beautiful.

[@williamrice8882]

The high B-flat sung by Jose is, to put it simply, NOTHING SHORT OF INCREDIBLE, AND SPINE CHILLING. ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS WITH THE POWER TO SET THE HAIR ON THE BACK OF ONE'S NECK TO STAND STRAIGHT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT IS FLAWLESS!! For those who can't place the recording's age, it was done in the mid to late 1980's and originally released as digital vinyl stereo records. I purchased the LP 3 record set and still have them. When it was released on CD, I bought the single disc highlights CD. I still have that too. I studied music seriously at the university level as a voice major for 2 years, as a lyric tenor. I BLOODY WELL KNOW JUST HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO PRODUCE THE TENOR HIGH NOTES FROM A-FLAT TO HIGH C (AN INTERVAL OF A MAJOR 3RD) WITH THE POWER, TECHNIQUE, AND BEAUTIFUL SOUND PRODUCED BY JOSE. MAYBE IF MORE PEOPLE MAKING COMMENTS KNEW THAT MAESTRO BERNSTEIN COMPOSED THE MUSIC AND REALIZED IT IS A 1950'S RETELLING OF SHAKESPEARE'S ROMEO & JULIET SET IN NYC, THEY JUST MIGHT UNDERSTAND THE MUSICAL A LITTLE BETTER. I WAS NEVER SATISFIED WITH THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING, AND HATED THE FILM SOUNDTRACK EVEN MORE. THE SINGING VOICES OF BOTH NATALIE WOOD AND RICHARD BEYMER WERE DUBBED IN. I read that Jerry Hadley was 1 of the tenors considered for this recording. Sorry to say that Jerry Hadley took his own life at some point during the 1990's over financial difficulties (I don't remember the exact year).

[@eriknystrom5839]

William Rice I bought when it was released on CD. Now I saved it as off-line on my Spotify account. Both Kiri Te Kanawa and Carreras are great on this recording!

[@williamrice8882]

You are so right on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Both Dame Kiri and Jose are incredible vocalists. Truthfully, I much prefer hearing well trained classical singers in some musicals. Maestro Bernstein wrote the high B-flat for the character of Tony in his original score. Larry Kert in the original Broadway Cast recording could not sing it. Neither could the singer who dubbed for Richard Beymer for the film version. Lenny was forced to write lower notes for them. Watching Jose restore the B-flat with Lenny directing is SPINE-CHILLING!!!!!!

[@drygordspellweaver8761]

" I BLOODY WELL KNOW JUST HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO PRODUCE THE TENOR HIGH NOTES FROM A-FLAT TO HIGH C " Please stop acting like you know what you're talking about

[@kenaldri4982]

So we need to "understand the musical a little better" to appreciate the high B-flat? It sounds like you are judging a song based on one note, its singular beauty and the difficulty required to really nail it. True, a well sung operatic B flat is a joy to behold. Shall we write one into every song, then? I have performed West Side Story in the pit orchestra. I could recite every word at one point. Bernstein was a genius. But when I first heard Maria sung this way I was shocked and dismayed. A part of me died. What Jose is able to do vocally doesn't mean a thing to me. Its more about maintaining the context, rhythm, and flow of the song. I would never say that Bernstein "f**ked up". But that is only my brain talking, after all, not my ears nor my memories. I know how people can be prejudiced by their prior history with a piece of music. But there is still, IMHO, only one way to sing Maria, and this is not it :)

[@wotan10950]

William Rice And it’s fantastic that it efficiently serves another purpose - you can easily drive a bus through his tremolo. I will never understand how he became ‘The Third Tenor.’ He is simply awful.

[@anthonybielik287]

1:54 INCREDIBLE NOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@corinneyaworski5274]

All the people that I HAVE HEARD SINGING THIS SONG, HE IS THE BEST!

[@katherinewhelan8904]

WOW! WTF! I thought I had heard some amazing opera... but this version of Maria send shivers up my spine & gave me tingles... Holy Moly! A-MAZING!

[@Dazzletoad]

That old man is awe inspiring. He was connected to that like nothing I've ever seen. Amazing.

[@opertinicy]

Joseph Taggart That 'old man' would be the legendary Leonard Bernstein

[@hankiestate43]

The old man wrote the score😂

[@Shamsithaca]

Incredible B-flat. And to see Maestro Bernstein, ahh what a site to behold.

[@jolicska]

I cant imagine how stressfull it was to work with bernstein's ego and than deliver a perfection like Carreras did. That high B flat... I guess everyone understood how incredible a professional artist he is ...that force of voice propably just resonated in everyone's chest in that room.

[@TheSam6141]

Wow Jose. Perfect. Lovely, beautiful, eloquent, 👏 bravo

[@Eduardo-cc7pp]

Simplemente genial la interpretacion de Maria por José Carreras, donde su viz queda inmortalizada.

[@culturaactiva3505]

Absolutely charming and lovely...Carreras ❤

[@luisantoniosantaanaarechig5454]

After all, Carreras can sing it for us. Both make art for an eternity.

[@feralbluee]

gods, he’s so good. he made this song a poem. i’ve never heard sung so beautifully. he would fit right into the musical play. some of Bernstein’s other choices were just too much.

[@LPJack02]

RIP and long live Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918 - October 14, 1990), aged 72 You will always be remembered as a legend.

[@mloesb]

Fantastic! Carreras and Bernstein at their peak.

[@iainmacdonald8379]

In 2000 I went to New York and stayed for five weeks with an old friend of Bernstein. He told me that Bernstein sat at the piano and played for him some of the big numbers from West Side a few nights before the premier (imagine how great that would have been!). My friend correctly predicted that it would be a huge hit. Interestingly, the man I stayed with was also friends with Dmitri Mitropolous, then Bernstein's mentor as a conductor, who was pissed off that Leonard was 'wasting his time' on trivial musical theatre.

[@MenteAmoryVida]

José en su mejor época, Bernstein fue muy duro con él pero saco una interpretación excelsa que nadie podrá igualar en ese Papel

[@pivofernandez775]

Cuando se mete con el falsete, y en el si b agudo... Cuando canta con su voz real, salvo el si b, bien.

[@juancarlostenor1]

Soporto demasiada humillación,

[@pianolessonsboulder1894]

Careras and Bernstein together. What a precious video ! And a young Careras singiing in English :)

[@Nuyorican_Soul]

This is a religious experience....I saw the face of God listening to this

[@geo865833]

This... this is the very best way to explain it.

[@katef6154]

I remember watching this when it first aired Thank you Mr Bernstein your treatment of Jose Carreras made me a fan... of his

[@Phoenixlechannel]

♫ ♬ ♪ ♩ ♭ ♪ The most beautiful declaration of love I ever heard !... ♫ ♬ ♪ ♩ ♭ ♪

[@gabrielab9038]

Qué belleza!

[@melodyjennings7782]

The guy is sitting! And putting out a most powerful voice. What control and mastery of his own instrument. Best rendition ever sung of this wonderful song.

[@Milordvega]

"All the beautiful sounds of the world in a single word: Carreras, Carreras, Carreras. Carreras, I've just heard a man named Carreras, and suddenly that name will never be the same to me. Carreras, I've just heard a man named Carreras, and suddenly I've found, how wonderful his sound can be. Carreras, I'll never stop hearing Carreras."

[@CountofBeretania]

1:51 WHOOOOAAAH! Magnificent!

[@mikeo77777]

another classic song...what a great composer!

[@valeriezuniga]

Abolutely beautiful.

[@konstantingutternig8354]

Valerie Zuniga suck it

[@bungalow563]

What an incredible voice

[@sweeball]

The emotion he generates is second to none Beautiful!

[@valenpt2464]

The best voice I ever listen.

[@lorettacurzi8655]

Direi che non ho mai apprezzato tanto Carreras come in questo brano: perfetto per il ruolo!

[@mangobalaclava3329]

My friend started crying in class after seeing this video. He's a very competitive and strong man. And he cried.

[@aerka0s760]

and ?

[@hackerix2000]

???

[@Gary-jp2tf]

Nothing wrong with that shows he has compassion and soul

[@jarofcocoabutter]

Leonard is just a musical mastermind 👏🏼 I cant even express the emotions or words to describe his musical talents

[@keithmackie24]

the most moving version with perfect pitch throughout such a difficult piece for any vocalist, classically trained or not. This is simply superb and would move the most hardened soul . It makes me more happy than mere words can say, to hear Bernstein's beautiful music treated so seriously ! To hear it played and sung with such musical perfection and so much dedication and yes...it IS almost like praying. God bless the people who performed this for us all to enjoy...it shows what our species can do when its members are at their peak like this. Molto, MOLTO Bravissimo ! Graztie Mille from an Aussie admirer in the UK.

[@scottpedroley5851]

Beautiful song! One of my mothers favorites and to hear Carreras sing it gives me chills. Just great!

[@MrShayna01]

Jose Carreras sings like an Angel - BRAVO!

[@arnaudb8867]

My favorite version of this song !! very nice mix between strength and sensibility.. (excuse my poor english..)

[@pedrotaguba7450]

Arnaud B

[@micheledoage8623]

your English is beautiful.

[@Kristinkat2]

The most beautiful [version of this song] I ever heard!! ❤

[@mariaisabelguerra231]

Delicioso escuchar al Sr. Carreras interpretanto Maria. Bravo.

[@MMB.__]

Jose in his prime was something extraordinary

[@lofiftyfifty9206]

Astoundingly exquisitely lovely 🥰

[@tinselPixie]

Fabulous! I had this exact recording when younger, what a joy to see it being recorded. I also had to great joy of seeing Leonard Bernstein in concert once. Thank you so much for sharing this, thank you!

[@Itsliz1984]

Perfection Leonard Bernstein. You are a genius

[@beignet2012]

Truly glorious. Exceptional and other worldly.

[@davidsalomon8426]

Bellissima e insuperabile voce, maestro José Carreras. ¡Bravooo! Una de las grandes glorias de la España eterna.

[@bcnncb6798]

Josep Carreras es catalán de pura cepa, lo ha demostrado siempre con su personalidad humilde y generosa. De español, afortunadamente para él, para los que le queremos de corazón y para la Humanidad, no tiene nada.

[@johnnywalker332]

@@bcnncb6798 Tiene de Español mucho porque es nacido en Cataluña (Rspaña) mientras no se demuestre lo contrario. Otra cosa es que el se considere o no.

[@ianwatson216]

Beautiful. Just when you think you have heard a good performance, then you hear perfection. Which I believe cannot be improved upon.

[@j50saxton]

what a voice i knew he'd get it right and to me it was perfect

[@MyTroubadour]

Quelle magnifique interprétation ! BRAVO.

[@jackiemcmeekin6551]

Bernstein composed all the music for “West Side Story”. What a great score! Carreras is a consummate tenor!

[@TheSandkastenverbot]

So beautiful!

[@cathrionacummins9196]

Oh I so love this...stumbled across it and now can't stop playing it...sheer excellence

[@christiansermeno858]

Speechless, Increible, divino! María

[@donaldmatthew4980]

Bernstein knew Jose was the Man, two music icons. Fantastic.

[@coreycox2345]

Sublime. That grueling work created a masterpiece. It had to start with Bernstein's genius. His specificity is such a contrast to Bowie, another genius who sometimes asked one of his ace musicians to come up with something, listened to it once and said, "I like it."

[@katexpero2]

OK WE KNOW THAT THE ACCENT WOULDN'T BE APPROPRIATE, BUT THE INTERPRETATION IS ONE OF THE BEST AROUND THERE

[@balloonelsa7721]

Coao

[@JudithRodriguez_74]

Actually, I like the accent because the characters are from Puerto Rico.

[@katexpero2]

@@JudithRodriguez_74 his accent is very different from the actor's. Even though it sounds good i dont think it would have been wise.

[@JudithRodriguez_74]

@@katexpero2 as a singer, we study diction. If Maestro Bernstein wouldn't have wanted Mr. Carreras to have an accent, he would have corrected it. After all, it is his masterpiece, and he is conducting it.

[@samanthajones6568]

@@JudithRodriguez_74 No, Maria is from Puerto Rico but not Tony. That's what the story is about 😉 But nevertheless, this version is unbelievable GREAT 💛

[@MrCappon1111]

The makIng of west side story is 1000,000,000 times more interesting than any reality show ever produced

[@Irishpatch2012]

So beautiful! Done by 2 masters ~ Thank you!

[@BonseBalm]

The high B-flat at 1:51 is one of the most perfect notes I have ever heard from anyone... ever! Legend!

[@nalucoru]

the first time i heard him singing this song make me cry its beautiful

[@silvanosalvucci]

We love you Carreras

[@tpte]

Definitely my favorite version of this song. I think trumpeter Maynard Ferguson 'upped the ante' on this song after the original production when he embellished with some high notes. This influence is evident at 1:50 when Carreras really goes for it. Well Done!

[@davidsalomon8426]

Carrera's accent increases the beauty of the song.

[@jeffschecter4543]

try to get over the fact this isnt a performance of west side story and so the accent is just something you gotta get over. Its a definitive reading of the score by the maestro, something he wanted to put down as his version. Brilliant orchestra, some fabulous singing and in the end.... a recording. Carreras always had an amazing passion to his singing and interpretation. Some of that no doubt is due to the limits of his natural vocal talents... a voice not as big as other dramatic or spinto tenors but always, so much intensity in the delivery. Check out his andrea chenier or his "Lamento di Federico" by Cilea. Not sung as well as others but delivered directly from his soul

[@opertinicy]

+Jeff Schecter it's "the other guy" (seinfeld)

[@gandalfsbeard473]

Jeff Schecter , loved this , but to say get over the accent is the easy part ,tell that to my ear and brain !

[@katef6154]

Carreras was considered on of the best Lyric tenor's of his era, Pavarotti called him thelast great tenor born in the 20century and also said he had the most beautiful sound.

[@DAVCOHGRAPH]

"Carreras always had an amazing passion to his singing and interpretation. Some of that no doubt is due to the limits of his natural vocal talents... a voice not as big as other dramatic or spinto tenors but always, so much intensity in the delivery." - you absolutely nailed it! 😀🙌🏽

[@juliewhite6296]

PERFECTION!!! (Timeless and beautiful) memories of my lovely dad❤️

[@SaadonAksah]

awesome singing!

[@mbsheisey]

Jose Carreras was the MAN! My brother prefers Pavarotti but not me!

[@uneedtherapy42]

definitive!!!!!! even at mission control at 2:04 they were like damn! thats hot!

[@coralmusicaviva]

Two of the greatest. Awesome.

[@Miyoshi186]

The best Maria Ever !!!! For this reason Maestro Bernstein chosen Carreras.

[@barbarapini]

West side story and soundtrack is my favourite musical and this song is the best..by Carreras ad Bernstein !!🥰😍🤩

[@dhanicordoba1080]

Piel de gallina!

[@missmaryhdream6560]

If only I could never stop hearing the most beautiful voice I've ever heard

[@projectresonate5142]

Simply beautiful.

[@MattJailer-dk4wx]

The most beautiful sound I ever heard Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria All the beautiful sounds of the world in a single word Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria I've just met a girl named Maria And suddenly that name will never be the same to me Maria, I've just kissed a girl named Maria And suddenly I've found how wonderful a sound can be Maria, say it loud and there's music playing Say it soft and it's almost like praying Maria, I'll never stop saying Maria The most beautiful sound I ever heard Maria Make of our hands one hand Make of our hearts one heart Make of our vows one last vow Only death will part us now Make of our lives one life Day after day one life Now it begins, now we start One hand, one heart Even death won't part us now Make of our lives one life Day after day one life Now it begins, now we start One hand, one heart Even death won't part us now

[@tanya7888]

Oh so beautiful! Thank you Maria!!!

[@kovvvas]

You got that right. I find myself returning to this video just to hear that note.

[@akherousia]

Such a heart-felt performance, I have tears in my eyes

[@johnmusalo1545]

bravo maestro bravo now that's singing !

[@jeangeorges1695]

The best B Flat - Roundness, power, placement - Perfect

[@afifi21]

MatOpera “precision”, in other words.

[@rocksvalentine7956]

Bravo José ❤

[@Toniweare]

Amazing beautiful voice!

[@WilfriedBerk]

Grande Carreras !

[@jasonbarnett1256]

Breathtaking!

[@Carmenetta]

My beautiful Mama Ann Marie, you had a part in the original American stage production of West Side story. Love and miss you so very much Mom , until we’re reunited again my darling. This song sung by Jose is exceptionally poignant and so beautiful, like you Mom . ❤️

[@fabri1981]

El mejor de todos los tiempos... sin dudas!

[@paulinareyes6703]

I always cry with this incredible performance, wonderful!!! Thanks for this 🥺

[@johnknowing-zr8de]

Holy shit the power and control he has is unenviable!!

[@Gustavocasanovatenor]

estoy llorando....maestro

[@yohangouraantoni3903]

gracias por esa sensibilidad¡ genial