I do like most of the songs from the latter, but the former is my very favourite musical, the songs are just so very wonderful 
Leonard Bernstein
Does anyone else think that all the songs from "South Pacific" are superior to the songs in "West Side Story" I do like most of the songs from the latter, but the former is my very favourite musical, the songs are just so very wonderful
I do like most of the songs from the latter, but the former is my very favourite musical, the songs are just so very wonderful "My Tears Will Fall Now That You're Gone,
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On"
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On"
Hi Mike
Sorry for the confusion, in the M&W sketch, they are debating with Andre Privet whether they can increase the length of the introduction to the piece, and Eric says, "Can we ring Grieg?"
Ernie: "Well what's his number?"
Eric: "It's Fingle's Cave something, isn't it?"
Just a silly line that used to have me in tucks when i was a kid.
Gosh Robert, that's a difficult point you've made regarding South Pacific or West Side Story, I couldn't put a piece of paper betwen the two, I love them both musically.
It's the story that gets me, West Side Story is soooooooooo sad, I find it difficult to watch (the film that is).
Gray
Sorry for the confusion, in the M&W sketch, they are debating with Andre Privet whether they can increase the length of the introduction to the piece, and Eric says, "Can we ring Grieg?"
Ernie: "Well what's his number?"
Eric: "It's Fingle's Cave something, isn't it?"
Just a silly line that used to have me in tucks when i was a kid.
Gosh Robert, that's a difficult point you've made regarding South Pacific or West Side Story, I couldn't put a piece of paper betwen the two, I love them both musically.
It's the story that gets me, West Side Story is soooooooooo sad, I find it difficult to watch (the film that is).
Gray
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Lena & Harry Smith
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Every one of those wonderful musicals have their own songs that become special favourites. So many to choose from.
"Me and My Girl " and "Anything Goes" were Two others that were brilliant.
We remember going to see "Me And My Girl" with En Reitel and Lorraine Chase, confetti was showered down over the audience as well as the stage for the final wedding scene with the encore of all the songs from the show.
Fantastic
"Me and My Girl " and "Anything Goes" were Two others that were brilliant.
We remember going to see "Me And My Girl" with En Reitel and Lorraine Chase, confetti was showered down over the audience as well as the stage for the final wedding scene with the encore of all the songs from the show.
Fantastic
If I may put my serious classical hat on for a moment, showtunes are not often sung very well by opera singers and personally I think Jose Carreras singing "Maria" is one of worst things I have ever heard, with his awful broken English, and totally inappropriate to the music. Such songs should be sung by those who are suited to singing them (e.g. Johnny Mathis, who does a great version of both "Maria and "Tonight"). Likewise Kiri Te Kanawa, whom I have only ever enjoyed singing Mozart concert arias, and who for a time recorded a lot of music, including classical, to which she was unsuited (e.g. Tosca), purely because the record companies thought it would be good for sales after her raised profile singing at Prince Charles' wedding.
I agree with Jon on all his points, especially Kiri Te Kanawa. Thanks for your posting!
I agree with Robert that South Pacific has better music verall than West Side Story, but I'm not sure every song is better. For example, I like A Boy Like That/I Have A Love from West Side Story better than Bali Ha'i from South Pacific.
I agree with Robert that South Pacific has better music verall than West Side Story, but I'm not sure every song is better. For example, I like A Boy Like That/I Have A Love from West Side Story better than Bali Ha'i from South Pacific.
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michduncg
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I appreciate the comments that both Paul & Jon make re: opera singers singing showtunes. In the case of the West Side Story project though, Leonard Bernstein himself was involved in the production and indicated that it was a dream come true to have his songs sung in this way. He was the conductor and musical director on the classical production, as well as the composer. I can appreciate the points about Jose's accent, as Tony was supposed to be the 'all American' boy - although being from Italian stock, he may have had a slight accent
Michael
Here I go again, I hear those trumpets blow again.......
Here I go again, I hear those trumpets blow again.......
Just to clarify my top post on this page, I was trying to say that "overall" I prefer the songs in "South Pacific" to the songs in "West Side Story". The latter has a couple of magical songs, but overall the songs in "South Pacific" are enthralling I agree partly with Jeff concerning "Bali Hai" but the song works very well in the movie, even with those "colour filters" which maybe even adds something to the song in the movie 
I agree partly with Jeff concerning "Bali Hai" but the song works very well in the movie, even with those "colour filters" which maybe even adds something to the song in the movie "My Tears Will Fall Now That You're Gone,
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On"
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On"
Since we're talking about South Pacific, how did Captain Sensible score a number 1 single on the UK charts in 1982 with Happy Talk? I heard it once on an airplane and was shocked when I saw it reached number 1 on the charts. I thought it was a very faithful cover. But for a show tune to be number 1 in 1982? Was it used on a TV show or advertisement?
Hi Jeff
I remember seeing Capt Sensible singing Happy Talk on Top of the Pops as a kid, don't think it was used in a tv show or advertising, though somebody will probably correct me(!), I think it was simply a cover version.
Just going back to the footage I saw of Carreras singin Maria, I'm not sure I agree with your comments Jon. sorry!
To say only Americans (or those with American accents) should sing Maria is preventing many other wonderful singers from tackling the song.
I didn't see the original broadcast of the show, but it appeared to me to be a special project, so let's not forget that.
I must say that I know very little about opera and in particular singers from the genre, but I do know that Carreras as a singer does not appeal to me, he is a bit 'rough', or he can tend to shout. However, that being said I did think he sang Maria with so much passion and feeling, that his accent and other traits didn't seem to matter as much to me.
Just my thoughts, and I know very little about music and so I would always bow to others better knowledge
Must dash, work's calling!
Gray
I remember seeing Capt Sensible singing Happy Talk on Top of the Pops as a kid, don't think it was used in a tv show or advertising, though somebody will probably correct me(!), I think it was simply a cover version.
Just going back to the footage I saw of Carreras singin Maria, I'm not sure I agree with your comments Jon.
sorry!To say only Americans (or those with American accents) should sing Maria is preventing many other wonderful singers from tackling the song.
I didn't see the original broadcast of the show, but it appeared to me to be a special project, so let's not forget that.
I must say that I know very little about opera and in particular singers from the genre, but I do know that Carreras as a singer does not appeal to me, he is a bit 'rough', or he can tend to shout. However, that being said I did think he sang Maria with so much passion and feeling, that his accent and other traits didn't seem to matter as much to me.
Just my thoughts, and I know very little about music and so I would always bow to others better knowledge
Must dash, work's calling!
Gray
Going back to Leonard Bernstein, I have an early programme from when "West Side Story" was described as "A New Musical" and dates back to the time it was performed at Her Majesty's Theatre in the Haymarket, opening night 12 December 1958. The only person I recognise from the cast is George Chakaris, who played Riff.
Leonard Bernstein is described as "probably the most versatile talent on the current American musical scene." It goes on to say "As a conductor he has worked with almost every major symphony orchestra throughout the world, and was the first U.S. born conductor to be invited to conduct La Scala in Milan.
He has written impressive serious scores (two symphonies, a work for violin and orchestra, and a one act opera) not counting "West Side Story," three other exciting musical comedies "On the Town, "Wonderful Town" and "Candide," two ballets, "Fancy Free" and "Facsimile, "the incidental music for "Peter Pan" starring Jean Arthur, the incidental music for "The Lark," and the score for the Academy winning film "On The Waterfront". He is a gifted pianist and has often appeared in the dual roles of conductor and soloist."
He was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1918. At the time of this production of "West Side story" he was married to actress Felicia Montealegre and had two children, a son and a daughter.
Marian
Leonard Bernstein is described as "probably the most versatile talent on the current American musical scene." It goes on to say "As a conductor he has worked with almost every major symphony orchestra throughout the world, and was the first U.S. born conductor to be invited to conduct La Scala in Milan.
He has written impressive serious scores (two symphonies, a work for violin and orchestra, and a one act opera) not counting "West Side Story," three other exciting musical comedies "On the Town, "Wonderful Town" and "Candide," two ballets, "Fancy Free" and "Facsimile, "the incidental music for "Peter Pan" starring Jean Arthur, the incidental music for "The Lark," and the score for the Academy winning film "On The Waterfront". He is a gifted pianist and has often appeared in the dual roles of conductor and soloist."
He was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts in 1918. At the time of this production of "West Side story" he was married to actress Felicia Montealegre and had two children, a son and a daughter.
Marian
Marian
you are right to refer to Bernstein's musical pedigree. He was in fact (he's dead now, died 1990) a serious classical musician and regarded as an important conductor and composer of "serious" music as well as of lighter stuff such as "West Side Story", though I am not that keen on his compositions. "Candide", for example, is an odd piece - difficult to categorise, with elements of opera, musical and operetta, but it is generally classed as an opera and would be found in the classical section of a record store like HMV. The overture to "Candide" is quite well known -one of those pieces which many people have heard but most probably couldn't name (as recently on an edition of "University Challenge"). He also wrote a respected choral work called the Chichester Psalms.
I'm not sure I said only AMERICANS should sing musicals, just popular singers rather than classical ones, just as popular vocalists should avoid classical pieces. Each to his own is my motto.
you are right to refer to Bernstein's musical pedigree. He was in fact (he's dead now, died 1990) a serious classical musician and regarded as an important conductor and composer of "serious" music as well as of lighter stuff such as "West Side Story", though I am not that keen on his compositions. "Candide", for example, is an odd piece - difficult to categorise, with elements of opera, musical and operetta, but it is generally classed as an opera and would be found in the classical section of a record store like HMV. The overture to "Candide" is quite well known -one of those pieces which many people have heard but most probably couldn't name (as recently on an edition of "University Challenge"). He also wrote a respected choral work called the Chichester Psalms.
I'm not sure I said only AMERICANS should sing musicals, just popular singers rather than classical ones, just as popular vocalists should avoid classical pieces. Each to his own is my motto.