Program Notes

Symphonic Dance Music from West Side Story

Leonard Bernstein, composer

Ian Polster, arranger

Now a concert piece in its own right, the Symphonic Dance Music has been excerpted from West Side Story and scored for band by Ian Polster. The movements are: Scherzo, Mambo, Cha-Cha, and Fugue. The Scherzo is quick and bright and features the woodwinds in a staccato style with constantly changing meter. The Mambo is fast and ebullient with brass figures predominating. The Cha-Cha is measured and graceful, a quiet respite from the marcato rhythms of the Mambo. The Fugue features swing-style boppy rhythms against long, tense chords. The entire suite features jazz style writing, and uses over twenty percussion instruments.

—WMT

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