West Side Story (2021 soundtrack) explained

West Side Story (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Type:	Soundtrack
Artist:	Various artists
Cover:	West Side Story Spielberg Soundtrack.jpg
Released:	December 3, 2021
Recorded:	2019–2021
Label:	Hollywood

West Side Story is the soundtrack album to Steven Spielberg's 2021 film adaptation of the musical of the same name, produced by 20th Century Studios and Amblin Entertainment. The album features music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, with vocals from the film's ensemble cast including Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist and Rita Moreno, who played Anita in the 1961 film adaptation and plays Valentina (a reworked version of the character Doc) in this film.

The soundtrack was released digitally in Dolby Atmos by Hollywood Records on December 3, 2021 and subsequently released on physical CD on December 10, the same day the film was released in theaters.^{[1] [2]}

Background

Composer David Newman arranged and adapted Bernstein's original score for the film, incorporating a number of alterations originally made to Bernstein's Broadway score by Johnny Green for the 1961 film (e.g., interpolation of the "Cool" fugue motif into the "Prologue" and the extended trumpet solo in "Mambo"). Gustavo Dudamel conducted the New York Philharmonic during the film's recording sessions in 2019, with additional recording by the Los Angeles Philharmonic done during the COVID-19 pandemic the following year.^[3] Jeanine Tesori served as vocal coach, while frequent Spielberg collaborator John Williams served as music consultant.^{[4] [3]} The film's version of "Tonight", sung by Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort, was released as a digital download single on December 1, 2021.^{[5] [6]}

Alongside the soundtrack, "re-imagined" pop covers were also produced, including "Another Day in America" by Kali Uchis and Ozuna, which was released as a single on November 26 by Interscope Records.^[7]

Reception

Like the film, the soundtrack received acclaim from critics and was nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.

Track listing

Source:^[8]

Personnel

• Leonard Bernstein with Irwin Kostal and Sid Ramin – original orchestrations
• Garth Sunderland – additional orchestrations
• Matt Sullivan – music supervisor/soundtrack producer
• Gustavo Dudamel – conductor
• Joe E. Rand – music editor
• Ramiro Belgardt – music editor

• Peter Rotter – music contractor
• Steven Spielberg – executive soundtrack producer
• Kristie Macosko Krieger – executive soundtrack producer
• David Newman – arrangements
• Jeanine Tesori – supervising vocal producer
• John Williams – music consultant

Charts

Chart (2021–2022)! scope="col"

Peak position
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)^[9]	45

Notes and References

1. News: Newman. Melinda. May 13, 2021. Like the Stars It Launched, Hollywood Records Has Grown Up, Too. Billboard Magazine. September 3, 2021.
2. Web site: The West Side Story Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Set for Digital & Dolby Atmos Music Release on December 3. Business Wire. November 12, 2021.
3. Book: Bouzereau. Laurent. West Side Story the Making of the Steven Spielberg Film. 2021. Abrams, Incorporated . 9781419750632.
4. News: Culwell-Block . Logan . Jeanine Tesori and Gustavo Dudamel Join Music Staff of Spielberg-Helmed West Side Story Movie . . Playbill, Inc. . New York City . May 24, 2019.
5. Web site: Balcony Scene (Tonight) - from "West Side Story"/Soundtrack Version. Spotify. December 2021.
6. Web site: First Track from 'West Side Story' Soundtrack Released | Film Music Reporter.
7. Web site: Kali Uchis and Ozuna join forces on new song "Another Day in America".
8. Web site: West Side Story (2021) Press Kit.
9. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums [2022/02/16 公開]]. Billboard Japan. ja. February 16, 2022.