August 25 - Leonard Bernstein (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Leonard Bernstein (25 August 1918 – 14 October 1990) was a dominant force in virtually all areas of music during his busy career.

 [For last year's offering, also on Bernstein, click here.] 

West Side Story Suite

(1)

When the program is “light” then the chance is

You’ll be hearing the Symphonic Dances.

Or they might see the need

For a bit of Candide,

As the Summer Pops Series advances.

 

 

(2)

Do you think that there ever will be a

More beautiful name than Maria?

And when it’s presented

As a fourth, but augmented,

It’s a lovely melodic idea.

(3)

And who is unmoved by the part,

When they promise “One Hand” and “One Heart”?

For Maria and Tony

It was like matrimóny --

But it wasn’t a very smart start.

 

(4)

All those guys in tight tees and tight jeans

Like the models in chic magazines!

No wonder the rumble

Avoids rough and tumble

In Robbins’s famous routines.

 

(5)

And after young Tony has died

With Maria distraught at his side,

We admit that it’s magic

When an ending is tragic,

And you can’t even clap ‘til you’ve cried.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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