West Side Story SOUNDTRACK - Spielberg Version

I totally love the new West Side Story soundtrack. The voices are characterful & marvelous. I think Gustavo Dudamel actually out-conducts whoever conducted the Original Broadway Cast recording, who I read once is Bernstein, himself. (No conductor is listed in my Original Cast CD). The soundtrack is one of my starred Qobuz selections.

The original soundtrack recording is a classic. Marni Nixon, in particular, sounds fabulous as ghost singer for Natalie Wood (Maria). However, the orchestral playing by the NY Philharmonic on the new Spielberg film is in another league entirely. The orchestra sounds fabulous. On “Mambo” especially the percussion section is absolutely on fire and brings an element of Latin authenticity and swagger missing from the original. Recorded beautifully too. The singing is also very good.

Btw, while Bernstein did conduct a recording of the music from WSS, the conductor of the original film soundtrack was Johnny Green, not Bernstein.

Great replys - thanks for your insights.

I will watch the movie for the second time today.  My takeaway so far is that this new version allows Sondheim's lyrics to become a greater part of the experience.  I've read his books and am well aware of his criticism for some some songs and praise for others.  In the end, at least for me, the purple lyrics actually do fit very well in this emotionally charged script.

Regarding the soundtrack - which is what I asked about - I agree completely with the comments added here.  It is a sound which is particularly rewarded on a great sound system.