On the Waterfront (Film Music)

Film Music / Leonard Bernstein's Symphonic Suite for 'On the Waterfront'

The music score of the multi-Oscar winning film On the Waterfront (starring Marlon Brando), was composed by Leonard Bernstein. It's his only original film score not adapted from a stage production with songs. Bernstein's "Symphonic Suite" is splendidly done with his music representing various themes in the film covering different emotions: violence, love theme, and pained resolution.   

Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918 -- October 14, 1990), was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. The tremendous success of "West Side Story" remained unequaled by his other compositions.  As a composer, he was prolific, writing symphonies, ballet music, chamber music, operas, other orchestral and choral works, chamber music, and incidental music. According to The New York Times, he was "one of the most prodigiously talented and successful musicians in American history."



Film Score Review:

On the Waterfront - Leonard Bernstein.  Movie Music UK. Accessed 17 May 2017.


Trivia (Added 12 May 2018): 

To commemorate the centenary celebration of Leonard Bernstein's birthday, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) presented a 3-day performance, "The Bernstein Songbook: A Musical Theatre Celebration", May 10-12, Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.  'On the Waterfront' "Symphonic Suite" was done at the end of Act I,  just before the Interval.  " Magnificent performance capturing the varied emotions of this multi-awarded film. Artists: John Wilson, Conductor. Lorina Gore, soprano. Kim Criswell, mezzo-soprano, Julian Ovenden, tenor. Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. Mitchell Butel, director.   



Video Credit:

Bernstein, L - Symphonic Suite from 'On the Waterfront'.  YouTube, uploaded by Sonny Beech. Accessed 17 May 2017.  (From the album "New York! New York! Symphonic Dances and Overtures from Musicals".  Performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by Carl Davis. (c) Royal Philharmonic Masterworks)

Resources:

Leonard Bernstein: On the Waterfront, Film Score. AllMusic.  Accessed 17 May 2017. 
On the Waterfront (Film). en.wikipedia.org. Accessed 17 May 2017.
On the Waterfront. Intrada Label. Accessed 17 May 2017. 
On the Waterfront soundtrack back in contention. BBC Arts  Accessed 17 May 2017.  




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