RCM 9 History Leonard Bernstein and West Side Story T14

Question 1

What is Leonard Bernstein’s ethnicity?

Answer 1

Bernstein is an American composer.

Question 2

“MARIA” in West Side Story

Character singing: ___ (tenor)

Setting: outside the gymnasium, where ___ has just met and fallen in love with Maria

Sentiments expressed: Tony _____ rapturously on Maria’s name

Key: _ major– _ ___ major

Meter: _

Answer 2

“MARIA” in West Side Story

Character singing: Tony (tenor)

Setting: outside the gymnasium, where Tony has just met and fallen in love with Maria

Sentiments expressed: Tony reflects rapturously on Maria’s name

Key: B major–E flat major

Meter: C

Question 3

“AMERICA”

Character singing:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, the leader of the Sharks
\_\_\_\_\_, \_\_\_\_\_\_'s girlfriend 
\_\_\_\_\_\_, a friend of Anita’s 
Other Puerto-Rican girls and Shark members 

Setting: an ____ behind Bernardo and Maria’s house
Sentiments expressed:
Bernardo expresses his _______ for his native Puerto Rico; Anita defiantly declares her love for her newfound home, _______
The clever lyrics extol both the virtues and false promises of “The American Dream”

Structure: _____–_____ structure, preceded by introduction. The _____–_____ structure is a common song structure in popular music: verses develop the character/storyline, while the “chorus” acts as a tuneful refrain

Key: ambiguous tonality until chorus in C major

Answer 3

Character singing:
Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks
Anita, Bernardo’s girlfriend
Rosalia, a friend of Anita’s
Other Puerto Rican girls and Shark members
Setting: an alley behind Bernardo and Maria’s house
Sentiments expressed:
Bernardo expresses his homesickness for his native Puerto Rico; Anita defiantly declares her love for her newfound home, Manhattan
The clever lyrics extol both the virtues and false promises of “The American Dream”
Structure: verse–chorus structure, preceded by introduction. The verse–chorus structure is a common song structure in popular music: verses develop the character/storyline, while the “chorus” acts as a tuneful refrain
Key: ambiguous tonality until chorus in C major

Question 4

Bernstein’s music is influenced by _____ forms and idioms.

Answer 4

Bernstein’s music is influenced by classical forms and idioms.

Question 5

Bernstein’s melodic style ____ popular and ______ elements.

Answer 5

Bernstein’s melodic style fuses popular and classical elements.

Question 6

In his music, Bernstein integrated _____, Hispanic, and _____ elements.

Answer 6

In his music, Bernstein integrated American, Hispanic, and Jewish elements.

Question 7

In his music, Bernstein absorbed popular, ___, and musical _____ elements.

Answer 7

In his music, Bernstein absorbed popular, jazz, and musical theatre elements.

Question 8

Bernstein’s rhythms are frequently drawn from popular _____ styles, a notable example of this is his _______ of the mambo and cha-cha.

Answer 8

Bernstein’s rhythms are frequently drawn from popular dance styles, a notable example of this is his incorporation of the mambo and cha-cha.