“Somewhere” & “America” from West Side Story

composed by Leonard Bernstein
arranged for piano duo by Greg Anderson

Leonard Bernstein’s beloved 1957 musical West Side Story is a 20th-century reimagining of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The musical, featuring lyrics by the legendary Stephen Sondheim, tells the tale of two rival street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, in New York City’s Upper West Side neighborhood. At the heart of the musical is the ill-fated love story between Tony and Maria. In adapting selections from the musical for piano duo, Greg Anderson aimed to capture the thrills, passions, and humanity of the story. Above all, Bernstein’s searing music provided an infinite wellspring of inspiration.

“Somewhere” and “America” are two of the most iconic moments from the musical. “Somewhere” is a poignant duet between Tony and Maria that encapsulates their shared dreaming and yearning. To underscore the tenderness between the lovers, Anderson’s transcription deftly weaves in a quotation from one of the most sublime moments in the piano literature: the slow movement of Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto. By contrast, the Latin-infused “America” is flashy and sassy — the original version features a riveting, irreverent dance-off with lyrics about life in America. Anderson’s reimagining celebrates the vibrant, competitive spirit of the song, involving the pianists in a dazzling whirl of showmanship and surprises.

— Elizabeth Joy Roe & Greg Anderson