West side story-MAMBO

We are going to begin a music project focusing on a fantastic

 musical film called WEST SIDE STORY.

Today we are going to listen to a piece of music by a composer

 called Leonard Bernstein. 

The music is from this  musical which tells a well-known story.

1- Listen to Mambo (or watch the orchestra performance film) and afterwards have a discussion about what have you litened and seen.

a Did you seen the film?

b What was your favourite part?

c What might the music be describing?

d Did you know the song?

 

 3. The music is called ‘Mambo’ and is from a musical version of Romeo and Juliet.

Do you know Shakespeare’s story? that this version takes

place in New York in the 1950s with Romeo and Juliet now called

 Tony and Maria. The Montagues and Capulets are now the Jets and

 the Sharks, rival gangs. 

4. Listening task :

As you listen again, ask draw the section of the story it might be describing. 

I give you  three options to choose from. Does it describe:

a. Tony and Maria falling in love?

b. The Jets and the Sharks fighting?

c. Everyone dancing at a party?

5-In  the film in this scene all of those things are hapening.

There is no ‘correct’ answer for this, it actually describes all three things. In the original show , the Mambo happens during a dance. Everyone is dancing but the two gangs are pitted against one another. At the end Tony and Maria meet for the first time.

7. FINALLY, 

By now, you should at least be able to shout MAMBO at the right time.