Symphonic Dances Bernstein later prepared a suite of orchestral music from the show, entitled Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. Although the suite is most frequently performed in its entirety, it is occasionally abbreviated. The full sequence is: Prologue (Allergo Moderato) "Somewhere" Scherzo (Vivaco e Leggiero) Mambo (Meno Presto) Cha-Cha (Andantino Con Grazia) Meeting Scene "Cool", Fugue Rumble Finale (Adagio)
Musical Ideas A common musical device in West Side Story is the tritone (also known as the augmented fourth). It is featured throughout the musical, such as the repeated word, Maria, in the song "Maria", and in the overture and all of the fight music ("The Rumble"). The interval is dissonant (that is, it sounds jarring and unsettled and creates musical tension). By embracing the musical disunity created by the tritone, Bernstein is providing a musical representation of the opposing gangs in West Side Story.
