Maria (West Side Story song)
"Maria" is a song from the Broadway musical West Side Story, sung by the lead character Tony. The music was written by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The song was published in 1956.
"Maria" is sung by the male lead Tony when he learns the name of the girl he's fallen in love with is "Maria". The name "Maria" is spoken or sung in the song 27 times. It begins in B major and then modulates to E-flat major.
The song is widely known for its use of the melodic interval of a tritone in the main theme. The song is an example of the use of Lydian mode, which is the same as the major scale but with a raised 4th, giving the tritone characteristic of this piece.
Cover versions
- Alfie Boe
- Andrea Bocelli
- José Carreras
- Dave Brubeck — featured in Silver Linings Playbook
- Matt Cavenaugh
- George Chakiris
- Perry Como
- Michael Crawford — in a medley of West Side Story songs
- Vic Damone
- Plácido Domingo
- Jeff Duff
- Maynard Ferguson
- Sergio Franchi — on his 1964 RCA Victor Red Seal album Women in My Life[1]
- Marvin Gaye
- Karel Gott
- Josh Groban
- David Habbin
- Jay and the Americans
- Ramin Karimloo
- Stan Kenton
- Larry Kert — original artist, he performed as Tony in the Broadway play
- Luis Mariano
- Johnny Mathis[2]
- Matt Monro
- Gene Pitney
- P.J. Proby
- Buddy Rich
- Peter Tevis
- Sarah Vaughan
- Il Volo
- Andy Williams
- Roger Williams
References
- ^ Sergio Franchi — Women in My Life at Discogs
- ^ Johnny Mathis interviewed on the Pop Chronicles (1969)
 | This 1950s pop song-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
