There's a Place For Us

Helen Smith takes an in-depth look at all eight of Bernstein's musical theatre works and analyses them against a background of musical and social context, as well as looking at Bernstein's other orchestral, choral and chamber works. One important aspect examined is Bernstein's use of motifs in his theatre compositions. Smith provides an indispensable overview of the musical theatre works of an eclectic composer, and shows what it is that constitutes the Bernstein 'sound'.

Helen Smith studied conducting at Birmingham Conservatoire after receiving her PhD from the University of Birmingham. She is musical director for several choirs in the West Midlands and works with children and young people as a vocal animateur. As a musicologist, Helen specializes in the works of Leonard Bernstein and in American music.