The West Side Story asked five of West’s string musicians to share their favorite tunes. They responded with everything from classical favorites to up-and-coming jazz.
Keara Dennis ’14, violin
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, I. Allegro molto by Felix Mendelssohn
“Mendelssohn is in my top five composers … I like the mysterious sound to the piece, and C minor is personally my favorite key signature.”
Joe Feldmann ’16, string bass
“Hang Loose” by Alabama Shakes
“It’s the perfect feel good song. Its retro vibe and chill lyrics always perk me up.”
Kate Anstreicher ’14, violin and viola
“You Go Down Smooth” by Lake Street Dive
“It’s incredibly catchy, the lyrics are clever and the band has a West High graduate in it. ‘You Go Down Smooth’ is on Lake Street Dive’s second album, and it is one of those songs which I think exemplifies how much they have matured as a musical ensemble. They rock!”
David Kim ’16, violin
Nocturne in E flat major by Frédéric Chopin
“I think it’s really pretty, and it helps me forget about other things while I listen to it.”
Jeremiah Anthony ’14, violin
“Funiculì, Funiculà” by Luigi Denza and Peppino Turco
“It’s really great sword fighting music. Music nowadays just isn’t good for sword fighting.”
Cover image by Jason Hollinger.
