The Analysis of Motives and Rhythm in the West Side Story

In first section this thesis is trying to explain the definition of "musical" and to sum up the brief history of American musical with accentuation of some important and interesting musical productions. Further it is trying to highlight some theatrical, musical-theatrical and pure musical genres from which the musical as we know it today draws. In the second section there is an attempt to define motives and rhythm of musical West Side Story based on analysis of the songs used in it. The main focus is on the songs "America" and "Cool". The songs are analyzed chronologically, with no intention to divide them by themes. The thesis is trying to find out the fundamental elements which are characteristic for each song or which are somehow important for the musical as a whole.&#8195