Which musical work by Bernstein combines jazz influences with a narrative style?

The musical work by Leonard Bernstein that best combines jazz influences with a narrative style is "West Side Story." This iconic piece, premiered in 1957, merges classical elements with jazz rhythms and harmonies, reflecting the vibrant cultural atmosphere of its setting in New York City.

The narrative aspect of "West Side Story" is significant, as it is a modern retelling of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," featuring a storyline that addresses themes of love, conflict, and social tension between rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. Bernstein's use of jazz extends to the choreography and orchestration, making the music feel dynamic and contemporary.

While "On the Town," "Candide," and "Wonderful Town" are also significant works by Bernstein and feature various influences, they do not intertwine jazz elements with the narrative style to the same degree as "West Side Story." "On the Town," for instance, incorporates elements of Broadway and classical music but leans less heavily on jazz influences. "Candide" is more operatic in style, focused on satirical narrative rather than the jazz-infused storytelling of "West Side Story." "Wonderful Town," while incorporating elements of jazz, does not exhibit the same depth of jazz influence within its narrative