Kurt Weill in Europe
Abstract
Kurt Weill (1900-50) is best known for composing The Threepenny Opera with famed playwright Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956). Weill is also known for having two separate compositional periods, one in Europe which lasted until 1933, and another in the U.S from 1935-50. Weill had two flee Germany once Hitler rose to power as his status as a Jewish composer endangered his life. Art song and musical theatre courses rarely neglect the works of Weill and there is an abundance of information on him courtesy of the Kurt Weill Foundation and scholars like Kim Kowalke and David Drew. However, performances of Weill works are few and far between. Furthermore, his European works experience more neglect among voice students and professional singers in the U.S. This is a missed opportunity as his European repertoire challenges singers in both interpretation and technique. Through brief pedagogical and historical exploration, I will demonstrate the value of adding Kurt Weill's European works to one's own repertoire.
Kurt Weill in Europe
FA-160a
Kurt Weill (1900-50) is best known for composing The Threepenny Opera with famed playwright Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956). Weill is also known for having two separate compositional periods, one in Europe which lasted until 1933, and another in the U.S from 1935-50. Weill had two flee Germany once Hitler rose to power as his status as a Jewish composer endangered his life. Art song and musical theatre courses rarely neglect the works of Weill and there is an abundance of information on him courtesy of the Kurt Weill Foundation and scholars like Kim Kowalke and David Drew. However, performances of Weill works are few and far between. Furthermore, his European works experience more neglect among voice students and professional singers in the U.S. This is a missed opportunity as his European repertoire challenges singers in both interpretation and technique. Through brief pedagogical and historical exploration, I will demonstrate the value of adding Kurt Weill's European works to one's own repertoire.