France

Synopsis

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Kurt Weill, focusing on how his voluntary exile from Germany affected his music.

Just two days after Hitler took office Kurt Weill packed a suitcase and moved to Paris. He had turned his back on Germany by choice and he would never return. His musical development would now be determined by a completely different set of rules.

Complainte de la Seine
Brigitte Fassbaender (mezzo-soprano)
Cord Garben (piano)
Harmonia Mundi HMC 901420 Tr 10

Die Burgschaft (excerpt from Act 1)
Anna Mattes ...... Margaret Thompson
Luise Mattes ...... Ann Panagulias
Johann Mattes ...... Frederick Burchinal
Alto solo ...... Katherine Ciesinski
David Orth ...... Dale Travis
The Westminster Choir
Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra
Julius Rudel (conductor)
Emi CDS5569762
Tracks 8, 9 and 10

The Threepenny Opera (excerpt from Act 2)
Macheath ...... Rene Kollo
Jenny ...... Milva
RIAS Berlin Sinfonietta
John Mauceri (conductor)
Decca 430 075-2 DH Trs 15, 16, 17

Cantata for radio - Der Lindberghflug (excerpt)
Voices: Herbert Feckler, Lorenz Minth, Christophe Scheeben
Pro Musica Koln
Koln Radio Symphony Orchestra
Jan Latham-Konig (conductor)
Capriccio 60 012-1 Trs 8 and 9

Vom Tod im Walde, Op 23
Cantata for bass and 10 wind instruments
Peter Kooy (bass)
Ensemble Musique Oblique
Philippe Herreweghe (director)
HMC 901422 Tr 1

September Song
Ute Lemper
Jurgen Knieper (piano)
Milan CD CH341 Tr 17

Related Links

• Unveiling Radio 3's Threepenny Opera
• The Threepenny Opera
• Landmarks: The Threepenny Opera
• The Kurt Weill Foundation (www.kwf.org)

Tracklist

Timings are shown from the start of the programme in hours and minutes.

1. --:--

   Kurt Weill — Complainte de la Seine

   Performer: Brigitte Fassbaender (mezzo-soprano)
   Performer: Cord Garben (piano)

   Harmonia Mundi HMC 901420, Tr 10
2. --:--

   Kurt Weill — Die Burgschaft (excerpt from Act 1)

   Performer: Anna Mattes ...... Margaret Thompson
   Performer: Luise Mattes ...... Ann Panagulias
   Performer: Johann Mattes ...... Frederick Burchinal
   Performer: Alto solo ...... Katherine Ciesinski
   Performer: David Orth ...... Dale Travis
   Performer: The Westminster Choir
   Performer: Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra

   Julius Rudel (conductor), 8, 9 and 10
3. --:--

   Kurt Weill — The Threepenny Opera (excerpt from Act 2)

   Performer: Macheath ...... Rene Kollo
   Performer: Jenny ...... Milva
   Performer: RIAS Berlin Sinfonietta
   Performer: John Mauceri (conductor)
   Performer: Decca 430 075-2 DH Trs 15, 16, 17
   Performer: Cantata for radio - Der Lindberghflug (excerpt)
   Performer: Voices: Herbert Feckler, Lorenz Minth, Christophe Scheeben
   Performer: Pro Musica Koln
   Performer: Koln Radio Symphony Orchestra
   Performer: Jan Latham-Konig (conductor)

   Capriccio 60 012-1, Trs 8 and 9
4. --:--

   Kurt Weill — Vom Tod im Walde, Op 23

   Performer: Cantata for bass and 10 wind instruments
   Performer: Peter Kooy (bass)
   Performer: Ensemble Musique Oblique
   Performer: Philippe Herreweghe (director)

   HMC 901422, T1
5. --:--

   Kurt Weill — September Song

   Performer: Ute Lemper
   Performer: Jurgen Knieper (piano)

   Milan CD CH341, Tr 17

Broadcasts

1. Thu 22 Oct 2009
   12:00
   BBC Radio 3
2. Thu 22 Oct 2009
   22:00
   BBC Radio 3