Biography (read more)
Kurt Weill was a German-born composer who became an American citizen, active from the Weimar era of the 1920s through mid-century New York, working in Dessau, Berlin, Paris, London, and finally New York after fleeing Nazi Germany in 1933. Best known for his stage collaborations with Bertolt Brecht, including The Threepenny Opera (1928) and Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (1930), he later turned to American musical theater with works such as Lady in the Dark and Street Scene, producing enduring songs like “Mack the Knife” and “September Song.” He died of a heart attack in New York City in 1950, shortly after his fiftieth birthday.
Weill is regarded as one of the most significant composers to bridge European art music and American popular theater, pioneering a socially engaged, accessible style of musical theater that influenced generations of composers and lyricists. His songs have been reinterpreted by artists across genres from Nina Simone to The Doors, and The Threepenny Opera remains a landmark of twentieth-century musical stagecraft, securing his legacy as a formative figure in modern musical theater.
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Repertoire
Symphony No. 1 “Berliner Sinfonie” (Excerpt)
Die sieben Todsünden: I. Faulheit (im Begehen des Unrechts) – Allegro vivace— Peter Schreier
Performed by Peter Schreier
Die sieben Todsünden: II. Stolz auf das Beste des Ichs (Unverkäuflichkeit) – Allegretto, quasi…— Peter Schreier
Performed by Peter Schreier
Die sieben Todsünden: III. Zorn über die Gemeinheit – Molto agitato— Peter Schreier
Performed by Peter Schreier
Die sieben Todsünden: IV. Völlerei (Sättigung, Selberessen) – Largo— Peter Schreier
Performed by Peter Schreier
Die sieben Todsünden: V. Unzucht (selbstlose Liebe) – Moderato— Peter Schreier
Performed by Peter Schreier
Die sieben Todsünden: VI. Habsucht bei Raub und Betrug – Allegro giusto— Peter Schreier
Performed by Peter Schreier
Die sieben Todsünden: VII. Neid auf die Glücklichen – Allegro non troppo— Peter Schreier
Performed by Peter Schreier
Weill: Die sieben Todsünden (Original Version): I. Sloth. Allegro vivace “Müssiggang ist aller…— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Weill: Die sieben Todsünden (Original Version): II. Pride. Allegretto, quasi Andantino “Als wir…— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Weill: Die sieben Todsünden (Original Version): III. Anger. Molto agitato “Das geht nicht…— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Weill: Die sieben Todsünden (Original Version): IV. Gluttony. Largo “Das ist ein Brief aus…— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Weill: Die sieben Todsünden (Original Version): V. Lust. Moderato “Und wir fanden einen Mann in…— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Weill: Die sieben Todsünden (Original Version): VI. Avarice. Allegro giusto “Wie hier in der…— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Weill: Die sieben Todsünden (Original Version): VII. Envy. Allegro non troppo “Und die letzte…— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Four Walt Whitman Songs: III. “Come up from the fields, father”— Ian Bostridge
Performed by Ian Bostridge
Weill: Happy End: XI. Das Lied von der harten Nuss— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
The Threepenny Opera, II, Scene 13: “Tango Ballad” (Jenny, Macheath) (Arr. for Piano, World…— Cyprien Katsaris
Performed by Cyprien Katsaris
Knickerbocker Holiday: It never was you (lyrics: Maxwell Anderson)— Thomas Hampson
Performed by Thomas Hampson
Song of the Hangman (“Gallows Scene”): “The bell of doom is clanging” from The Firebrand of…— Thomas Hampson
Performed by Thomas Hampson
The Firebrand of Florence, Act 1: Civic Song. “Come to Florence” (Chorus)— Thomas Hampson
Performed by Thomas Hampson
The was life, there was love, there was laughter from The Firebrand of Florence— Thomas Hampson
Performed by Thomas Hampson
Souvenirs … Hear Ye! Hear Ye!; The world is full of villains (“Trial Scene”) from The…— Thomas Hampson
Performed by Thomas Hampson
You have to do what you do do (Trial by Music) from The Firebrand of Florence— Thomas Hampson
Performed by Thomas Hampson
Weill: Die sieben Todsünden (Original Version): Prologue. Andante sostenuto “Meine Schwester”— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Weill: Die sieben Todsünden (Original Version): Epilogue. Andante sostenuto “Darauf kehrten wir…— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Weill: Lady in the Dark: No. 1, One Life to Live— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Weill: One Touch of Venus: I’m a Stranger Here Myself— John Eliot Gardiner
Performed by John Eliot Gardiner
Johnny Johnson, Act 1: “Over in Europe, Things Are Bad” (Mayor, Chorus)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 1: “Democracy Advancing” (Chorus, Minny Belle, Mayor)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 1: The Battle of San Juan Hill. “Up Chickamuga Hill” (Grandpa Joe, Chorus,…— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 1: Johnny’s Melody. “My Daddy Used to Tell Me” – Interlude (Johnny, Aggie)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 1: Aggie’s Song. “My Husband Is Dead” (Aggie, Johnny, Minny Belle)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 1: “Farewell, Goodbye” (Minny Belle, Johnny)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 1: “I First Felt the Urge to Splurge” (The West-Pointer, Chorus)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 1: Chant. “Instruction with Arms” (Sergeant)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 1: Tango. “What Are You Coming For?” (Captain)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 1: “He Calls on Me, Poor Wandering One” (The Goddess)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 2: Song of the Wounded Frenchman. “Nous sommes blessés” (Chorus, Sergeant)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 2: The Tea Song. “Now England Is as We All Know” (Sergeant, Chorus, Johnny,…— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 2: The Cowboy Song. “Oh, the Rio Grande” (Private Harwood, Johnny)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 2: Song of the Guns. “Soldiers! Soldiers!” (Chorus)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 2: The Allied High Command. “And So, Messieurs…” (Commander-in-Chief)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 2: The Laughing Generals. “We’ll All Be Home for Chritmas” (Chorus)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 2: In Times of War and Tumults. “Almighty God” (American Priest, German…— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 2: The Psychiatry Song. “Ms. Tomkins, Johnny Johnson Is a Disturbed Man”…— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 2: Asylum Chorus. “How Sweetly Friendship Binds Our Hearts In Brother Love”…— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 2: Round. “Come Let Us Hymn a Hymn to Peace” (Chorus)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen
Johnny Johnson, Act 2: Johnny’s Song. “When Man Was First Created” (Johnny)— Joel Cohen
Performed by Joel Cohen