Kurt Weill

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Bundesarchiv Bild 146-2005-0119, Kurt Weill

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Berliner Gedenktafel Altonaer Str 22 (Hansa) Kurt Weill

Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya at home 1942

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Stamp Germany 2000 MiNr2100 Kurt Weill

Musik Meile Wien, Kurt Weill (23)

Kurt Weill (March 2, 1900 – April 3, 1950) was a German, later American, composer, known for his work in theatre and for his collaboration with playwright Bertolt Brecht. With Brecht, he developed productions such as The Threepenny Opera which included the ballad "Mack the Knife". Weill's music was heavily influenced by jazz and other popular styles of the time, and he was a leading figure in the music scene of the Weimar Republic before fleeing Nazi Germany and settling in the United States.

Biography

Kurt Julian Weill was born in Dessau, Germany, into a Jewish family. His musical talent became apparent early on, and he studied music in Berlin and Leipzig, where he was a pupil of Ferruccio Busoni. In the 1920s, Weill's career flourished in Berlin's vibrant cultural scene. His collaborations with Bertolt Brecht resulted in some of the most significant works of the 20th-century theatre, including The Threepenny Opera (1928) and Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (1930). These works combined elements of opera, jazz, and traditional German theatre in innovative ways, challenging societal norms and the conventions of musical theatre.

In 1933, as the Nazis rose to power, Weill fled Germany, spending some time in Paris before moving to the United States in 1935. In America, he continued his successful career, adapting his style to Broadway conventions and collaborating with lyricists such as Ira Gershwin and Langston Hughes. Notable works from his American period include Knickerbocker Holiday (1938), Lady in the Dark (1941), and Street Scene (1947).

Weill became a U.S. citizen in 1943. Despite his success on Broadway, he remained committed to socially relevant themes and experimental forms of music theatre. He died of a heart attack in New York City in 1950, leaving behind a diverse and influential body of work.

Musical Style and Legacy

Kurt Weill's music is characterized by its blend of classical music traditions with popular music of the 20th century, including jazz and blues. His work in Germany with Brecht is noted for its sharp political satire and exploration of social issues, while his American compositions often reflect a more lyrical, accessible style, though still innovative and socially conscious.

Weill's influence extends beyond the realm of theatre music; his compositions have been recorded by a wide range of artists across genres, from classical to pop. His ability to bridge the gap between classical and popular music, along with his keen sense for drama and melody, has made his work enduringly popular and relevant.

Selected Works

• The Threepenny Opera (1928)
• Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (1930)
• Knickerbocker Holiday (1938)
• Lady in the Dark (1941)
• Street Scene (1947)

See Also

• Bertolt Brecht
• Weimar Republic
• Music of the United States