The Weimar Republic
Donald Macleod explores how Kurt Weill responded to the rise of Adolf Hitler. With Der Silbersee (excerpts), Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny (excerpt) and Seven Deadly Sins.
Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Kurt Weill, focusing on how the composer responded to the rise of Adolf Hitler.
The Weimar Republic's golden years were good to Weill. But by the early 1930s the landscape had changed dramatically. Unemployment was causing real hardship and he recognised there was a demand for a different kind of musical theatre.
Overture: Der Silbersee
London Sinfonietta
Markus Stenz (conductor)
RCA Red Seal 09026634472 CD1 Tr 1
Der Silbersee (excerpt from Act 3)
Frau von Luber ...... Helga Dernesch (soprano)
Baron Laur ...... Heinz Zednik (tenor)
London Sinfonietta
Markus Stenz (conductor)
Red Seal 09026634472 CD2 Tr 11
Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny (excerpt)
Jenny ...... Lotte Lenya
Mrs Begbick ...... Gisela Litz
Jimmy Mahoney ...... Heinz Sauerbaum
Bill ...... Georg Mund
Jake Schmidt ...... Fritz Gollnitz
Joe ...... Sigmund Roth
Speaker ...... Richard Munch
Orchestra of North German Radio
Max Thurn (conductor)
CBS Masterworks M2K 77341 Trs 5, 6, 7 and 8
Seven Deadly Sins (ballet)
Brigitte Fassbaender (mezzo-soprano)
Karl-Heinz Brandt, Hans Sojer (tenor)
Hidenori Komatsu (baritone)
Ivan Urbas (bass)
Radio-Philharmonie Hannover des NDR
Cord Garben (conductor)
Harmonia mundi HMC 901420 Tr 1-9
Last on
More episodes
Music Played
![]()
Kurt Weill
Overture: Der Silbersee
Performer: London Sinfonietta Performer: Markus Stenz (conductor) Performer: RCA Red Seal 09026634472 CD1 Tr 1 Performer: Der Silbersee (excerpt from Act 3) Performer: Frau von Luber ...... Helga Dernesch (soprano) Performer: Baron Laur ...... Heinz Zednik (tenor) Performer: London Sinfonietta Performer: Markus Stenz (conductor)
- Red Seal 09026634472.
![]()
Kurt Weill
Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny (excerpt)
Performer: Jenny ...... Lotte Lenya Performer: Mrs Begbick ...... Gisela Litz Performer: Jimmy Mahoney ...... Heinz Sauerbaum Performer: Bill ...... Georg Mund Performer: Jake Schmidt ...... Fritz Gollnitz Performer: Joe ...... Sigmund Roth Performer: Speaker ...... Richard Munch Performer: Orchestra of North German Radio Performer: Max Thurn (conductor)
- CBS Masterworks M2K 77341.
![]()
Kurt Weill
Seven Deadly Sins (ballet)
Performer: Brigitte Fassbaender (mezzo-soprano) Performer: Karl-Heinz Brandt, Hans Sojer (tenor) Performer: Hidenori Komatsu (baritone) Performer: Ivan Urbas (bass) Performer: Radio-Philharmonie Hannover des NDR Performer: Cord Garben (conductor)
- Harmonia mundi HMC 901420.
Broadcasts
- Wed 21 Oct 200912:00BBC Radio 3
- Wed 21 Oct 200922:00BBC Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.
