Experience the timeless genius of Kurt Weill with the release of "Weill: Johnny Johnson," a captivating opera that blends the sophistication of pre-Hitler Berlin music-hall tunes with the plaintive folksongs of America. This 1936 Broadway premiere, based on Jaroslav Hašek's satiric novel "The Good Soldier Švejk," follows the journey of Johnny Johnson, a naive and idealistic young man who, despite his pacifist views, finds himself enmeshed in the horrors of World War I. With a book and lyrics by Paul Green and a score by Kurt Weill, this opera is a poignant exploration of war, love, and the human spirit.
"Johnny Johnson" is a unique blend of styles, combining the bittersweet melodies of Weill's early career with the folk influences of his adopted home. The opera's score is both abrasive and elegiac, reflecting the deep revulsion against modern warfare that permeates the work. From the opening act's lively choruses to the haunting melodies of the second act, the music is as much a character in the story as the performers themselves.
This album features a stellar cast, including Anne Azéma and Joel Cohen, who bring the characters of Johnny Johnson and his sweetheart Minny Belle Tompkins to life. The Otaré Pit Band provides the musical backbone, delivering Weill's complex and evocative score with precision and passion. The album spans 1 hour and 14 minutes, offering a comprehensive exploration of Weill's first American stage work.
Released on Warner Classics, "Weill: Johnny Johnson" is a testament to Kurt Weill's enduring legacy. Whether you're a longtime fan of Weill's work or a newcomer to his music, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience. Immerse yourself in the world of "Johnny Johnson" and discover the genius of Kurt Weill.
Weill: Johnny Johnson: IntroductionKurt Weill, Joel Cohen, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 1: "Over in Europe, Things Are Bad" (Mayor, Chorus)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Rene de la Garza, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 1: "Democracy Advancing" (Chorus, Minny Belle, Mayor)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Ellen Santaniello, Rene de la Garza, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 1: The Battle of San Juan Hill. "Up Chickamuga Hill" (Grandpa Joe, Chorus, Johnny, Mayor, Minny Belle)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Donald Wilkinson, Ellen Santaniello, John Delorey, Rene de la Garza, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 1: Johnny's Melody. "My Daddy Used to Tell Me" - Interlude (Johnny, Aggie)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Donald Wilkinson, Lynn Torgove, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 1: Aggie's Song. "My Husband Is Dead" (Aggie, Johnny, Minny Belle)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Donald Wilkinson, Ellen Santaniello, Lynn Torgove, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 1: "Oh Heart of Love" (Minny Belle, Johnny)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Donald Wilkinson, Ellen Santaniello, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 1: "Farewell, Goodbye" (Minny Belle, Johnny)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Donald Wilkinson, Ellen Santaniello, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 1: "I First Felt the Urge to Splurge" (The West-Pointer, Chorus)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Mark McSweeney, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 1: Chant. "Instruction with Arms" (Sergeant)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Bruce Fithian, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 1: Tango. "What Are You Coming For?" (Captain)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Richard Lalli, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 1: Army InterludeKurt Weill, Joel Cohen, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 1: "Just Think of It" (Johnny)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Donald Wilkinson, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 1: "He Calls on Me, Poor Wandering One" (The Goddess)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, D'Anna Fortunato, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: Song of the Wounded Frenchman. "Nous sommes blessés" (Chorus, Sergeant)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Bruce Fithian, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: The Tea Song. "Now England Is as We All Know" (Sergeant, Chorus, Johnny, Private Harwood)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Bruce Fithian, Donald Wilkinson, Rene de la Garza, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: The Cowboy Song. "Oh, the Rio Grande" (Private Harwood, Johnny)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Donald Wilkinson, Rene de la Garza, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: Johnny's DreamKurt Weill, Joel Cohen, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: Song of the Guns. "Soldiers! Soldiers!" (Chorus)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: The Stricken RedeemerKurt Weill, Joel Cohen, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: "Mon ami, My Friend" (Nurse)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Anne Azéma, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: The Allied High Command. "And So, Messieurs…" (Commander-in-Chief)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Paul Cummings, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: The Laughing Generals. "We'll All Be Home for Chritmas" (Chorus)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: The BattleKurt Weill, Joel Cohen, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: In Times of War and Tumults. "Almighty God" (American Priest, German Priest, Chorus)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Bruce Fithian, Richard Lalli, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: In No Man's LandKurt Weill, Joel Cohen, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: Johnny's Homecoming, ReminiscenceKurt Weill, Joel Cohen, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: The Psychiatry Song. "Ms. Tomkins, Johnny Johnson Is a Disturbed Man" (Doctor Mahodan)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Paul Guttry, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: Asylum Chorus. "How Sweetly Friendship Binds Our Hearts In Brother Love" (Chorus)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: Round. "Come Let Us Hymn a Hymn to Peace" (Chorus)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: Asylum Chorus (Instrumental Reprise)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, The Otaré Pit Band
Weill: Johnny Johnson, Act 2: Johnny's Song. "When Man Was First Created" (Johnny)Kurt Weill, Joel Cohen, Donald Wilkinson, The Otaré Pit Band
Kurt Weill, born in Dessau, Germany, in 1900, was a pioneering composer whose innovative spirit bridged the worlds of classical music and theater. Best known for his collaborations with Bertolt Brecht, Weill's works often carried a sharp social commentary, reflecting his belief in music's power to serve a socially useful purpose. Their most famous collaboration, "The Threepenny Opera," introduced the iconic ballad "Mack the Knife" and revolutionized the musical theater landscape. Weill's compositions, ranging from operas to Broadway musicals, seamlessly blended various musical styles, including American popular music, ragtime, and jazz. His notable works include "Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny," "Knickerbocker Holiday," featuring the beloved "September Song," and "Lost in the Stars," which addressed the pressing issue of racism in South Africa. Weill's journey took him from his early years in Germany to his later life in the United States, where he became a naturalized citizen in 1943. His legacy endures as one of the most important and innovative composers of the 20th century.
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Kurt Weill
