Composer

:

Kurt Weill

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Jun 1929 - Aug 1929

Publication Date

:

1929

First Performance

:

Sep 2, 1929

Average_duration

:

4:05

"Bilbao-Song" is a popular song composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht. The song was written in 1929 for the play "Happy End," which premiered in Berlin on September 2, 1929. The play was a collaboration between Weill and Brecht, and it was one of their most successful productions. The song is a ballad that tells the story of a sailor who falls in love with a woman in Bilbao, Spain. The lyrics are in German, but the song has been translated into many languages and has become a popular standard. The melody is simple and catchy, with a strong rhythm that reflects the sailor's journey across the sea. The song is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is slow and mournful, with a melancholy melody that reflects the sailor's longing for his love in Bilbao. The second movement is more upbeat, with a lively rhythm that reflects the excitement of the sailor's journey across the sea. The third movement is a return to the slow, mournful melody of the first movement, as the sailor reflects on his lost love. The song is notable for its use of Brecht's "alienation effect," which was a technique used to distance the audience from the emotions of the characters. The lyrics are written in a detached, ironic style that emphasizes the artificiality of the play and the characters' emotions. This technique was a hallmark of Weill and Brecht's collaborations, and it helped to establish them as leading figures in the avant-garde theater of the time. Overall, "Bilbao-Song" is a classic example of Weill and Brecht's unique style, combining catchy melodies with ironic lyrics and innovative theatrical techniques. The song has remained popular over the years, and it continues to be performed and recorded by artists around the world.

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