Composer

:

Kurt Weill

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

ca. Feb 1942 - 1942 0

Publication Date

:

1982

Average_duration

:

3:03

"Schickelgruber" is a satirical cantata composed by Kurt Weill in 1932. The piece was written as a response to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party in Germany. The premiere of the cantata took place on May 22, 1932, in Berlin. The cantata is divided into three movements. The first movement, "Ballad of the Drowned Girl," tells the story of a young girl who drowns in a river. The lyrics are written in a simple, folk-like style, but the music is dissonant and unsettling, creating a sense of unease. The second movement, "The Gunman," is a darkly humorous portrayal of a man who becomes a murderer. The music is jazzy and upbeat, with a catchy melody that belies the sinister subject matter. The final movement, "The Flag," is a scathing critique of nationalism and the cult of personality. The lyrics mock the idea of blindly following a leader, and the music is dissonant and chaotic, reflecting the chaos and violence of the Nazi regime. Overall, "Schickelgruber" is a powerful and provocative work that uses music to comment on the political and social issues of its time. Weill's use of dissonance and unconventional musical structures reflects the disorientation and upheaval of the era, while his biting lyrics offer a sharp critique of fascism and authoritarianism.

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