Composer

:

Kurt Weill

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

ca. Mar 1942

Publication Date

:

1982

First Performance

:

Apr 3, 1943

Average_duration

:

3:46

"Und was bekam des Soldaten Weib?" is a song cycle composed by Kurt Weill in 1930. The premiere of the work took place on October 22, 1930, in Berlin. The cycle consists of six movements, each of which tells a story of a soldier's wife during World War I. The first movement, "Ballad of the Soldier's Wife," is a mournful ballad that tells the story of a soldier's wife who is left alone to raise her children while her husband is away at war. The second movement, "The Young Wife," is a lively and playful song that tells the story of a young wife who is excited to be married to a soldier but soon realizes the hardships of being a soldier's wife. The third movement, "The Girl from the Red-light District," is a haunting song that tells the story of a soldier's wife who turns to prostitution to make ends meet while her husband is away at war. The fourth movement, "The Frivolous Girl," is a satirical song that tells the story of a soldier's wife who spends all her money on frivolous things and ignores the hardships of war. The fifth movement, "The Cabaret Girl," is a jazzy and upbeat song that tells the story of a soldier's wife who works as a cabaret singer to support herself while her husband is away at war. The final movement, "The Widow," is a somber and reflective song that tells the story of a soldier's wife who becomes a widow after her husband is killed in action. The characteristics of "Und was bekam des Soldaten Weib?" are typical of Weill's style, which combines elements of classical music, jazz, and popular music. The songs are characterized by their catchy melodies, clever lyrics, and emotional depth. The cycle is also notable for its social commentary on the hardships faced by soldiers' wives during World War I. Overall, "Und was bekam des Soldaten Weib?" is a powerful and moving work that showcases Weill's talent as a composer and his ability to capture the human experience through music.

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