Composer

:

Kurt Weill

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

May 1928 - Aug 1928

Publication Date

:

1928

First Performance

:

Aug 31, 1928

Average_duration

:

3:50

Kanonen Song is a popular song composed by Kurt Weill, a German composer, in 1931. The song was written for the musical comedy "The Threepenny Opera," which premiered on August 31, 1928, at the Theater am Schiffbauerdamm in Berlin, Germany. The song is also known as "Cannon Song" or "Army Song." The song is a satirical commentary on the glorification of war and the military. It is sung by the character Macheath, a notorious criminal and womanizer who is also a former army captain. The song is a call to arms, urging young men to join the military and fight for their country. However, the lyrics are filled with irony and sarcasm, highlighting the absurdity of war and the hypocrisy of those who promote it. The song is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and tempo. The first movement is slow and solemn, with a mournful melody that evokes the sadness and tragedy of war. The second movement is faster and more upbeat, with a lively rhythm that suggests the excitement and adventure of military life. The third movement is a reprise of the first, returning to the slow and mournful melody of the opening. The lyrics of the song are written in a style known as "Brechtian," after the playwright Bertolt Brecht, who wrote the libretto for "The Threepenny Opera." Brechtian lyrics are characterized by their use of irony, sarcasm, and social commentary. The lyrics of Kanonen Song are no exception, with lines like "The cannon thunders, the war is on! / I'll stick my neck out, I'll be gone!" and "The enemy is waiting, let's go! / The war is great, we'll all be heroes!" Overall, Kanonen Song is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of music that challenges the glorification of war and the military. Its satirical lyrics and haunting melody have made it a popular and enduring piece of musical theater, and it continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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