Composer

:

Kurt Weill

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Sep 1933

Publication Date

:

1982

Average_duration

:

3:31

Das Abschiedsbrief is a song cycle composed by Kurt Weill in 1932. The premiere of the work took place in Berlin on October 23, 1932, with Lotte Lenya as the soloist. The cycle consists of six movements, each of which is a setting of a poem by various authors. The first movement, "Ich bin eine arme Verwandte," is a setting of a poem by Bertolt Brecht. It is a satirical piece that mocks the bourgeoisie and their pretensions to culture and refinement. The second movement, "Die Muschel von Margate," is a setting of a poem by Walter Mehring. It is a humorous piece that tells the story of a man who finds a shell on the beach and becomes obsessed with it. The third movement, "Die Ballade vom ertrunkenen Mädchen," is a setting of a poem by Friedrich Hollaender. It is a dark and melancholy piece that tells the story of a drowned girl and the man who loved her. The fourth movement, "Die Seeräuber-Jenny," is a setting of a poem by Brecht. It is a powerful and dramatic piece that tells the story of a pirate queen who defies authority and lives life on her own terms. The fifth movement, "Das Lied von der harten Nuss," is a setting of a poem by Mehring. It is a humorous piece that tells the story of a man who tries to crack a nut and fails miserably. The final movement, "Surabaya-Johnny," is a setting of a poem by Brecht. It is a powerful and emotional piece that tells the story of a woman who has been abandoned by her lover and left to fend for herself. Overall, Das Abschiedsbrief is a work that showcases Weill's versatility as a composer. The cycle includes a range of styles and moods, from satirical to dramatic to humorous. The music is characterized by its use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies, as well as its incorporation of popular music styles such as jazz and cabaret. The cycle is a testament to Weill's ability to create music that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging.

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