I’ve loved this recording since the late 1960s and had the opportunity to hear Gisela May in a solo recital in 1974. Her recordings of Eisler songs are fantastic.
This is a great choice! I love the Weil Brecht collaborations and I love Lenya but this is the one for The Seven Deadly Sins; at least until we get the full Dave version.
Usually never listen to song for extended periods but in this case, just couldn’t stop until the end.. and left me with a feeling of nostalgia for a time and place I’ve never been.. A wonderful recommendation, Dave. Thanks.
Oh my gosh, this is one of my favorite recordings of ALL TIME. I positively squealed when I saw you were going to talk about it. The languid decadence of the opening. The quartet's emphasis on the word "Nilpferde" (Hippos) is hilarious, the orchestra's climax of the last "Envy" movement is chilling, and May's final spoken "Ja, Anna" is one of the most heartbreaking things committed to disc.
WOW! This version is so incredible... never knew the work, and this is just out of the park! Like Dagmar from Slapp Happy/ Desperate Straights! Thanks so much for this one.
I discovered this amazing work (on this recording) at the same as I discovered Janacek’s Diary of One Who Vanished (w/ Kubelik and Haefliger). Both blew me away. Still have those albums and still get knocked out by them.
I was just looking for the CD at a German onlineseller and found "Brecht-Songs mit Gisela May" by Eterna. Among others there are too "the seven deadly sins" with Herbert Kegel etc...just in case people don't find the other CDs...
In 2012, I heard Marianne Faithfull performing the 7 Deadly Sins and Kurt Weill's Zaubernacht in Linz in Austria. Some snotty reviewer lamented the fact that the poor woman was forced to perform in places like Linz while her former lover Mick Jagger filled stadiums all over the world.
My favorite recording of this work as well. Also, I heard her live in Germany in the 70s, in front of an audience of German students who were far more interested in their conversations than in May. Nevertheless, she sang magnificently, and East German ensemble played with great character. Another Weill album you might consider is Atherton's collection of Weill's German works with the London Sinfonietta.
Oh yes, Atherton and the London Sinfonietta. I have the disc that had the delicious Kleine Dreigroschenmusik, Mahagonny Songspeil and the spiky Concerto for Violin and Wind Orchestra on it. Wonderful performances.
Dear Mr Hurwitz, Your reviews really do open my eyes to many excellent recordings, for which I thank you so much. Apropos of Weill, are you of German (or Austrian) stock yourself, or have you learned German 'from scratch' so to speak? I still hanker after learning the language but, at sixty, I fear the 'little grey cells' are no longer up to the task! With very best wishes from Oxford, UK.
Thank you as always. Have you had a chance to listen to the new Joana Mallwitz, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Weill recording with the two symphonies and The Seven Deadly Sins? Curious what you think if you want to share your thoughts at some point.
Funny coincidence. Arrived for a Berlin weekend earlier today to see Barenboim and the East West Divan Orchestra tomorrow at the Waldbuehne. When I walked to my lodgings in Prenzlauer Berg listened to the Joana Malwitz version. I liked it a lot and it was the perfect soundtrack for roaming this cities‘ streets. I thought I’d have to check out other versions, too. Et voila! Thanks ever so much, Dave!
I was lucky enough to see May perform at the Village Gate during my first year in NYC. I was so moved by her performance that I went backstage and kissed her on the cheek. She was wonderful and very charming as well!
One of my favorite works, and I've heard every recording I can find. May's recording might be my favorite. Have you heard the new recording under Joanna Mallwitz? It's a bit disappointing, with some odd balance issues in the recording.
Yesssssss. Thank you for this recommendation. One of my all time favorite works and this is a gorgeous recording.
I’ve loved this recording since the late 1960s and had the opportunity to hear Gisela May in a solo recital in 1974. Her recordings of Eisler songs are fantastic.
This is a great choice! I love the Weil Brecht collaborations and I love Lenya but this is the one for The Seven Deadly Sins; at least until we get the full Dave version.
Usually never listen to song for extended periods but in this case, just couldn’t stop until the end.. and left me with a feeling of nostalgia for a time and place I’ve never been..
A wonderful recommendation, Dave. Thanks.
Oh my gosh, this is one of my favorite recordings of ALL TIME. I positively squealed when I saw you were going to talk about it. The languid decadence of the opening. The quartet's emphasis on the word "Nilpferde" (Hippos) is hilarious, the orchestra's climax of the last "Envy" movement is chilling, and May's final spoken "Ja, Anna" is one of the most heartbreaking things committed to disc.
The James Bond movie Lotte Lenya was in wasn't "Dr. No" but the second in the series, "From Russia with Love."
SPECTRE agent Rosa Klebb!
Whoops! Thanks!
WOW! This version is so incredible... never knew the work, and this is just out of the park! Like Dagmar from Slapp Happy/ Desperate Straights! Thanks so much for this one.
You know Lawrence Welk had two daughters named Anna, right? He would call them to dinner “Anna-one, Anna-two…”
I discovered this amazing work (on this recording) at the same as I discovered Janacek’s Diary of One Who Vanished (w/ Kubelik and Haefliger). Both blew me away. Still have those albums and still get knocked out by them.
I was just looking for the CD at a German onlineseller and found "Brecht-Songs mit Gisela May" by Eterna. Among others there are too "the seven deadly sins" with Herbert Kegel etc...just in case people don't find the other CDs...
In 2012, I heard Marianne Faithfull performing the 7 Deadly Sins and Kurt Weill's Zaubernacht in Linz in Austria. Some snotty reviewer lamented the fact that the poor woman was forced to perform in places like Linz while her former lover Mick Jagger filled stadiums all over the world.
Damn!
My favorite recording of this work as well. Also, I heard her live in Germany in the 70s, in front of an audience of German students who were far more interested in their conversations than in May. Nevertheless, she sang magnificently, and East German ensemble played with great character.
Another Weill album you might consider is Atherton's collection of Weill's German works with the London Sinfonietta.
I've had Atherton forever. It's very good.
Oh yes, Atherton and the London Sinfonietta. I have the disc that had the delicious Kleine Dreigroschenmusik, Mahagonny Songspeil and the spiky Concerto for Violin and Wind Orchestra on it. Wonderful performances.
Love the new overflow room!! 🎵🎵
Thank you.
Dear Mr Hurwitz, Your reviews really do open my eyes to many excellent recordings, for which I thank you so much. Apropos of Weill, are you of German (or Austrian) stock yourself, or have you learned German 'from scratch' so to speak? I still hanker after learning the language but, at sixty, I fear the 'little grey cells' are no longer up to the task! With very best wishes from Oxford, UK.
I knew some Yiddish growing up, but I learned German from scratch, as I was a historian and modern Germany was my field.
@@DavesClassicalGuide I see! Many thanks. 🙂
Thank you as always. Have you had a chance to listen to the new Joana Mallwitz, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Weill recording with the two symphonies and The Seven Deadly Sins? Curious what you think if you want to share your thoughts at some point.
Not yet. It's available for download but physical product isn't due for a couple of weeks.
Funny coincidence. Arrived for a Berlin weekend earlier today to see Barenboim and the East West Divan Orchestra tomorrow at the Waldbuehne. When I walked to my lodgings in Prenzlauer Berg listened to the Joana Malwitz version. I liked it a lot and it was the perfect soundtrack for roaming this cities‘ streets. I thought I’d have to check out other versions, too. Et voila! Thanks ever so much, Dave!
I was lucky enough to see May perform at the Village Gate during my first year in NYC. I was so moved by her performance that I went backstage and kissed her on the cheek. She was wonderful and very charming as well!
Yessssssssss!!!!!!! 🎉
always wondering if kegel's recording omitted the percussion parts. among so many recordings, faithfull is next to lenya and may
The percussion parts are there--not so prominent as in others, but they are there.
One of my favorite works, and I've heard every recording I can find. May's recording might be my favorite. Have you heard the new recording under Joanna Mallwitz? It's a bit disappointing, with some odd balance issues in the recording.
Not yet. Physical release is later this month. I have it on iTunes and plan to listen to is shortly.