Drew Writings on Weill: Subject List
The bibliography below is organized by subject, with titles of Weill works being the most significant group of headings. Drew’s writings may be listed in either alphabetical or reverse chronological order within each heading, and entries may be listed under more than one heading. Most entries fall under the title of a composition of Kurt Weill’s, so these categories came first in the bibliography, followed by writings on multiple works, festivals, major recordings, life and reception, and Lotte Lenya. Some entries may appear under more than one heading. Please see also listings by chronology and genre. David Drew’s writings are copyright by the Estate of David Drew, and permission to reprint must be secured from the Estate.
Works by Title
Multiple Works
Major Festivals
Drew’s Arrangements and Reconstructions
Major Recordings
Weill: Career and Reception
Lenya: Career and Reception
WORKS BY TITLE[ps2id id=’Works’ target=”/]
(Listed alphabetically by original title, then in reverse chronological order under each work.)
Note: For most works, further entries may be found under the headings MULTIPLE WORKS and MAJOR FESTIVALS.
Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny
“Mahagonny‘s Musical Roots” (Part I, Mahagonny and “Popular” Idioms; Part II, Mahagonny and Tradition). Part I published in Kurt Weill Newsletter 42.1 (Spring 2024), p. 4-6. Full text of both parts.
Note: Published posthumously.
“Struggling for Supremacy: The Libretto of Mahagonny.” In Kurt Weill Newsletter 27.2 (Fall 2009), pp. 6-9. (full text)
Note: Published posthumously.
Review of Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny, Stuttgart, Staatstheater, Ruth Berghaus (dir.). In Kurt Weill Newsletter 10.2 (Fall 1992), pp. 20-21.
Note: Reprinted from the Times of London.
“Building a Model Mahagonny.” Review of Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny, Stuttgart, Staatstheater, dir. Ruth Berghaus. In The Times of London, 22 March 1992, p. 10. (full text)
“Brecht und Weill.” Program note, Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny. Freiburg, Grosses Haus, 13 October 1990.
Synopsis of Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny, used during BBC Radio 3 broadcast of recording (Columbia K3L 243), 3 April 1975.
“Preface to the 1969 Edition.” Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny: Klavierauszug (Wien: Universal Edition, 1969), pp. [6], 1-2. (full text)
“Mahagonny.” Letter to the Editor. The Observer, 14 March 1965. (full text)
“Off to Mahagonny.” In New Statesman, 26 February 1965. (full text)
“Mahagonny.” Letter to the Editor, The Observer, 27 January 1963.
Note: Reply to Kenneth Tynan’s review of Sadler’s Wells production.
“The History of Mahagonny.” In The Musical Times, vol. 104, no. 1439 (January 1963), pp. 18-24. (full text)
“Trips to Mahagonny.” In New Statesman, 5 October 1962.
“Fault-ridden Mahagonny.” In The Daily Telegraph and Morning Post, 18 September 1962. (full text)
Note: Review of performance at the Hamburg Staatsoper.
“Kurt Weill’s Mahagonny.” BBC broadcast talk for “Music Magazine” with Julian Herbage, 1962.
“Towards the City of Mahagonny.” In New Statesman, 24 September 1960.
Das Berliner Requiem
“Kurt Weill, Berliner Requiem: Notes on a Reconstruction.” Liner notes. Kaddish, Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, Nimbus NI 5807, compact disc, 2007. (full text)
“Anmerkungen zu einer Rekonstruktion.” Program note. Das Berliner Requiem. Lucerne, Lucerne Festival, John Axelrod (cond.), 29 August 2006. (full text)
Program note. Das Berliner Requiem. London, BBC Proms concert, 27 July 2000. (full text)
Program note. Das Berliner Requiem. Aldeburgh, orchestral concert, 17 June 2000. (full text)
Program note. Das Berliner Requiem. Berlin, Ensemble Modern, 18 March 1991.
Note: German translation of note from 1975.
Program notes. Happy End, Berliner Requiem. London, Summerscope 1986, 18 August 1986.
Note: Reprint of March 1977 program note listed under Multiple Works.
“Editor’s Preface” and “Editor’s Report” for Das Berliner Requiem: Partitur (Wien: Universal Edition, 1976), pp. V-VI. (full text)
Note: Lightly revised version of texts printed in vocal score (q.v.). Dated “January 1967, rev. 1976” at end of report.
“Editor’s Preface” and “Editor’s Report.” Das Berliner Requiem: Klavierauszug (Wien: Universal Edition, 1967), pp. V-VII. (full text)
Note: Dated January 1967 at end of report.
Die Bürgschaft
“The Bürgschaft Debate and the Timeliness of the Untimely.” In Kim H. Kowalke and Horst Edler (eds.), A Stranger Here Myself: Kurt Weill Studien (Hildesheim: Olms, 1993), pp. 159-184. (full text)
“Die Bürgschaft und die Aktualität des Unzeitgemässen.” Conference paper delivered (in English?) at Internationales Kurt-Weill-Symposium, Duisburg, 24 March 1990.
Note: Later published in English in A Stranger Here Myself, ed. Edler and Kowalke, 1993.
“Neher und Weill.” In: Gottfried von Einem and Siegfried Melchinger (eds.), Caspar Neher (Hannover: Friedrich, 1966), pp. 96-100. (full text)
Note: Unattributed translation of essay entitled “Neher and Weill,” edited, translated, and published without consultation.
“Brecht versus Opera, Some Comments.” In The Score no. 23 (July 1958), pp. 7-10. (full text)
“Topicality and the Universal: The Strange Case of Weill’s Die Bürgschaft.” In Music and Letters no. 39 (July 1958), pp. 242-255. (full text)
Concerto for Violin and Wind Orchestra
Program note. “Concerto for Violin and Wind Instruments (1924).” London, BBC Prom, 14 August 2000. (full text)
Liner note. Violin Concerto. Polydor 839 727-2, compact disc, August 1989 (re-issue of 1955 MGM recording).
Note: Abridged version of 1977 program note for London Sinfonietta.
Program notes. Kleine Dreigroschenmusik, Violin Concerto. London, BBC Prom, 6 September 1983.
Note: Reprint of liner notes to the 1976 Deutsche Grammophon 3-LP set.
Program notes. Kleine Dreigroschenmusik, Violin Concerto. Paris, Ensemble Intercontemporain, 1983?
Liner notes. Kleine Dreigroschenmusik, Violin Concerto. Deutsche Grammophon 2543 808, LP, 1976.
Note: Abridged from liner notes to the 1976 Deutsche Grammophon 3-LP set.
Program notes. Violin Concerto, Kleine Dreigroschenmusik. London, London Sinfonietta, 3 May 1974.
“Two Weill Scores.” In The Musical Times, vol. 107, no. 1483 (September 1966), pp. 797-798. (full text)
Note: Review of Down in the Valley vocal score (Schirmer) and Violin Concerto piano score (Universal).
“Kurt Weill.” In Radio Times, 24 July 1965. (full text)
Note: Note on broadcast performance of Violin Concerto on BBC Third Programme.
Divertimento
“I Sing of War.” In The Musical Times vol. 136, no. 1828 (June 1995), pp. 279-283. (full text)
Note: Drew remarked, “This is the first part . . . of a version of the notes for LARGO’s Testimonies of War CD edited for separate publication.”
Liner notes. Testimonies of War/Kriegszeugnisse 1914-1945, Largo Records 5130, compact disc, March 1995.
Down in the Valley
“Two Weill Scores.” In The Musical Times, vol. 107, no. 1483 (September 1966), pp. 797-798. (full text)
Note: Review of Down in the Valley vocal score (Schirmer) and Violin Concerto piano score (Universal).
Die Dreigroschenoper
Program note. Dreigroschen-Songspiel (sung in German with an English narration translated by Stephen Hinton from two narrations prepared by Brecht himself). London, “Kurt Weill From Time to Time” festival, 10 October 1999. (full text)
“Motifs, Tags, and Related Matters.” In Stephen Hinton (ed.), Kurt Weill: The Threepenny Opera (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990), pp. 149-160. (full text)
Note: “Cambridge Opera Handbooks” series.
“How Was Weill’s Success Achieved?” In Kurt Weill Newsletter 4.2 (Fall 1986), pp. 4-6. (full text)
Note: Excerpted and reprinted from two entries in Kurt Weill: A Handbook: “Die Dreigroschenoper” and “Ofrahs Lieder.”
Program note. The Threepenny Opera. London, English Music Theatre Company, Sadler’s Wells, 8 September 1976. (full text)
“Weill/Brecht/Gay.” Liner note for Die Dreigroschenoper, Columbia Odyssey Y2 32977 (re-issue), Lotte Lenya, et al., Wilhelm Brückner-Rüggeberg (cond.), LP.
Note: Abridged and revised version of “Weill and Die Dreigroschenoper (see below).
“Weill and Die Dreigroschenoper.” Liner note. Die Dreigroschenoper. Columbia O2L 257, Lotte Lenya, Wilhelm Brückner-Rüggeberg, LP, 1958. (full text)
The Eternal Road
See Der Weg der Verheißung
Four Walt Whitman Songs
“The flight from Behemoth.” Review of Brinkmann and Wolff (eds.), Driven into Paradise: The Musical Migration from Nazi Germany to the United States. In Times Literary Supplement, 7 July 2000, pp. 18-19. (full text)
Frauentanz
Program notes. Quodlibet, Frauentanz. New York, Town Hall, Friends of Live Music, 24 February 1963. (full text)
Happy End
Program notes. Der Jasager, Happy End Songspiel. London, “Kurt Weill from Time to Time” festival, 4 October 1999. (full text)
Program note. Happy End. London, London Sinfonietta, 30 March 1993.
Note: Revised version of 1986 note.
Program notes. Happy End, Berliner Requiem. London, Summerscope 1986, 18 August 1986.
Note: Reprint of March 1977 program note listed under Multiple Works.
“About this recording.” Liner notes. CBS Masterworks Portrait MPK 45 886, compact disc, 1990 (re-issue of Lenya’s earlier recordings of Die sieben Todsünden, Happy End).
“Unhappy Beginning.” Liner note. Happy End. Columbia COS 2032, Lotte Lenya, Wilhelm Brückner-Rüggeberg (cond.), LP, re-issued 1973? (full text)
Liner note. Happy End. Lotte Lenya, Wilhelm Brückner-Rüggeberg (cond.), Philips ABL 3364, LP, 1960. (full text)
Der Jasager
Review of Untwisting the Serpent: Modernism in Music, Literature, and Other Arts by Daniel Albright. In Kurt Weill Newsletter 19.1 (Spring 2001), pp. 18-20. (full text)
Program notes. Der Jasager, Happy End. London, “Kurt Weill From Time to Time” festival, 4 October 1999. (full text)
“Weill’s School Opera.” In The Musical Times, vol. 106, no. 1474 (December 1965), pp. 934-937. (full text)
Johnny Johnson
Program note. War Play. Boston, Musica Viva, 18 March 1988. (full text)
Note: First American performance.
Kleine Dreigroschenmusik
Program notes. Kleine Dreigroschenmusik, Violin Concerto. London, BBC Prom, 6 September 1983.
Note: Reprinted from liner notes to the 1976 Deutsche Grammophon LP.
Program notes. Kleine Dreigroschenmusik, Violin Concerto. Paris, Ensemble Intercontemporain, 1983?
Program note. Kleine Dreigroschenmusik, London, South Bank Summer Music, 9 August 1981.
Program note. Kleine Dreigroschenmusik. London, London Sinfonietta, 23 January 1977. (full text)
Liner notes. Kleine Dreigroschenmusik, Violin Concerto. Deutsche Grammophon 2543 808, LP, 1976.
Note: Abridged from liner notes to the 1976 Deutsche Grammophon 3-LP set.
Program notes. Violin Concerto, Kleine Dreigroschenmusik. London, London Sinfonietta, 3 May 1974.
Program note. Kleine Dreigroschenmusik. London, London Sinfonietta, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 4 December 1974.
Liner note. Kleine Dreigroschenmusik. Angel S 35927, Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer (cond.), LP, 1962. (full text)
Note: Note unsigned.
Knickerbocker Holiday
“Britten and His Fellow Composers: Six Footnotes for a Seventieth Birthday.” In Philip Reed (ed.), On Mahler and Britten: Essays in Honour of Donald Mitchell on His Seventieth Birthday (Woodbridge: The Boydell Press; Aldeburgh: The Britten-Pears Library, 1995), pp. 146-166. (full text)
Der Kuhhandel
“Reflections on the Last Years: Der Kuhhandel as a Key Work.” In Kim H. Kowalke (ed.), A New Orpheus: Essays on Kurt Weill (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1986), pp. 217-267. (full text)
Note: Published version derived from paper given at Kurt Weill Conference, Yale University, 2 Nov. 1983.
Der Lindberghflug
Review of Der Lindberghflug, Mürzzuschlag, Mürzthaler Werkstatt, 24 October 1984. In Kurt Weill Newsletter 3.1 (Spring 1985), p. 16. (full text)
Program note. Der Ozeanflug (The Lindbergh Flight). London, Royal Festival Hall, 20 January 1971. (full text)
Note: Revised version of program note from July 1970.
Program note. Der Ozeanflug (The Lindbergh Flight). London, BBC Prom, 25 July 1970. (full text)
Note: Almost identical to article in The Listener, below.
“An Epic Cantata.” In The Listener, 23 July 1970, pp. 125-126. (full text)
Lost in the Stars
Program note. Mahagonny Songspiel, Cry, the Beloved Country. London, BBC Prom, 25 August 1993.
Note: See also program note on the Songspiel from 3 August 1997.
“Lost in the Stars and Cry the Beloved Country: The Quest for a Concert Sequence.” Program note. London, Tenth Almeida International Festival of Contemporary Music, Matrix Ensemble, Robert Ziegler (cond.), 14 June 1990. (full text)
Note: Only a portion of the program note is entitled “Lost in the Stars and Cry the Beloved Country: The Quest for a Concert Sequence.”
“Lost in the Stars: A Concert Sequence.” Letter to the Editor, Kurt Weill Newsletter 7.1 (Spring 1989), p. 7. (full text)
Note: Reply to Glen Becker’s review of Drew’s concert version of Lost in the Stars, Cry the Beloved Country.
Mahagonny Songspiel
Program notes. The Seven Deadly Sins, Mahagonny Songspiel. London, BBC Prom, 3 August 1997.
Note: Reprint of August 1968 program note on Sins, and August 1993 program note on the Songspiel.
Program note. Mahagonny Songspiel, Cry the Beloved Country. London, BBC Prom, 25 August 1993.
Liner note. Mahagonny Songspiel. John Mauceri (cond.), Decca 430 168-2, compact disc, 1990.
Program note. Mahagonny Songspiel. Wiesbaden, Hessisches Staatstheater, 17 December 1975.
Program note. Mahagonny Songspiel. London, Festival of the City of London, staged by Drew and John Cox, 16-17 July 1968.
Program note. Mahagonny-Songspiel. Brighton Festival, 22 April 1967.
Note: Drew provided program notes for both the general festival program (full text) and the evening program (full text).
“Mahagonny-Songspiel.” Editor’s note. Mahagonny-Songspiel: Urfassung 1927: Klavierauszug (Wien: Universal Edition, 1963), pp. 1-5. (full text)
“The History of Mahagonny.” In The Musical Times vol. 104, no. 1439 (January 1963), pp. 18-24. (full text)
“Mahagonny.” Program note. Mahagonny Songspiel. Gelsenkirchen, Städtische Bühnen, 2 March 1961, p. 199-201. (full text)
Marie Galante
Program note. Marie Galante. New York, Les Dames et Las Damas, 26 September 1991.
Program note. Marie Galante. London?, Siva Oke, Unicorn-Kanchana, 1989.
Der neue Orpheus
See entries under MAJOR FESTIVALS
Ofrahs Lieder
“How Was Weill’s Success Achieved?” In Kurt Weill Newsletter 4.2 (Fall 1986), pp. 4-6. (full text)
Note: Excerpted and reprinted from two entries in Kurt Weill: A Handbook: “Die Dreigroschenoper” and “Ofrahs Lieder.”
Der Protagonist
“Royal Palace and its Critics.” In David Rosen and Claire Brook (eds.), Words on Music. Essays in Honor of Andrew Porter on the Occasion of his 75th Birthday (Hillsdale, NY: Pendragon, 2003), pp. 91-119. (full text)
Program notes. The Protagonist, The Tsar Has His Photograph Taken. London, Camden Festival, Abbey Opera, 12-15 March 1986. (full text)
“Kurt Weill.” Program notes on Der Protagonist, Der Zar lässt sich photographieren, and Die sieben Todsünden. Frankfurt, Städtische Bühnen, 6 April 1960, pp. 78-92. (full text)
Quodlibet
Program notes. Quodlibet, Frauentanz. New York, Town Hall, Friends of Live Music, 4 February 1963. (full text)
Railroads on Parade
Program note. Trains Bound for Glory. London, “Berlin to Broadway: The Music of Kurt Weill” festival, 16 January 2000. (full text)
Recordare
“Weill: Recordare.” Talk broadcast on the BBC (program unknown), 11 December 1975.
Note: Recorded 17 November 1975.
Program note. Recordare. Utrecht, Holland Festival, 2 July 1971. (full text)
Note: Drew’s account of the discovery of the score of Recordare in 1970 appended.
Royal Palace
“Royal Palace and its Critics.” In David Rosen and Claire Brook (eds.), Words on Music. Essays in Honor of Andrew Porter on the Occasion of his 75th Birthday (Hillsdale, NY: Pendragon, 2003), pp. 91-119. (full text)
“Weill–Royal Palace.” Introductory presentation for broadcast of program from 1971 Holland Festival on BBC Radio 3, 9 January 1972.
Program notes. Royal Palace, Der Silbersee (concert version). The Hague, Holland Festival, 25-26 June 1971. (full text)
Note: Program note titled, “Before Hearing ‘Royal Palace’.”
Note: Program note taken from the event program. Drew’s “conversation” with Jo Elsendoorn was printed in the general festival program (full text).
Die sieben Todsünden
Program note. Die sieben Todsünden. London, St John’s Smith Square, Sally Burgess (soprano), 3 July 2001.
Program notes. The Seven Deadly Sins, Mahagonny Songspiel. London, BBC Prom, 3 August 1997.
Note: Reprint of August 1968 program note on Sins, and August 1993 program note on the Songspiel.
“About this recording.” Liner notes. CBS Masterworks Portrait MPK 45 886, compact disc, 1990 (re-issue of Lenya’s earlier recordings of Die sieben Todsünden, Happy End).
Program note. Die sieben Todsünden. London, London Sinfonietta, Simon Rattle (cond.), 24 January 1988.
Program note. The Seven Deadly Sins. London, BBC Prom, Evelyn Lear (soprano), 24 August 1968. (full text)
“Weill’s ‘Deadly Sins.'” In The Listener, 22 August 1963. (full text)
“Musical Theatre.” Program note on The Seven Deadly Sins, Edinburgh Festival, 4 September 1961, pp. 39-40. (full text)
“Kurt Weill.” Program notes on Der Protagonist, Der Zar lässt sich photographieren, and Die sieben Todsünden. Frankfurt, Städtische Bühnen, 6 April 1960, pp. 78-92. (full text)
“Kurt Weill: 1900-1950.” In David Drew (ed.), The Decca Book of Ballet (London: Frederick Muller, 1958), pp. 389-391. (full text)
Note: Covers Judgment of Paris extensively.
Liner note. Die sieben Todsünden. Philips ABL 3363, Lotte Lenya, Wilhelm Brückner-Rüggeberg (cond.), LP, date originally published? (full text)
Note: Not written for original release; liner note printed only on re-issue.
Der Silbersee
“Weill and The Silver Lake.” Program note. Der Silbersee. London, Broomhill Opera, 29 March 1999. (full text)
Program note. Der Silbersee, London, BBC Prom, 21 July 1996. (full text)
Note: Drew’s synopsis of Der Silbersee included.
“Der Silbersee.” Pre-concert talk, London, BBC Prom, 21 July 1996.
“A Winter’s Fairy Tale.” Introduction to Der Silbersee/The Silver Lake. BBC Proms Guide, 1996. (full text)
“Weill – Der Silbersee.” Introductory talk for broadcast of program from 1971 Holland Festival on BBC Radio 3, 13 January 1972.
Program notes. Royal Palace, Der Silbersee (concert version). The Hague, Holland Festival, 25-26 June 1971. (full text)
Note: Program note titled, “Before Hearing ‘Der Silbersee’.”
Note: Program note taken from the event program. Drew’s “conversation” with Jo Elsendoorn was printed in the general festival program (full text).
Sonata for Cello and Piano
See 1975 entry for Berliner Festwochen under MAJOR FESTIVALS
String Quartet
Program note. String Quartet, no. 1, op. 8. London, Camden Festival, 2 May 1972. (full text)
Symphony no. 1
Program note. Symphony no. 1. Scottish National Orchestra, 27 November 1973. (full text)
“Preface” and “Editor’s report.” Symphony no. 1: Studien-Partitur (Mainz: Schott, 1968), pp. IX-XIII. (full text)
Note: Dated May 1968 at end of report.
Liner notes. Symphony no. 1. EMI/HMV ASD 2390, Symphonies no. 1-2, Gary Bertini (cond.), LP, 1968. (full text)
Note: The original EMI issue printed a separate biographical note on Weill written by Drew; the full text is here.
Introduction of broadcast. Symphonies no. 1 and 2. BBC Third Programme, Gary Bertini (cond.), 13 November 1967.
Note: First performance in the UK.
“Kurt Weill’s Symphonies.” In Radio Times, 11-17 November 1967. (full text)
Note: The broadcast of Weill’s Symphony no. 1 and Symphony no. 2 took place on 13 November.
Symphony no. 2
Program note. Symphony no. 2. London, BBC Prom, Gary Bertini (cond.), 7 August 1968. (full text)
Program note. Symphony no. 2. De Doelen, Rotterdam Philharmonic, 14 January 1968. (full text)
Note: Accompanied by biographical note also written by Drew.
Liner notes. Symphony no. 1. EMI/HMV ASD 2390, Symphonies no. 1-2, Gary Bertini (cond.), LP, 1968. (full text)
Introduction of broadcast. Symphonies no. 1 and 2. BBC Third Programme, Gary Bertini (cond.), 13 November 1967.
Note: First performance in the UK.
“Kurt Weill’s Symphonies.” In Radio Times, 11-17 November 1967. (full text)
Note: The broadcast of Weill’s Symphony no. 1 and Symphony no. 2 took place on 13 November.
“Preface.” Symphony no. 2: Studien-Partitur (Mainz: Schott, 1966), pp. [4]-[5]. (full text)
Vom Tod im Wald
See entries under MULTIPLE WEILL WORKS and MAJOR FESTIVALS
The Eternal Road/Der Weg der Verheißung
“Reinhardt’s Choice: Some Alternatives to Weill?” In Helmut Loos and Guy Stern (eds.), Kurt Weill: Auf dem Weg zum “Weg der Verheißung” (Freiburg: Rombach, 2000), pp. 237-254. (full text)
“Reinhardt’s Choice: Some Alternatives to Weill?” Conference paper given at “Kurt Weill–Leben und Werk–unter Berücksichtigung des Bibelspiels ‘Der Weg der Verheißung,'” Chemnitz, 12 June 1999.
“Der Weg der Verheissung: Weill at the Crossroads.” In Tempo 208 (April 1999), pp. 33-50. (full text)
Note: Companion essay to “Der Weg der Verheissung and the Prophecies of Jeremiah” (see below).
Program note. Propheten. Bochum, Ruhr-Universität, 14 November 1998.
“Der Weg der Verheissung and the Prophecies of Jeremiah.” In Tempo 206 (September 1998), pp. 12-20. (full text)
Note: Companion essay to “Der Weg der Verheissung: Weill at the Crossroads” (see above).
Program note. Propheten. London, BBC Prom, 26 July 1998. (full text)
Note: Drew’s synopsis of Propheten included.
Program note. Propheten. Vienna, Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, 28 May 1998. (full text)
Note: World premiere.
“Weill–Propheten: David Drew on the remarkable history of a vast Biblical drama and its suppressed final act.” In BBC Prom Guide 1998, pp. 99. (full text)
“Gespräch mit Lotte Lenya.” In Lothar Schirmer, ed. Theater im Exil 1933-1945, Ein Symposium der Akademie der Künste (Berlin: Akademie der Künste, 1979), pp. 242-249. (full text)
Note: Round table discussion with Lenya, Drew, and several others, mostly pertaining to The Eternal Road.
Der Zar lässt sich photographieren
Paper on Der Zar lässt sich photographieren delivered at symposium on Der Protagonist and Der Zar lässt sich photographieren as part of Kurt Weill Week at the Santa Fe Opera, 31 July 1993.
Program notes. The Protagonist, The Tsar Has His Photograph Taken. London, Camden Festival, Abbey Opera, 12-15 March 1986. (full text)
“Kurt Weill.” Program notes on Der Protagonist, Der Zar lässt sich photographieren, and Die sieben Todsünden. Frankfurt, Städtische Bühnen, 6 April 1960, pp. 78-92. (full text)
Zaubernacht
“Kurt Weill: 1900-1950.” In David Drew (ed.), The Decca Book of Ballet (London: Frederick Muller, 1958), pp. 389-391. (full text)
Note: Entry covers Judgment of Paris extensively.
Zu Potsdam unter den Eichen
“I Sing of War.” In The Musical Times no. 1828 (June 1995), pp. 279-283. (full text)
Note: Drew remarked, “This is the first part . . . of a version of the notes for LARGO’s Testimonies of War CD edited for separate publication.”
Liner notes. Testimonies of War/Kriegszeugnisse 1914-1945, Largo Records 5130, compact disc, March 1995.
MULTIPLE WORKS[ps2id id=’Multiple-Works’ target=”/]
(Listed in reverse chronological order.)
Program notes. Suite panaméenne, “Cowboy Song,” “Captain Valentine’s Song.” New York, Tisch Center, 23 February 1997.
Note: Reprinted from Berlin im Licht, Largo 5114, 1990.
Program notes. Suite panaméenne, Vom Tod im Wald, “Cowboy Song,” “Captain Valentine’s Song,” Kleine Dreigroschenmusik. Vienna, Wiener Konzerthaus, 12 February 1997.
Note: Reprinted from Berlin im Licht, Largo 5114, 1990.
“Weill 1900-1950.” Program note, Frankfurt, concert of Ensemble Modern, 11 October 1994.
Note: Based on Berlin im Licht, Largo 5114, liner notes, but with added material.
Program notes. “Berlin im Licht,” Suite panaméenne, Öl-Musik, Lieder aus Johnny Johnson. Berlin, Ensemble Modern, 9 October 1994.
Note: Reprinted from Berlin im Licht, Largo 5114, 1990.
Program notes. Suite panaméenne, Marie Galante, War Play, Cry, the Beloved Country (“Lost in the Stars and Cry the Beloved Country: The Quest for a Concert Sequence”), London, Tenth Almeida International Festival of Contemporary Music, Matrix Ensemble, Robert Ziegler (cond.), 14 June 1990. (full text)
Note: Only a portion of the program note is entitled “Lost in the Stars and Cry the Beloved Country: The Quest for a Concert Sequence.”
Program notes. Oil Music, “Klopslied,” Pantomime I from Der Protagonist, Vom Tod im Wald, “Cranes’ Duet,” Mahagonny Songspiel. London, London Sinfonietta Voices, 10 April 1984. (full text)
Program notes. “Tango Angèle,” “Alabama-Song,” “Bilbao-Song,” Berliner Requiem, Happy End. De Doelen and Utrecht, London Sinfonietta, 12-13 June 1977. (full text)
Program notes. “Berlin im Licht,” “Klopslied,” Pantomime from Der Protagonist, Vom Tod im Wald, “Tango Angèle,” Mahagonny Songspiel, Bastille Musik, “Können ihm Essig holen,” Oil Music, Das Berliner Requiem, String Quartet in B minor, “Kraniche-Duett,” Happy End, Violin Concerto, Kleine Dreigroschenmusik. London, series of London Sinfonietta concerts, March 1977.
Note: An abridged version of the note on the Violin Concerto was reprinted in the 1989 Polydor CD release (839 727-2) of a recording originally released on MGM in 1955.
“Kurt Weill.” Program notes on Der Protagonist, Der Zar lässt sich photographieren, and Die sieben Todsünden. Frankfurt, Städtische Bühnen, 6 April 1960, pp. 78-92. (full text)
MAJOR FESTIVALS[ps2id id=’Festivals’ target=”/]
(Listed in reverse chronological order.)
“Berlin to Broadway: The Music of Kurt Weill,” London, 2000.
“Kurt Weill from Time to Time,” London, 1999.
Program notes. “Berlin im Licht,” Violin Concerto, Panamanian Suite, Vom Tod im Wald, Oil-Music, Kleine Dreigroschenmusik. London, “Kurt Weill from Time to Time” festival, 2 March 2000. (full text)
Program note. Trains Bound for Glory. London, “Berlin to Broadway: The Music of Kurt Weill” festival, 16 January 2000. (full text)
Program notes. Mahagonny Songspiel, Marie Galante, Cry, The Beloved Country. London, “Kurt Weill from Time to Time” festival, 14 October 1999.
“Portraits and Snapshots (Weill has his photograph taken).” Introductory essay in programs for “Kurt Weill from Time to Time” festival, London, October 1999. (full text)
Note: The version presented here is reproduced from the February 2000 festival program, representing Drew’s final revisions.
Aldeburgh, 1992
Program notes. Violin Concerto, Symphony no. 2, String Quartet in B minor, Frauentanz, Songs from Knickerbocker Holiday and Johnny Johnson, Happy End. Aldeburgh, Britten/Weill Festival, 22-25 October 1992. (full text)
Note: See also “Kurt Weill: A Profile” and “Weill on the Road to Broadway” under Career and Reception.
Tenth Almeida International Festival of Contemporary Music, London, 1990
Program notes. Suite panaméenne, Marie Galante, War Play, Cry, the Beloved Country (“Lost in the Stars and Cry the Beloved Country: The Quest for a Concert Sequence”), London, Tenth Almeida International Festival of Contemporary Music, Matrix Ensemble, Robert Ziegler (cond.), 14 June 1990. (full text)
Note: Only a portion of the program note is entitled “Lost in the Stars and Cry the Beloved Country: The Quest for a Concert Sequence.”
Kurt Weill Festival, New York, 1987
Program notes. Violin Concerto, Vom Tod im Wald, “Der Song von Mandelay,” Kleine Dreigroschenmusik. New York, Kurt Weill Festival, Merkin Hall, 30 September 1987. (full text)
Program notes. Kiddush, Two Folksongs of the New Palestine, Ofrah’s Lieder, selections from Der Weg der Verheißung, Recordare. New York, Kurt Weill Festival, Merkin Hall, 20 September 1987. (full text)
Program notes. Bastille Music; Four Walt Whitman Songs; String Quartet no. 1, op. 8; Marie Galante. New York, Kurt Weill Festival, Merkin Hall, 17 September 1987. (full text)
Berliner Festwochen, 1975
Program notes. “Weberlied I und II,” Bastille Musik, Kriegschöre, Öl-Musik, Das Berliner Requiem, War Play. Berlin, Berliner Festwochen, program titled “Of War and Revolution,” London Sinfonietta, 13 September 1975. (full text)
Note: All Berliner Festwochen program notes are included in the same PDF file; in the original program, a single note covered concerts on 12 and 13 September.
Note: See also “Gespräch über Weill” under Career and Reception.
Program notes. “Berlin im Licht,” “Klops-Lied,” Pantomime from Der Protagonist, Vom Tod im Wald, “Tango Angèle,” Mahagonny Songspiel, Happy End (Songspiel). Berlin, Berliner Festwochen, program titled “Of Peace and Prosperity,” London Sinfonietta, 12 September 1975. (full text)
Note: All Berliner Festwochen program notes are included in the same PDF file; in the original program, a single note covered concerts on 12 and 13 September.
Note: See also “Gespräch über Weill” under Career and Reception.
Program notes. Der neue Orpheus, Symphony no. 2, Der Silbersee (Concert Suite), Berlin, Berliner Festwochen, Anja Silja, et al., 10 September 1975. (full text)
Note: All Berliner Festwochen program notes are included in the same PDF file; in the original program, a single note covered concerts on 12 and 13 September.
Note: See also “Gespräch über Weill” under Career and Reception.
Program notes. String Quartet in B Minor, Cello Sonata, Frühe Lieder und Balladen, Späte Songs, Sieben Stücke nach der Dreigroschenoper (arr. Stefan Frenkel). Berlin, Berliner Festwochen, 9 September 1975. (full text)
Note: All Berliner Festwochen program notes are included in the same PDF file; in the original program, a single note covered concerts on 12 and 13 September.
Note: See also “Gespräch über Weill” under Career and Reception.
Holland Festival, 1971
“Weill–Der Silbersee.” Introductory talk for broadcast of program from 1971 Holland Festival on BBC Radio Three, 13 January 1972.
“Weill–Royal Palace.” Introductory talk for broadcast of program from 1971 Holland Festival on BBC Radio Three, 9 January 1972.
Program note. Recordare. Utrecht, Holland Festival, 2 July 1971. (full text)
Program notes. Royal Palace, Der Silbersee (concert version). The Hague, Holland Festival, 25-26 June 1971. (full text)
Note: Program notes titled, “Before Hearing ‘Royal Palace’ and “Before Hearing ‘Der Silbersee’.”
Note: Program note taken from the event program. Drew’s “conversation” with Jo Elsendoorn was printed in the general festival program (full text).
DREW’S ARRANGEMENTS AND RECONSTRUCTIONS OF WEILL WORKS[ps2id id=’Arrangements’ target=”/]
Note: See also entries under MULTIPLE WEILL WORKS and MAJOR FESTIVALS.
Propheten
Program note. Propheten. Bochum, Ruhr-Universität, 14 November 1998.
“Der Weg der Verheissung and the Prophecies of Jeremiah.” In Tempo 206 (September 1998), pp. 12-20. (full text)
Program note. Propheten. London, BBC Prom, 26 July 1998.
“Weill–Propheten: David Drew on the remarkable history of a vast Biblical drama and its suppressed final act.” In BBC Prom Guide 1998, pp. 99.
Program note. Propheten. Vienna, 28 May 1998.
Note: World premiere.
Other Works
Program note. Trains Bound for Glory. London, “Berlin to Broadway: The Music of Kurt Weill” festival, 16 January 2000. (full text)
“Lost in the Stars and Cry the Beloved Country: The Quest for a Concert Sequence.” Program note. London, Tenth Almeida International Festival of Contemporary Music, Matrix Ensemble, Robert Ziegler (cond.), 14 June 1990. (full text)
Note: Only a portion of the program note is entitled “Lost in the Stars and Cry the Beloved Country: The Quest for a Concert Sequence.”
“Lost in the Stars: A Concert Sequence.” Letter to the Editor, Kurt Weill Newsletter 7.1 (Spring 1989), p. 7. (full text)
Note: Reply to Glen Becker’s review of Cry the Beloved Country.)
Program note. War Play. Boston, Musica Viva, 18 March 1988. (full text)
Note: First American performance of Drew’s concert arrangement of Johnny Johnson.
Program note. Bastille-Musik (“Barnovsky music”). Aberdeen, University of Aberdeen, 17 May 1970. (full text)
MAJOR RECORDINGS[ps2id id=’Recordings’ target=”/]
Berlin im Licht (1990, CD, Largo 5114)Liner notes.
Works included: “Berlin im Licht,” “Slow-Fox und Algi-Song,” “Klopslied,” “Ach, wär mein Lieb ein Brünnlein kalt,” Frauentanz, Bastille-Musik, Öl-Musik, Suite panaméenne, “Cowboy Song,” “Captain Valentine’s Song,” “Die stille Stadt.”
Kurt Weill, (1976, 3 LPs, Deutsche Grammophon 2740 153, later 2709 064). Liner notes.
Works included: Mahagonny Songspiel, Pantomime I from Der Protagonist, Vom Tod im Wald, Happy End (Songspiel version), Das Berliner Requiem, Kleine Dreigroschenmusik, and supplementary biographical and critical notes. (full text)
Note: Drew’s chronology of Weill’s life from the LP booklet has been appended to the full text of the liner notes.
Note: The note on Berliner Requiem was reprinted in the Polydor CD release (paired with Die sieben Todsünden), 429 333-2 (1989).)
KURT WEILL: CAREER AND RECEPTION[ps2id id=’Weill’ target=”/]
(Listed alphabetically by title.)
“Afterword as Introduction to the Kurt Weill Edition.” In Edward Harsh (ed.), Die Dreigroschenoper: A Facsimile of the Holograph Full Score (New York: Kurt Weill Foundation ; Valley Forge: European American Music, 1996), pp. 149-150. (full text)
“Beiträge zu einer musikalischen Perspektive.” In Ingo F. Walther (ed.), Paris-Berlin 1900-1933 (München: Prestel-Verlag, 1979), pp. 550-557. (full text)
Note: Essay on composers of the first third of the twentieth century: translated by Horst Leuchtmann, introduced by Pierre Boulez.
“Brecht, Bertolt.” In Stanley Sadie (ed.), The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (London: Macmillan, 1980), vol. 3, pp. 247-248.
“Brecht, Bertolt.” In Stanley Sadie (ed.), The New Grove Dictionary of Opera (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991), vol. 1, p. 591.
“Brecht versus Opera, Some Comments.” In The Score no. 23 (July 1958), pp. 7-10. (full text)
“Fifty Years of Working on Kurt Weill [interview with Elmar Juchem].” In Kurt Weill Newsletter 23.2 (Fall 2005), pp. 6-9. (full text)
“Gespräch über Weill.” Introductory essay for program, Berliner Festwochen, September 1975, p. 11. (full text)
Introduction to broadcast of Lenya recordings (from Berlin Theatre Songs), BBC Third Programme, 29 August 1960. (full text)
Note: Typescript annotated in an unknown hand.
“Kurt Weill.” In Soundings (the magazine of the Friends of the Aldeburgh Foundation), Autumn 1992.
“Kurt Weill 2.3.1900-3.4.1950.” In Deutsche Oper Berlin brochure (Fortsetzung 1974/75), June 1975.
Note: Excerpted from Vorwort to Über Kurt Weill.
Kurt Weill: A Handbook (London: Faber & Faber; Berkeley: University of California Press, 1987).
“Kurt Weill: A Profile.” Introductory essay for program, Aldeburgh, Britten/Weill Festival, 22-25 October 1992. (full text)
Note: Reprint of the “Foreword” to Kurt Weill: A Handbook.
“Kurt Weill and German Expressionism.” Conference paper given at Convegno Internazionale di Studi sull’Espressionismo, Firenze, 18-23 May 1964.
“Kurt Weill and his Critics.” In Times Literary Supplement, 3 October 1975, pp. 1142-?. (full text)
Note: English version of introduction to Über Kurt Weill (q.v.).
“Kurt Weill and his Critics–2.” In Times Literary Supplement, 10 October 1975, pp. 1198-1200. (full text)
“Kurt Weill: Doubtful and Chimerical Works.” In The Musical Times no. 1736 (October 1987), pp. 548-551. (full text)
Note: Reprinted from Kurt Weill: A Handbook.
“Kurt Weill–Eine Annäherung. Einleitende Gedanken von David Drew.” Program note (introductory article) for “Kurt Weill Festival: Berlin–Paris–New York,” Vienna, Jeunesse musicale, 29 September – 24 October 1995, pp. 7-9. (full text)
Note: German translation of liner notes for 1976 Deutsche Grammophon album as revised for 1986 Handbook Foreword.
“Kurt Weill für (oder gegen?) den Broadway.” Talk given during “Offenbach und Eisler” weekend, Frankfurter Funkhaus, 13-14 September 1975.
Kurt Weill in Berlin. Angel 35727, Peter Sandloff and his Orchestra, LP, 1959. Untitled liner notes. (full text)
“Kurt Weill in Europe and America.” Book review. The days grow short (Ronald Sanders) and Kurt Weill in Europe (Kim H. Kowalke). In London Review of Books, 18 September – 1 October 1980.
“Kurt Weill–Musica e Società 1918-1939, Una sequenza dei documenti, commentari e musica.” Conference paper given at Convegno Internazionale di Studi sull’Espressionismo, Firenze, chaired by H.H. Stuckenschmidt, 18-23 May 1964.
Note: Drew described the paper as follows: “A collage of brief spoken texts–some quoted, some original–juxtaposed with sections from Weill’s music for Strindberg’s Gustav III recorded by Ian Kemp and student orchestra.”
“Kurt Weill und die Nachwelt, 1950-2000.” Pre-concert talk at Frauen-Kammerorchester von Oesterreich, Wien, 28 June 2000.
Letter to the Editor. In Kurt Weill Newsletter 5.2 (Fall 1987), pp. 3-4. (full text)
Note: Reply to Richard Taruskin’s review of A New Orpheus: Essays on Kurt Weill.
“Musical Theatre in the Weimar Republic.” Talk extracted from the proceedings of the Royal Musical Association 88th Session 1961/62, 16 May 1962. (full text)
“Die Nachwelt: Kurt Weill 1950-2000.” Conference paper delivered at a symposium at the Kurt Weill Fest Dessau, 20 February 2000.
“Neher und Weill.” In: Gottfried von Einem and Siegfried Melchinger (eds.), Caspar Neher (Hannover: Friedrich Verlag, 1966), pp. 96-100. (full text)
Note: Anonymous translation of essay entitled “Neher and Weill,” edited, translated, and published without consultation.
“Portraits and Snapshots (Weill has his photograph taken).” Introductory essay in programs for “Kurt Weill From Time to Time” festival, London, October 1999. (full text)
Note: The version presented here is reproduced from the February 2000 festival program, representing Drew’s final revisions.
[“Questions on Weill supplied for BBC Television Mastermind.”], 1988. (full text)
Note: Used in broadcast of quiz program; questions 11-16 missing from full text display.
“Schoenberg and Weill.” In Chris Banks, Arthur Searle, and Malcolm Turner (eds.), Sundry Sorts of Music Books: Essays on The British Library Collections, presented to O.W. Neighbour on his 70th birthday (London: British Library, 1993), pp. 346-353. (full text)
Speak Low: The Great Music of Kurt Weill, Warner B1313, Maurice Levine (cond.), LP, 12 May 1959. (full text)
Note: Liner note entitled, “The Music in the Album.”
“Undiscovered Weill.” In Opera 38.10 (October 1987), pp. 1115-1124. (full text)
Note: Reprinted, with additions, from Kurt Weill: A Handbook.
“Vorwort.” Foreword in German to Stephen Hinton and Jürgen Schebera (eds.), Kurt Weill, Musik und Theater, Gesammelte Schriften, mit eine Auswahl von Gesprächen und Interviews (Berlin: Henschel, 1990), pp. 13-15. (full text)
“Vorwort.” In Kurt Weill: Ausgewählte Schriften (Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp, 1975), pp. 11-15. (full text)
Note: Dated 9 May 1975.
“Vorwort” and “Zu dieser Ausgabe.” In Über Kurt Weill (Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp, 1975), pp. VII-XXXIV. (full text)
Note: Dated December 1974 and 7 January 1975, respectively; both pieces included in full text display.
“Weill and Schoenberg.” In Kurt Weill Newsletter 12.1 (Spring 1994), pp. 10-13. (full text)
Note: Reprinted from Sundry sorts of Music Books with “Introduction: An Open Letter to O.W. Neighbour” appended.
“Weill, Borchardt und Kaiser–Notizen zu dem Problem: Deutsche Dramatiker in Amerika.” In Lothar Schirmer, ed. Theater im Exil 1933-1945, Ein Symposium der Akademie der Künste (Berlin: Akademie der Künste, 1979), pp. 236-241. (full text)
Note: Publication in German of paper given at 1973 conference.
“Weill herontdekt.” In Ouverture 2.5 (January 1968), pp. 4-5. (full text)
“Weill, Kurt.” In Stanley Sadie (ed.), The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (London: Macmillan, 1980), vol. 20, pp. 300-310.
“Weill, Kurt.” In Stanley Sadie and John Tyrrell (eds.), The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001), vol. , pp. (with J. Bradford Robinson).
“Weill on the Road to Broadway.” Introductory essay for program, Aldeburgh, Britten/Weill Festival, 22-25 October 1992. (full text)
LOTTE LENYA: CAREER AND RECEPTION[ps2id id=’Lenya’ target=”/]
“About this recording.” Liner notes. CBS Masterworks Portrait MPK 45 886, compact disc, 1990.
Note: Re-issue of Lenya’s recordings from the 1950s of Die sieben Todsünden and Happy End.
“The Art of Lotte Lenya.” Liner note. The Art of Lotte Lenya, Philips ABE 10118, 45 rpm. (full text)
Note: Re-issue of excerpts from Lotte Lenya singt Kurt Weill.
“Gespräch mit Lotte Lenya.” In Lothar Schirmer, ed. Theater im Exil 1933-1945, Ein Symposium der Akademie der Künste (Berlin: Akademie der Künste, 1979), pp. 242-249. (full text)
Note: Round table discussion with Lenya, Drew, and several others, mostly pertaining to The Eternal Road.
Introduction to broadcast of Lenya recordings (from Berlin Theatre Songs), BBC Third Programme, 29 August 1960. (full text)
Note: Typescript annotated in an unknown hand.
“Lenya, Lotte.” In Stanley Sadie (ed.), The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (London: Macmillan, 1980), vol. 10, pp. 665-666.
“Lenya, Lotte.” In Stanley Sadie (ed.), The New Grove Dictionary of Opera (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991), vol. 2, p. 1144.
“Lenya, Lotte.” In Stanley Sadie and John Tyrrell (eds.), The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001), vol. , pp.