Post by Michael Capasse on Apr 3, 2020 10:27:20 GMT -5
Die Moritat von Mackie Messer
"The Ballad of Mack the Knife"
In 1952, Leonard Bernstein, had urged NY composer, Marc Blitzstein,
to translate Bertolt Brecht's "The Three Penny Opera," for American audiences.
One notable piece from that work is,"Die Moritat von Mackie Messer" ("The Ballad of Mack the Knife")
A "Moritat" is a murder ballad, sung by strolling minstrels, they move the story along filling in with background.
"Mack the Knife" was one such piece, and was only added, when the star of the original 1928 production,
Harold Paulson, insisted he have another number to sing that better develops his character.
Brecht-Weill quickly wrote the song, but decided it to be sung as a moritat.
In 1931, a musical film production, directed by G. W. Pabst, was made in both German and French languages.
Here is the scene from the German film featuring "Mack the Knife"
"The Ballad of Mack the Knife"
In 1952, Leonard Bernstein, had urged NY composer, Marc Blitzstein,
to translate Bertolt Brecht's "The Three Penny Opera," for American audiences.
One notable piece from that work is,"Die Moritat von Mackie Messer" ("The Ballad of Mack the Knife")
A "Moritat" is a murder ballad, sung by strolling minstrels, they move the story along filling in with background.
"Mack the Knife" was one such piece, and was only added, when the star of the original 1928 production,
Harold Paulson, insisted he have another number to sing that better develops his character.
Brecht-Weill quickly wrote the song, but decided it to be sung as a moritat.
In 1931, a musical film production, directed by G. W. Pabst, was made in both German and French languages.
The German version starred Rudolf Forster as Mackie Messer, and Carola Neher as Polly Peachum.
Filmed just three years after the stage premiere, the song is the closest to the intent of the original production.
Here is the scene from the German film featuring "Mack the Knife"
