Dive into the captivating world of Kurt Weill with his compelling album "Weill: The Seven Deadly Sins," set to release on January 17, 2025, under the prestigious LSO Live label. This opera album is a masterful exploration of human nature, presented through a series of nine interconnected pieces that delve into the seven deadly sins, each with its own unique character and depth.
The album opens with "The Seven Deadly Sins," a nine-part suite that takes you through a journey of self-reflection and introspection. Each sin—Sloth, Pride, Wrath, Gluttony, Lust, Greed, and Envy—is brought to life with Weill's distinctive compositional style, blending elements of classical, jazz, and popular music. The prologue and epilogue frame this exploration, adding a layer of narrative cohesion.
Beyond the central suite, the album features a diverse range of works that showcase Weill's versatility. "Death in the Forest" offers a hauntingly beautiful solo piece, while "Street Scene, Act I: Lonely House" provides a glimpse into his ability to create evocative, theatrical music. The "Four Walt Whitman Songs" are a highlight, with "Beat! Beat! Drums!" and "Dirge for Two Veterans" showcasing Weill's knack for setting poetry to music in a way that is both poignant and powerful.
The album also includes selections from "Little Threepenny Music," a collection of pieces that are as entertaining as they are musically sophisticated. From the iconic "The Ballad of Mack the Knife" to the playful "Ballad of the Pleasant Life" and the dramatic "Cannon Song," these pieces demonstrate Weill's ability to blend humor, wit, and social commentary into his music.
With a total runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes, "Weill: The Seven Deadly Sins" is a rich and rewarding listening experience. Whether you're a longtime fan of Kurt Weill or new to his work, this album offers a compelling introduction to his unique musical vision.
2025 London Symphony Orchestra Ltd2025 London Symphony Orchestra Ltd
Tracks
The Seven Deadly Sins: I. PrologueKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra, Magdalena Kožená
The Seven Deadly Sins: II. SlothKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples, Florian Boesch, Ross Ramgobin, Alessandro Fisher
The Seven Deadly Sins: III. PrideKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra, Magdalena Kožená, Andrew Staples, Florian Boesch, Ross Ramgobin, Alessandro Fisher
The Seven Deadly Sins: IV. WrathKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra, Magdalena Kožená, Andrew Staples, Florian Boesch, Ross Ramgobin, Alessandro Fisher
The Seven Deadly Sins: V. GluttonyKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, Andrew Staples, Florian Boesch, Ross Ramgobin, Alessandro Fisher
The Seven Deadly Sins: VI. LustKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra, Magdalena Kožená, Andrew Staples, Florian Boesch, Ross Ramgobin, Alessandro Fisher
The Seven Deadly Sins: VII. GreedKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples, Florian Boesch, Ross Ramgobin, Alessandro Fisher
The Seven Deadly Sins: VIII. EnvyKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra, Magdalena Kožená, Andrew Staples, Florian Boesch, Ross Ramgobin, Alessandro Fisher
The Seven Deadly Sins: IX. EpilogueKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra, Magdalena Kožená
Death in the Forest, Op. 23Kurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra, Florian Boesch
Street Scene, Act I: Lonely HouseKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples
Four Walt Whitman Songs: No. 1, Beat! Beat! Drums!Kurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra, Ross Ramgobin
Four Walt Whitman Songs: No. 4, Dirge for Two VeteransKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples
Little Threepenny Music: I. OvertureKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra
Little Threepenny Music: II. The Ballad of Mack the KnifeKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra
Little Threepenny Music: III. Instead of...Kurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra
Little Threepenny Music: IV. Ballad of the Pleasant LifeKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra
Little Threepenny Music: V. Polly's SongKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra
Little Threepenny Music: VI. Tango BalladKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra
Little Threepenny Music: VII. Cannon SongKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra
Little Threepenny Music: VIII. Threepenny FinaleKurt Weill, Sir Simon Rattle, London Symphony Orchestra
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