Lenya Singing in German
Lenya Singing in German
nmartin
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/3/05
#1Lenya Singing in German
Posted: 1/2/09 at 8:29pm
I love to listen to Lenya sing in German, and I don't know why. I don't understand German. Is it Lenya? The authentic orchestrations? In a previous life did I frequent the theatres and cafes of Berlin? I do know that right now she's singing Surabaya Johnny in German, and it's great! It's from the cd pictured. The artwork ain't bad either.
Updated On: 1/2/09 at 08:29 PM
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#2re: Lenya Singing in German
Posted: 1/2/09 at 8:36pmHave you heard her on the original German version of Die Dreigroschenoper? Her voice was so high!
nmartin
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/3/05
#2re: Lenya Singing in German
Posted: 1/2/09 at 8:39pm
I haven't, Phyllis, but I will be looking for it. This is the only Lenya I have besides Cabaret.
She is doing Bilbao Song right now. It is wonderful.
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#3re: Lenya Singing in German
Posted: 1/2/09 at 8:50pmShe remains - in my opinion - the definitive chanteuse of "Pirate Jenny."
#4re: Lenya Singing in German
Posted: 1/2/09 at 8:58pm
Couldn't agree more, Phyllis. And her voice singing "Pirate Jenny" from way back when (as in the 30s) sounds quite high, something Donna Murphy captured to a T in her brilliant performance in LOVEMUSIK.
And nmartin, I don't speak a word of German, but there's nothing more enjoyable than listening to Lenya sing Weill's music in German. Her "Surabaya Johnny" is particularly passionate and thrilling.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
nmartin
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/3/05
#5re: Lenya Singing in German
Posted: 1/2/09 at 9:13pm
Ray, I'm glad I'm not alone.
I'm going to find some of these earlier recordings that you and Phyllis are talking about. I'm anxious to hear a younger Lenya.
KrissySim
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/08
#6re: Lenya Singing in German
Posted: 1/2/09 at 11:24pm
That entire recording of Die Dreigroschenoper with Lenya as Jenny is artistic reference material IMO. Definitely worth a listen.
PS I don't speak German per se, but I can certainly understand those lyrics. It ain't hard to.
Updated On: 1/2/09 at 11:24 PM
nmartin
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/3/05
#7re: Lenya Singing in German
Posted: 1/3/09 at 6:20am
I found this site with an audio comparison of Lenya's voice over a span of 27 years. It is very brief, but the difference is there. I love both of them.
Scroll down to find it.
Lenya
#8re: Lenya Singing in German
Posted: 1/3/09 at 9:42am
Gut bless YouTube.
Lenya in the 1931 movie singing "Pirate Jenny":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec0clERjQ5A
Lenya in 1958 singing "Surabaya Johnny" and "Alabama Song"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJKkqC8JVXk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6orDcL0zt34
Videos