The Threepenny Opera - Definitive Recording?

[bestinshow2]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 9:49am

The Donmar, yes!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 10:10am

I don't know that that could be called definitive. I love the Donmar recording, but it takes a lot of liberties with the material. I think it's true to the spirit of the show, but definitive, it's not, if simply because of the handling of "Mack the Knife."

I don't know that there really IS a definitive recording. Blitzstein's lyrics were whitewashed (even more than they were originally) for the recording. The 1976 version (I can't remember who the translator was off the top of my head) would probably be the most definitive English version of the show, I guess.

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 10:10am

I'd say the 1976 recording with Raul Julia and Ellen Greene. (Right after the 1930 recording with Marlene Dietrich and Lotte Lenya).

Updated On: 2/26/08 at 10:10 AM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 10:19am

Another vote for the '76 Raul Julia recording.

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 10:33am

I would KILL for a recording of Cyndi Lauper's "Soloman Song".

[choitoy]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 3:18am

There's that rumor going around that Sony might re-release the 1976 recording, since they got the links from one site taken down (though, they just might be doing it for anti-piracy measures). Here's hoping...

I only have the Donmar recording, and it is OK. I do wish they recorded the Cyndi Lauper/Alan Cumming version though. You think that it would have sold with at least those names. Maybe Cyndi could sneak in a couple of songs onto her next album

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 3:31am

I would be the happiest if Cyndi recorded either Blitzstein's translation or the Public's translation of "Pirate Jenny" in her next album. It'd also be great if she sneaked in "Solomon Song" and the "Tango Ballad."

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 8:54am

Did u see the Roundabout production with Cumming/Lauper? It was HORRENDOUS and Cumming appeared to be on something, as was the clip they did on the Tony broadcast that year. It was roundly panned (justifiably, for once) and was a black mark on the Roundabout's history. UGH!!!!!

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 10:58am

It wasn't perfect, but it was still entertaining and interesting. And Cyndi was FABULOUS - her singing Soloman Song was one of the best moments I've ever witnessed on stage.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 12:01pm

I do like the Blitzstein "Pirate Jenny" the best, though. Those are my favorite lyrics.

[Jon]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 2:48pm

None of the translations are totally satisfying. There's nothing more thrilling than hearing Die Dreigroschenoper in the original German.

[MrSweetNAwful]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 4:36pm

I only own the Donmar recording, I think it's pretty good but I hate that they stuck Mack the Knife in the middle of the show with a terrible translation, the rest of the songs are translated pretty well.
I'd love to own the Raul Julia/Ellen Greene version.
And I loved the Roundabout Revival! I thought it was very enjoyable, I can see where it had it's flaws but I can't understand all the endless loathing it recieved. I wish they had recorded it, so what if it wasn't a successful production, it had a new translation performed by top quality singers: Alan Cumming, Cyndi Lauper, Nellie McKay, Jim Dale, Ana Gasteyer and Brian Charles Rooney.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 5:44pm

Phyllis, I too like Blitzstein's translation of "Pirate Jenny" the best but I've heard the Public translation performed by both Ellen Greene and Donna Murphy and they do a great job with it. It's not as good as the Blitzstein translation but it's second best in my book. Much better than the Donmar and the one from the Roundabout revival, IMO.

[toomeytwopiece]

Posted: 3/5/08 at 6:20pm

Ed_Mottershead,

>"Did u see the Roundabout production with Cumming/Lauper? It >was HORRENDOUS..."

I am sorry you despised the production so much.

> "...and Cumming appeared to be on something..."

I can assure you that Mr. Cumming was not "On" anything. He is a professional and a gentleman. He is not a lunatic drug addict.

> "...as was the clip they did on the Tony broadcast that year."

unfortunately, due to time constraints, the music for that number had to be clipped, cut, and pasted... Other numbers may have been better, but they went with a number that showcased two of the headliners. They may have kept the show going longer had they chosen a different song. However, the show did extend, and was a commercial success.

What people forget is that "The Threepenny Opera" is not a musical. It's a play, with songs. That isn't the same thing.
So, it's not as though you're going to leave humming and/or bopping along to a song in your head.

"It was roundly panned (justifiably, for once) and was a black mark on the Roundabout's history. UGH!!!!!"

I disagree. The show was not roundly panned. It was highly criticized in some of the major National papers. If something is roundly panned, then it's safe to assume the critics hated all aspects of the production - not so here.

I also have to assert that Wallace Shawn's translation, as it was WRITTEN (not necessarily as it was performed) was quite wonderful. His translations of "Solomon Song," "The No Song," & "Pirate Jenny" have the best, most fluid lyrics of any of the translations. That is just my opinion though! :)