Threepenny Opera recording

Does anyone have a Threepenny Opera recording? If so, which is better the '55 one or the '94 LA recording in London? I'm thinking of getting one..is the '94 LA one worth it? Thanks.

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Kringas wrote:

I much prefer the 1994 recording. The 1954 is good for its historical value, but Blitzen's lyrics (as clever as they may be) are devoid of any bite.

First of all, "Blitzen" is one of Santa's Reindeer, not the person who wrote the lyrics. That would be Marc Blitzstein.

Second, Lotte Lenya herself, widow of Kurt Weill, was responsible for the 50s production. She was Weill's life-long collaborator and had worked with him and Bertholt Brecht on the original 1928 production. She would know better than anyone how it was intended to be performed. This production ran for 2,611 performances in 1955-- the longest running musical in history, up to that time.

Third, everyone--including Bertholt Brecht himself--considered Marc Blitzstein's translation THE best.

Finally, the 1954 version on CD is excellent. The sound quality is superb and I never tire of hearing it. In addition to Lotte Lenya as Jennie--for which she won the Tony Award that year--Bea Arthur, Charlotte Rae, Jo Sullivan Loesser, Scott Merrill, and John Astin.

As far as I am concerned, any translation but Blitzstein's is lame.

I prefer the 1976 Lincoln Centre recording with Raul Julia and Ellen Greene, and translation and orchestrations closer to the Berlin originals. Although Blitzstein's version is marvellous, and the cast definitive, it was (by necessity for the time) quite sanitised.

The '54 version is the BEST! It is the orginal Marc Blitzstein translation. I was in a produciton of it a few years ago.. Amazing show! Hopefully the new Wallace Shawn translation coming to Studio 54 in the Spring will be halfway decent. The '94 Donmar Warehouse prod has good instrumentals with a large orchestra but the translated lyrics are horrible I think.

I have the '76 version and love it. If you can get your hands on it, go for it. But I still say that the 1954 version is the best, and the most affordable (if that's an issue).

Be sure to check out Marianne Faithfull's album of (mostly) Brecht Threepenny songs, "20th Century Blues". I think she is this generation's definitive interpreter of Kurt Weill.

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If I had a working burner, I just might!

The 2006 Roundabout version stinks!! Alan Cumming is horrible as Mack the Knife.

Oh wait, hold that thought until May 2006.

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I can't wait to see Alan as Mack the Knife!!! That's why I want a recording now, so I can get ready when I go see it in Studio 54...I'm excited for next year!!

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First of all, "Blitzen" is one of Santa's Reindeer, not the person who wrote the lyrics. That would be Marc Blitzstein.

The typo has been corrected. You can breathe now.

Second, Lotte Lenya herself, widow of Kurt Weill, was responsible for the 50s production. She was Weill's life-long collaborator and had worked with him and Bertholt Brecht on the original 1928 production. She would know better than anyone how it was intended to be performed. This production ran for 2,611 performances in 1955-- the longest running musical in history, up to that time.

That may well be. A question was posed. I said I prefer the 1994 recording.

I still maintain that Blitzstein's lyrics have the least bite.
Take "Tango-Ballad" (Known also as "Ballad of Immoral Earnings" and "Knocking Shop Tango") for example.

Translation by Ralph Manheim and John Willett:

Once I was pregnant, so the doctor said
So we reversed positions on the bed
You thought your weight would make it premature
But in the end we flushed it down the sewer
That could not last, but what would I not give
To see that whorehouse where we used to live?

Translation by Jeremy Sams (1994):

We had the baby, but it didn't last long
When I fell pregnant it was festive for a day
But then we felt it best to wash it all away
The drunken doctor told us what to do
We took the mess and flushed it down the loo
And for a while a smile was rarely seen
Around that knocking shop in Bethnel Green

Translation by Mark Blitzstein:

Now sleeps for the night for they say
It ain't bad by day
So then I had my fill, so I wouldn't stir
It looked soon I might be taking care of her
You'd think a woman had a right to have one gripe
You left me flat, Well I just ain't the working type
We locked the door and each commenced to roam
Goodbye sweet two by four that we called home

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Updated On: 8/10/05 at 06:14 PM