Proudly introducing a new collaboration and a newly-released CD! “I’m a stranger here.” Homage to Kurt Weill features a selection of songs in English, German and French, mainly from the composer’s American years. Claudia Marie-Thérèse Hasslinger, voice - Anita Azzi, piano; in collaboration with ICAMus; EMA Vinci 70136; released December 2018.

In the photos: Mezzo-soprano Claudia Marie-Thérèse Hasslinger and pianist Anita Azzi, who have recorded a program of songs by Kurt Weill, illuminating the international stature of this German-American composer. Photos © Arturo Marescalchi Firenze.

Following Kurt Weill’s international journey as an exile from Germany who became an American composer.

From Claudia Marie-Thérèse Hasslinger’s liner notes:

With the advent of Nazism, Weill’s works were increasingly hindered; in 1933 the composer left Germany, and in 1935 he took refuge in the United States. Like many other European Jews, Weill did of course consider himself a Jew, but even more he considered himself just a German citizen: «I come from a Jewish family who can trace its German past back t the year 1340», he stated with pride during an interview in 1942. It was painful for the well-known and esteemed composer, a true protagonist of the German cultural life, to be suddenly considered a “stranger”, persecuted in his own homeland. And a stranger somehow he would remain for the rest of his life, even when he was welcomed in America, where he said that he was finally feeling “at home”, to the extent of becoming an American citizen. With this selection, we intend to follow Kurt Weill in his exile.

"I’M A STRANGER HERE." HOMAGE TO KURT WEILL.

THE CD'S SONG SELECTION.

KURT WEILL  (Dessau, Germany, March 2, 1900 - New York, April 3, 1950).

Das Lied von den braunen Inseln - Text by Lion Feuchtwanger  (Die Petroleuminseln)

Nanna’s Lied - Text by Bertolt Brecht

Und was bekam des Soldaten Weib? - Text by Bertolt Brecht

Es regnet - Text by Kurt Weill, based on a suggestion by Jean Cocteau

Le grand Lustucru - Text by Jacques Duval (Marie Galante)

Je ne t’aime pas - Text by Maurice Magre

Complaint de la Seine - Text by Maurice Magre

Youkali, Tango Habanera - Text by Roger Fernay

My Ship - Text by Ira Gershwin (Lady in the Dark)

Speak Low - Text by Ogden Nash (One Touch of Venus)

Sing Me Not a Ballad - Text by Ira Gershwin (The Firebrand of Florence)

September Song - Text by Maxwell Anderson (Knickerbocker Holiday)  

The Saga of Jenny - Text by Ira Gershwin (Lady in the Dark)  

I’m a Stranger Here - Text by Ogden Nash (One Touch of Venus)

We are thankful to Claudia Marie-Thérèse Hasslinger for an ongoing collaboration on the international significance and connections of music in the Americas. We are currently working with her also on rare scores by Italian-Brazilian Jewish composer Renzo Massarani (1898-1975). 

Find out more about mezzo-soprano Claudia Marie-Thérèse Hasslinger HERE.

Find out more about pianist Anita Azzi HERE.

Find out how to order the CD from EMA Vinci Records HERE.

The photos of the performers reproduced on this page are by Arturo Marescalchi Firenze.

FIND OUT MORE ON THE ICAMus COLLABORATION WITH CLAUDIA MARIE-THÉRÈSE HASSLINGER ON THIS PAGE.