Kurt Weill


Description

One of John Heartfield’s artistic contemporaries was Kurt Weill. The music of Kenneth Vega’s play, "Heartfield: The Musical" is reminiscent of Kurt Weill’s theatre compositions. In addition, this year (2000) marks the centenary of Weill’s birth. The purpose of this lesson is to introduce basic information about Kurt Weill and to acquaint students with resources for further musical exploration.

Learning Objectives

  • The student will be able to trace major milestones in the life and work of Kurt Weill.
  • The student will be able to comment on the political/historical environment of the composer.
  • The student will be able to associate Kurt Weill with at least three of his works.
Intended Grade/Audience

This plan is directed to high school students. It assumes the student has a basic knowledge of world historical events in the first half of this century and that there is a general familiarity with the musical theatre genre.

Concepts

The primary content area is music/musical theatre. Plan has historical focus as well. Teaching model will combine direct instruction and elements of discovery learning.

Materials and Equipment

  • C.D. player with adequate volume for all class members to hear music
  • C.D. of Kurt Weill musical examples which teacher will play for class
  • Overhead projector and screen
  • Student access to computer with access to the internet
  • Teacher computer work station with access to the internet, and large video display


    • Procedural Outline

    The entire class hears excerpts of some well-known or lesser-known compositions by Kurt Weill. Suggestions for possible recordings are listed at the end of this lesson. After several minutes of listening, review the lesson objectives. Take an initial informal verbal survey to determine any familiarity class already has with Kurt Weill. Project image of introductory information at the following URL: http://www.hnh.com/composer/weill ..htm

    Explain the assignment: Each student will be able to expand on the basic information presented on the above site by writing a one-page commentary on Kurt Weill. Overhead will be used to list web site suggestions. Any additional web resources located by the student should be cited at the end of the paper. Time will be given for exploration of sites. Time will be reserved at the end of the class to discuss key questions (see list at the end of this lesson plan). Homework assignment is for paper to be written by next class.
    Assessment

    Assessment will be based on completion of paper. Key questions (listed below) should be answered in paper. Further assessment will be based on follow-up class participation. Extra credit will be given for students who locate audio example of Kurt Weill’s work (either on the web, through the library or some other source) and share that example with the class at following class meeting.

    Key Questions

    • When and where was he born?
    • Why did he leave Germany in 1933?
    • Who was Berthold Brecht?
    • Why was the work, "Johnny Johnson" important?
    • He is best known for composing for musical theatre. Can you name at least two other genres for which he composed?
    • What show won a Tony Award in 1947?
    • "The Three Penny Opera" ("Die Dreigroschenoper") is perhaps his best known work. Can you comment briefly on it?
    • Who was Lenya Lotte?
    • When did he die? Of which country was he a citizen at his death?
    Suggested Listening (on CD)

    • "September Songs: The Music of Kurt Weill" Sony sk63046
    • "Stratas Sings Weill" Nonesuch 9-79131-2
    • "Michael Feinstein: Over There: Songs of War and Peace 1900-1920" EMI Angel CDC 7 49768 2
    Web site suggestions

    http://www.kwf.org (Kurt Weill Foundation) http://world-weill-day.com (site focusing on centenary information) http://youkali.com/weill.html (an informational tribute to Kurt Weill)



    Created by: Katherine Clipp