Street Scene: Kurt Weill (1995)

Synopsis: Much of America's great art after World War II was created by immigrants who fled war-torn and Nazi-dominated countries. German composer Kurt Weill is one of these, and he has certainly left his... Much of America's great art after World War II was created by immigrants who fled war-torn and Nazi-dominated countries. German composer Kurt Weill is one of these, and he has certainly left his original and influential imprint on the American musical. His masterpiece, STREET SCENE, integrates jazz, Blues, spirituals, and Rogers and Hammerstein songs to provide the musical background to a portrayal of 1930's New York tenement life. Based on Elmer Rice's play (which was also turned into an acclaimed 1931 King Vidor film,) this musical considers the rich and difficult lifes of working-class New Yorkers of all different ethnicities. Here, it is performed by the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz under the assured hand of conductor James Holmes. [More]

Composer: Kurt Weill