Lotte Lenya sings Kurt Weill (vaimusic.com)

[Rudipolt]

Fine Song!

[45r2d2]

I have rarely ever heard a song that inspired my fantasy that much.

Btw in this song she does NOT sing with an Austrian accent!

[charrid1]

this song is on my list of 5 reasons to learn German. Has anyone got her doing Bilbao song? please upload

[charrid1]

this song is on my list of 5 reasons to learn German. Has anyone got her doing Bilbao song? please upload

[sappleseed]

First heard this by Bette Midler in the 70s but Lenya owns it.

[SueBeaWho]

Amazing! I do not speak German but I feel I understand it all. I can tell when she has "righteous indignation" and when she has "sorrow", What a GREAT actress!!! And that Johnny bastid better WATCH OUT cuz I can tell don't MESS WITH HER LOL tee hee!!!

[mhender668]

The only thing worse than her voice is her German. This is pathetic

[ifeeltiredsleepy]

@mhender668 German is her native language... Albeit, I suppose, with an Austrian accent.

[andiejanefisher]

@mhender668 you are

[SpaceCowboy641]

@mhender668 Neither her voice nor her german were pathetic. She was born in Austria and had a slight austrian accent. For german ears it's quite pleasant ... even charming ! But, each has his own taste.

[juju1305]

Such an artist. Who would believe that this woman is the one who played Rosa Klebb, the evil bitch secret agent with the poisonous shoes in "From Russia with Love" :)

Miss her

[leongeyer]

Nothing to make believe text and music of a song as an actress who knows to sing, or/and a singer who knows to act.

[CaptainBluebear08]

Haha, she played Rosa Klebb, with the gleaming shoes..., in "From Russia With Love"... : )))

great lady

[truusdotnet]

anybody who does not like this ..well..they are just dumbkopfs

[KaterinaStamatelos1]

Thank you so much for uploading this masterpiece!

[gmdinformation]

It was two years before this film was made that Louie Armstrong recording his version of Mack The Knife. Supposedly Lotte was in the studio watching him, and he added her name in the lyrics off-the-cuff. Apparently she liked it.

[straumeeee]

Немецкая Эдит Пиаф....

[diddywahdaddy]

Incredible. Really.

[pataphysician66]

Wasn't there a version with the lyrics that went some thing like "i looked into a mirror one day and what did I see- a two dollar whore on a spree"? or something like that- instead of "I saw an old lady looking back at me" as is featured in the English version?

[Onlymusical]

Just saw the 1931 film of "The Threepenny Opera" this week. Seek that out!!

[bobinobaker]

Oft kopiert und nie erreicht - Lotte Lenya !!!

Die einzige die ähnliche Qualitäten besitzt ist Gisela May .

[carsanookdotcom]

Merci~

Bangkok Johnny

+66817138954

[philopiantubes70]

Superb. That is how you own a song.

[BillSalem]

I heard Lenya tell how she asked Brecht about his theories of Epic Theater.

"Brecht," she said, "I don't know what this is, this Epic Theater of yours. Please explain it to me."

"Lenya," Brecht said, "Anything you do when you are on stage, that is Epic theater."

[Moem43]

Magnificent!

[claudio249347a]

wonderful!

[PreuschoffPerrier]

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wunderbar gesungen! Großes Kompliment und liebe Grüße Inge

[207nkf]

MS Lenya, is also the Russian superior in To Russia with Love!!!...James Bond

[tapdancegirl88]

does she tap dance

[m0nkirebeLLa]

ich liebe dieses lied

[ryanbelknap]

This may sound weird, but watching her is like watching some sort of twisted Judy Garland.  Her singing and facial expressions are so mesmerizing.

[ryanbelknap]

Fantastisch! Ich heb niemend es vor horen.

[PhilHyde]

she had her kicks

[UnaDormienda]

I can only suppose that she is acting in the Brechtian style of "dialectical theatre" and using "gestus". I can only suppose it because whenever anyone explains this to me it's a different explanation, and I never understand it. The Wikipedia article is incomprehensible too.

Nevertheless, it is a fascinating performance. Detatched, compelling, artificial, natural.

[tonyinvan]

The mention of Canadian singer Teresa Stratas made me remember a superb video of her doing this song totally in character of a jilted woman. I wish it was available on youtube. Anybody have it?

[gnw1944]

@tonyinvan She does it on one of her "Weill" albums. It's SUPERB !!! I'm sure Lenya would have endorsed it as well. The heart-pendant Lenya wears in this video she gave to Stratas on the eve of her Mahoganny debut at the Met (1978). Weill had given it to Lenya on the eve of the 3-Penny Opera debut in Berlin.

[Ilkamy]

Simply wonderful!

Thanks for sharing this rarely video!

[carsanookdotcom]

This excllent clip brings back memories of 'Der Ulli & Der Willi, DDR " Deutsche Dramatische Republik" and Checkpoint Charlie. But also the fact that East Germany produced culture of a quality that West Germany only could dream of providing their people.

Bangkok Johnny

Kingdom of Thailand

[slowfoodwawa]

@carsanookdotcom

Oh my dear!!!! GDR was a dictatory regime. Artists were only sponsored, when they accepted all restrictions. If that is then support of culture in the sense, many of us wnat to see, I personally doubt very much.

And Lotte Lenya does not need such.

[heliopathy]

real...

[UandMeKid]

Brilliant! I've heard many different versions of this song and this one is paticularly moving. Now the big question: What the heck does "surabaya" mean?

[UandMeKid]

@UandMeKid Ah! I've done a little research to answer my own question. Surabaya is the second largest city in Indonesia! Now I know.

[brickbat44]

damme

[07kike]

Lote Lenya ha creado un canon en la interpretacion de Kurt Waill dificil de superar.Tengo los disco de Teresa Stratas,he visto varias veces en concierto a Utte Lemper y tambien a Marianne Faithfull haciendo este repertorio y a pesar de mi admiracion por ellas...no,no es lo mismo

[RUDDIBARDOT]

I LOVE THIS WOMAN

[thelex001]

I've listened to and enjoyed this music for decades, but it never occurred to me to find it on YouTube and actually have Rosa Klebb sing it straight into my office...Absolutely marvelous.

[EDUARDOHOCOHUOC]

genia genia genia total!

[dearmalika]

Thank you so much for posting this!

[LottefromDenmark]

I was named after her!! I grew up listening to Brecht/Weill and I always loved this song. It gives me the chills...so moving. Thanks so much for posting!

[paulprocopolis]

Stangely moving despite Lenya's limited vocal resources. In fact it may be the vocal fragility, complementing the distress of the text, that makes this performance so heart-wrenching.

[sillyboydeux]

Perfect vocalism was never a tradition in Europe the way that it is here; as when Karen Akers sings Piaf with a "better" voice. Unfortunately, she is imitating a true original, warts and all, something Akers really isn't. In the same way, Lenye was not classically trained, nor was Dietrich or any of the cabaret singers in the pre-War II era. But the caress of that voice on the words, their incredibly personal relationships to the music they are singing, make them unforgettable.

[chillie59]

Mein Gott, wie ich dieses Stück gesucht habe. Vielen Dank fürs Posten....xx

[TreblePop]

thanks for posting.  good stuff

[RogueRotting360]

Interesting. Though I see it more as a strong two fingers up to everything Nazi Germany stood for.

Give me vile Kurt Weill, Brecht, Schoenberg or Stravinsky over over-blown Wagner any day of the week.

[cicerone63]

the Basilio, l'opera si chiama Happy end.

ciao!

[badturkali]

she played rosa klebb in from russia with love

[Rapicienta]

es impresionante esta mujerrr, impresionante...

[TheBasilio]

sabes como se llama esta obra de kurt weill?

[Snowydog123]

This video shows why Lenya remains an icon, especially in the repetoire. Having now heard more legit singers doing the Weill songs (Teresa Stratas anyone), I would not want to only have this interpretation, however I sure as heck would not want to not have it.

[hela99]

check out Nina Hagen's version watch?v=zasJAJmpgTQ

[octavioarmendariz]

I can post them. Is there a place I can post them for everyone?

[trwent]

She's had her kicks!!!

[BelitaRuiva]

Fantastic...Thank you!

[ipmoic]

I think Gingold would have been an inspired choice--in English of course. Please tell me about Winchell's attacks. He was an insecure, destructive force.

It's good, with all the media outlets of today, that nobody has that kind of make or break power any longer.

[ccaammiiittoo1]

The specifics are long ago. But he was given to what many people considered ill advised tirades, Gingold being one of them. And of course, his tirade against Josephine Baker is now immortal.

[LeRoyGuy]

I can't find the German text anywhere. Anyone care to lend me a hand?

[apronlow]

I have them. I can scan it and email it to you if you want. They are from the album Lotte Lenya sings Berlin Theatre songs by Kurt Weill (Columbia)

[octavioarmendariz]

Did you get the German text. I can email it to you along with an English singing translation. Best. Octavio

[knifecut]

awesome. thanks for posting!!

[Bistruk]

Wonderful!

[ccaammiiittoo]

Lenya is at once at her most enjoyable in this clip. And we'll have to wait an eternity before we see another Kurt Weil. I can't help but wonder whether British star Hermione Gingold could have also interpreted Weil.

[1gnatz]

What an enchanting idea. For my part I would have liked Julie Andrews to give it a shot.

[ccaammiiittoo1]

Hoping you read this since I've added two more names to this roster. After listening to Sophie Tucker essay "My Yiddisha Mama," I felt she would be a likely candidate since she sang German. But I don't know if the late Bea Arthu spoke German, but here's another gem. What timing, what an individual.

[sclogse1]

Robert Wilson's Tom Waits collaborations have produced some marvelous songs. The Alice and Blood Money Albums, have really wonderful music in them, and I hear they are not done. The orchestrations of the songs are also brilliant.

[bachboy111]

Interesting, do you think winehouse could tackle the pronounciation? I think she could sing it, but German is difficult.

[ccaammiiittoo]

I don't know enough about Winehouse's work. The reason I mentioned Gingold is that her satire's were very subtle and she seemed to have such an understanding of her character. Moreover, she herself seemed like a character out of the Weil mould. In other word, I thought Gingold brilliant and most underrated. I also resented Walter Winchell's attacks on her.

[Bigmac79]

Great! Danke!

[TwipleThwet]

For the perfect parody, listen to Jessica Molaskey sing "Surabaya Santa" in "Songs for a New World."

[bjoaquinesq]

Timeless... Enchanting... Breath taking woman and voice... Much love to all her fans... God Bless Madame Lotte Lenya.

[mklambatsea]

What kind of happiness she can give to me

nothing can replace her  BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!

my heart moves

[YrNameHr]

extraordinary. Isn't this the same actress who appeared in "From Russia With Love"? She was a fabulous Bond villain.

[rubmscl]

Yes - she played Rosa Klebb in "From Russia With Love"

[amaraca]

Saul Bolasni once painted Lotte Lenya. He is my personal friend, despite the difference in age. Lotte is great.

[vvbb54]

Somebody please upload Jenny the Sea-Robbers` Bride by Lotte Lenya

[ewostyria]

Lotte's voice kills! How to describe it best? First it expresses fragility tinged with melancholy yet at the same time you will find a determination and roughness in it that belies the first impression of vulnerability. As a matter of fact it is quite powerful, not what you normally associate with such a silky timbre.

And with regard to the comment of the "DDR bra manufacturing": Such music transcends sartorial trifles. Would it really be any more impressive in a french bra?

[poojones13]

Some lobster for my liebling! I loved her in The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone and LOVED the play at Studio 54 with Cyndi Lauper, Alan Cumming and Ana Gastyer!

[rlm0508]

Excellent.

[ImpatraZ]

A legend working her magic!

[lewmazk]

i love her music now i was first exposed to her when i saw the musical lovemusik on broadway im obsessed with her now

[fromdaspires]

Viva Brecht Viva Weill Viva Rosa Luxemburg

[BraggadocioBordello]

Her tits were still perfect, like her carisma.

[havetohavemusic]

Good DDR bra manufacturing, maybe?

[monkfishseye]

funny AND true!!!

[zoreket]

where can I find the German lyrics?

Thanks!

[nijnmoem]

Wonderful!

[nijnmoem]

Wonderful!

[ikmarchini]

Lenya thru her husband's music draws us into one hopelessly in love. A singing artist.

[hoffmann9471]

Faszinierend , SIE hier noch einmal sehen und hören zu können. Wunderbar ! Danke f. das Einstellen hier. 5*

[SohoSquare]

I've only known Lotte Lenya from vinyl and CD - thank you for this video. I've thoroughly enjoyed watching it and hearing her sing.

[dearmalika]

einmaliges video!wunderbar!