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Kurt Weill’s Symphonies: New Repertory Staples

Mar. 11, 2022

Kurt Weill’s Symphonies: New Repertory Staples

Kurt Weill’s eminence in music theater genres has sometimes obscured his achievements as a symphonist. In recent years, however, performances and audiences have increasingly recognized the strength and artful construction of his Symphonie in einem Satz (Symphony No. 1) and Fantaisie symphonique (Symphony No. 2) Both works have appeared much more frequently in recent years on programs both in the United States and Europe. 

In February 2021, Kirill Petrenko led the Berliner Philharmoniker in an electrifying performance of Symphonie in einem Satz, the world premiere of the new critical edition soon to be published as part of the Kurt Weill Edition. The performance is still available for viewing on the Philharmoniker’s “Digital Concert Hall” platform. (See below for a video excerpt.) Petrenko was so taken with the work that he took it as the subject of a special educational video intended to spark interest in classical music among teenagers and young adults. 

As if to underline its emergence as a staple of the standard concert repertory, Weill’s Fantaisie symphonique will appear within the space of one week in March on programs in three countries. First in line is Italy’s Teatro del Maggio on March 20 led by Marc Minkowski. On March 25, Kerem Hasan leads the first of three performances by Austria’s Baden Tonkunstler. The next day, Bochum Symphoniker under the direction of Tung-Chieh Chuang takes its turn. The list of conductors who have taken to the piece in recent years tells its own story:  Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Lahav Shani, Dennis Russell Davies, HK Gruber, Sian Edwards, Martyn Brabbins, Marie Jacquot.

Click here to view an excerpt of Kirill Petrenko’s February 2021 performance of Weill’s Symphonie in einem Satz with the Berliner Philharmoniker.


(A full performance of Fantaisie symphonique with HK Gruber
leading the Swedish Chamber Orchestra; begins at 13:00)

To learn more about Kurt Weill, visit kwf.org or schott-music.com.

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