Three questions this course will address are:
(1) in what way is the composer Kurt Weill, who died 75 years ago, still relevant to today’s audiences, (2) how did the two very different societies for which he wrote -- Weimar era Germany and New Deal era New York shape his music, and (3) what did the composers, artists, writers and scholars driven from Germany by the Nazis contribute to American culture?
Time’s Echo, Jeremy Eichler’s book on how music and history are “entwined” was the basis for our 2024 course “Music, War and Memory”. This time we will explore a wider range of the cultural and political issues Weill addressed in a period framed by two world wars and a great depression. We will also examine, and you will have the opportunity to hear in live performance, some of his iconic vocal music that many of us grew up with, such as “September Song”.
There is a wealth of information and commentary on Weill’s life and music on the website of the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music at www.kwf.org. You are also encouraged to visit the exhibit “Maine: A Force Within American Art” at the Farnsworth Art Museum.
PRESENTERS:
Bob Rackmales: Besides the course noted above, Bob has taught Senior College courses on Gustav Mahler, Dmitry Shostakovich, Mstislav Rostropovich and Philip Glass. He has degrees in German and European History from Johns Hopkins and Indiana Universities and received a Fulbright Grant to do graduate work at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany.
Sierra Lary: Recognized as an accomplished soloist, teacher and collaborator, Sierra has been praised for her voice’s “pristine brilliance and [her] natural musicality” (Rutland Herald). She has a Master’s Degree in Voice from the New England Conservatory, an Undergraduate Diploma from the Longy School of Music, and a Bachelor’s Degree from Emerson College. Ben Lary: Camden-born pianist and teacher Ben Lary has been involved with music in the Midcoast area for as long as he can remember. He received his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from UMASS Amherst where he studied with Andrew Wolf award-winning pianist Gilles Vonsattel. He continued his education at the Longy School of Music, studying with Ludmilla Lifson and Donald Berman.
Francesca Soriano: Francesca is the Associate Curator of American Art at the Farnsworth Art Museum. She holds a PhD from Boston University in the History of Art and Architecture with a specialization in 19th and 20th century American art.
Josie Davis: Josie received her B.M. and B.A. in violin and sociology at Oberlin College and Conservatory, and her Ed.M from Harvard. She has performed in a wide-range of venues, from Carnegie Hall to the Monte Music Festival in India, and has appeared with her sister on NPR’s From the Top. She is currently a member of Palaver Strings and Halcyon String Quartet and is the Executive Director of Bay Chamber.
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LOCATION & HOW TO REGISTER:
This course, offered jointly by Belfast Senior College, Coastal Senior College, and Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School, will be held at Hammer Hall in the Bay Chamber Music School facility in Camden, fully accessible with easy parking.
- If you are a member of Belfast Senior College or Coastal Senior College, please register through your respective college.
- If you are not a senior college member, please register directly through Bay Chamber Concerts.
