Brecht and Weill’s pivotal collaboration The Threepenny Opera retains its scathing bite and social relevance more than 70 years after its landmark Berlin premiere. The present recording includes all the musical numbers, incidental music not heard elsewhere, and a deleted aria for Lucy Brown. Weill’s original pit band instrumentation is restored to its definitive, ragtag glory, as are Brecht’s concert narrations that link each number and scene. Under HK Gruber’s crackerjack leadership, the Ensemble Modern plays with hair-raising, yet rather clinical precision, leaving the singers to convey the score’s stark, unpretty truths. Gruber’s sandpapery timbre is just right for Peachum. Casting former punk diva Nina Hagen as Mrs. Peachum was a stroke of genius, although her manic, over-the-top portrayal lacerates more than it cuts. Max Raabe’s sweet toned Macheath brings out the murderer’s oddly sympathetic side. Similarly, Timna Brauer plays a gentler, more vulnerable Jenny than the hardened slut the character’s usually made out to be, and Sona MacDonald’s edgy Polly also goes against type. Excellent notes, and complete texts and translations round out one of the most vibrant, involving Threepenny Opera recordings ever made. [11/24/1999]
