Ernst Krenek
Schwergewicht oder Die Ehre der Nation
Duration: 25'
Libretto von: Ernst Krenek
Übersetzer: Richard Austin
Roles:
Adam Ochsenschwanz
Baßbuffo / Evelyne
Sopran / Gaston
Tenor / Prof. Himmelhuber
Bariton / Anna Maria Himmelhuber
Mezzosopran / 2 kleinere Partien
2 stumme Rollen
Instrumentation details:
2·2·2·2 - 0·2·2·0 - timp., perc.(4) - pno - bjo- str.
Krenek - Schwergewicht oder Die Ehre der Nation
Sample pages
Audio preview
Work introduction
This fascinating, effervescent dance music came about from Krenek’s outrage over a statement by the German Ambassador to the U.S.A. when the boxer Max Schmeling was visiting, to the effect that prize-fighters were the true cultural envoys of the day. Krenek decided to expose the silly heroes of the modern era by way of music which, he hoped, would become a popular hit song. Heavyweight is also frequently performed as part of a trilogy, along with The Dictator and The Secret Kingdom.