Hanns Eisler (1898-1962): a soldier during World War I, fled Germany to reach Los Angeles via Paris and London. In 1948, he was deported from the United States, and then in East Berlin, Eisler was once again tried on suspicion of having incorrect motives. Cut off from his roots, searching for the meaning (or meaninglessness) of existence, he set Brecht’s words to music in an incomparable way. In his songs, you can hear the sense of displacement and his longing for a better world. Listen to ‘An eine Stadt’ with lyrics by Friedrich H\u00f6lderlin here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eisler’s songs are written for voice and piano. Some have arrangements for strings composed by Eisler himself. We have created a new arrangement for a Baroque orchestra. Is that appropriate? Is it allowed? Eisler and Baroque?<\/p>\n\n\n\n