The music of Germany between the 1920s and 1940s reflects a society undergoing extraordinary change. Spanning the years from the cultural vibrancy of the Weimar Republic to the final days of the Third Reich, these songs blend classical traditions with popular music, operetta, cabaret, and the emerging influence of jazz.
One of the period's distinctive musical expressions was Berlin's so-called "Prussian swing"—a style combining the precision of marching rhythms with jazz-inspired syncopation to create a sound that was at once disciplined, witty, and unmistakably urban. Beneath the catchy melodies, many of these songs conceal melancholy, irony, and subtle social or political commentary, revealing the tensions and contradictions of their time.
In this fascinating programme, Anne Sofie von Otter is joined by the Salon Orchestra of the Komische Oper Berlin under the direction of Adam Benzwi. Their selection ranges from lyrical songs and operetta favourites to satirical cabaret numbers and delightfully absurd chansons. Together, they reveal the remarkable emotional breadth of this repertoire, where glamour and humour often coexist with longing, uncertainty, and quiet resilience.
