Short bio Marc Blitzstein
Full biography Marc Blitzstein
Marc Blitzstein was an American composer, lyricist, and librettist born on March 2, 1905, in Philadelphia. He is best known for his contributions to musical theater, as well as for his political activism and left-wing beliefs.
Blitzstein gained national attention in 1937 with his socialist opera, "The Cradle Will Rock," which was produced by the Federal Theatre Project. The success of this work led to other collaborations with notable figures in the arts, including Orson Welles, who produced Blitzstein's adaptation of "The Threepenny Opera."
Throughout his career, Blitzstein remained active in left-wing political circles and was known for his strong beliefs and outspoken nature. He was a vocal opponent of the U.S. government's anti-communist policies during the 1950s, and his political views often informed his work as a composer.
Blitzstein's body of work includes a diverse range of musical genres, including operas, musicals, and art songs. Some of his most well-known compositions include "Regina," "Reuben, Reuben," and "No for an Answer."
Tragically, Blitzstein's life was cut short in 1964 when he was killed in a car accident in Martinique. He was 58 years old at the time of his death.
Despite his relatively short career, Blitzstein's impact on American music remains notable. His work as a composer and political activist inspired many others in the arts, and his contributions to musical theater continue to be celebrated today.
Albums featuring Marc Blitzstein
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Marc Blitzstein, Leonard Lehrman – Music For Solo Piano, 1918-63(CD, Album, Remastered) | 2019 | Toccata Classics |
| 2 |  |
Marc Blitzstein, John Mauceri, Lawrence Edelson – The Cradle Will Rock(CD, Album) | 2018 | Bridge Records (4) |
| 3 |  |
Zipperfly & Other Songs(CD, Album) | 2009 | Koch International Classics |
| 4 |  |
Marc Blitzstein / Del Sol String Quartet / Sarah Cahill – First Life: The Rare Early Works(CD, Album) | 2009 | Other Minds |
| 5 |  |
The Marc Blitzstein Centennial Concert CD(CD, Album, Stereo, Mono) | 2005 | Original Cast Records |
| 6 |  |
Marc Blitzstein - Helene Williams, Gregory Mercer, James Sergi, Leonard Lehrman – A Marc Blitzstein Songbook(CD, Album) | 2001 | Original Cast |
| 7 |  |
Piston, Blitzstein, Hill, Orson Welles, Choral Art Society, Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic – American Masters 2(CD, Compilation) | 2000 | Sony Classical |
| 8 |  |
Marc Blitzstein - Patti LuPone – The Cradle Will Rock(CD, Reissue) | 1999 | Jay Records (4) |
| 9 |  |
Musical Theatre Performances(2×CD, Album) | 1998 | Pearl |
| 10 |  |
Marc Blitzstein - John Mauceri Conducting The Scottish Opera Orchestra And Chorus, Ciesinski, Ramey, Réaux, Greenawald – Regina(2×CD, Album, Box Set, ) | 1992 | Decca |
| 11 |  |
William Schuman, Samuel Barber, Marc Blitzstein, Gregg Smith Singers – 3 American One-Act Operas(CD, ) | 1991 | Premier Recordings |
| 12 |  |
Marc Blitzstein - Helene Williams, Ronald Edwards (5), Leonard Lehrman – A Blitzstein Cabaret(CD, Album) | 1990 | Premier Recordings |
| 13 |  |
The Brooklyn Philharmonic, Tobias Picker, Marc Blitzstein, Lukas Foss – Keys To The City/Piano Concerto(CD, ) | 1988 | Composers Recordings Inc. (CRI) |
| 14 |  |
Copland • Blitzstein • Harris • Barber • Schuman • Ramey • Bowles - Bennett Lerner – American Piano Music | 1986 | Etcetera (3) |
| 15 |  |
The Cradle Will Rock – Original 1985 Cast Recording | 1985 | PolyGram Records, Inc. |
| 16 |  |
The Cradle Will Rock (Original Cast) | 1981 | MGM Records |
| 17 |  |
No For An Answer / Juno(LP, Compilation, Mono) | 1977 | JJA |
| 18 |  |
Marc Blitzstein - New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein – The Airborne Symphony | 1976 | Sony Classical |
| 19 |  |
Marc Blitzstein - Shirley Booth, Melvyn Douglas – Juno | 1959 | Columbia Masterworks |
| 20 |  |
Marc Blitzstein, Brenda Lewis, Elisabeth Carron, Carol Brice, Joshua Hecht, New York City Opera Orchestra, New York City Opera Chorus, Samuel Krachmalnick – Regina | 1958 | Columbia Masterworks |
| 21 |  |
Marc Blitzstein(LP) | 1956 | Westminster |
| 22 |  |
Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht, Marc Blitzstein – Excerpts From The Threepenny Opera (No. 2) (Die Dreigroschenoper)(7", 45 RPM, EP) | 1956 | MGM Records |
| 23 |  |
Kurt Weill - Bertolt Brecht - Marc Blitzstein – Excerpts From The Threepenny Opera (No. 1) (Die Dreigroschenoper)(7", 45 RPM, EP) | 1956 | MGM Records |
| 24 |  |
Marc Blitzstein Presents "The Cradle Will Rock", "No For An Answer, "Regina" | 1956 | Spoken Arts |
| 25 |  |
Kurt Weill, Marc Blitzstein – The Threepenny Opera (Die Dreigroschenoper) | 1954 | MGM Records |
| 26 |  |
No For An Answer | 1951 | Theme |
| 27 |  |
Marc Blitzstein, Henry Cowell, Norman Dello Joio, Lukas Foss, Leo Smit – American Composers At The Piano(4×12", 78 RPM, Album, Limited Edition, Mono) | 1947 | Concert Hall |
| 28 |  |
The Cradle Will Rock – Original Cast Recording | 1938 | Musicraft |
| 29 |  |
Marc Blitzstein, Muriel Smith – Songs Of The Theater -Marc Blitzstein(LP, Album, Mono) | - | Concert Hall |
Videos featuring Marc Blitzstein
Carol Channing "Fraught" Live Audio 1941 Marc Blitzstein "No For An Answer"
This is a rare live broadcast of Carol Channing in 1941 performing "Fraught", from "No For An Answer" (her Broadway debut though it proved to be brief). Composer Marc Blitzstein introduces and accompanies her on piano. A sort of sequel to "The Cradle Will
On a Day Like This
Provided to YouTube by Sony Music Entertainment
On a Day Like This · Shirley Booth · Melvyn Douglas · Jack MacGowran · Juno Ensemble · Monte Amundsen
Juno (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
℗ Originally released 1959 Sony Music Entertainment
Re
Threepenny Opera 1954, (Complete) Lotte Lenya, Bea Arthur, Scott Merrill
Theater de Lys New York, off Broadway.
lyrics: Bertolt Brecht.
English version: Marc Blitzstein.
Music: Kurt Weill.
Director: Carmen Capalbo
Conductor: Samuel Matlowsky
01. Prologue & Overture 00:00
02.The Ballad Of Mack The Knife
Song of the Ma
Provided to YouTube by Sony Music Entertainment
Song of the Ma · Shirley Booth
Juno (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
℗ Originally released 1959 Sony Music Entertainment
Released on: 2011-04-05
Vocal: Shirley Booth
Composer, Lyricist: Marc Blitzs
The Cradle Will Rock (Full Original Orchestrations) - The Nickel Under Your Foot
For decades, this was the only recording in existence of "The Nickel Under Your Foot," one of the most well-known songs from Marc Blitzstein's historic musical The Cradle Will Rock, with Blitzstein's full original orchestrations. This is the way it was in
What Is the Stars
Provided to YouTube by Sony Music Entertainment
What Is the Stars · Melvyn Douglas · Jack MacGowran
Juno (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
℗ Originally released 1959 Sony Music Entertainment
Released on: 2011-04-05
Vocal: Melvyn Douglas
Vocal: J
Marc Blitzstein "Reuben Reuben" Patrice Munsel Evelyn Lear "Song of the Arrow" Rare Acetate
This is the acetate demo recorded by Patrice Munsel with composer Marc Blitzstein on the piano of the remarkable coloratura aria "Song of the Arrow" from his lost-in-Boston Broadway-intended musical "Reuben Reuben". Cast included Eddie Albert, Kaye Ballar
It's Not Irish
Provided to YouTube by Sony Music Entertainment
It's Not Irish · Arthur Rubin · Melvyn Douglas · Rico Froehlich · Robert Rue
Juno (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
℗ Originally released 1959 Sony Music Entertainment
Released on: 2011-04-05
Voc
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