TV REVIEWS : ‘Kurt Weill’ Strains Instead of Sings

You’d think some sort of social or political viewpoint would be mandatory in surveying the radically outspoken songbook of German-born composer Kurt Weill (1900-1950). However, the 90-minute “The Music of Kurt Weill: September Songs” telecast on PBS tonight is conceived merely as an all-star, MTV-live songfest and quickly grows confused about nearly everything Weill achieved or represented.

How, for instance, is it any kind of tribute to Weill when Lou Reed completely re-composes “September Song” or William S. Burroughs reads a lyric from “Die Dreigroschenoper” in one of the ghastly English translations blighting the telecast?

Isn’t Weill being exploited, rather than interpreted, when his music becomes unrecognizable in a rap adaptation of “Der Song von Mandalay” (courtesy of the Ghettoriginal dancers and Toino Tactics) or, at the other extreme, smothered by diva mannerisms (Teresa Stratas’ monstrously overwrought “Surabaya Johnny”)?

Writer-director Larry Weinstein uses a picturesque old warehouse as an aptly grandiose and grungy unit set, periodically layering in newsreel footage and glimpses of Weill memorabilia for basic, need-to-know biographical data. Some of the inserts could be clearer, but they not only provide relief from the song stagings but also offer opportunities to introduce vintage recordings by Mrs. Weill, the great Lotte Lenya.

Admittedly, Lenya is a problem in Weill performance: As her voice grew thick and toneless late in her career, the public came to believe that singing Weill was principally a matter of attitude--sounding tough and gritty at all costs. That belief is at the heart of the ruinous arrangements and interpretations on the telecast.

Other highlights: Elvis Costello and the Brodsky String Quartet (“Lost in the Stars”), the Persuasions (a chorus from “Mahagonny”), Charlie Haden (a “Speak Low” duet with an old Weill recording) and the choreography by Ginette Laurin that adds atmosphere and poignancy to the “Youkali” sequence and the finale.

* “The Music of Kurt Weill: September Songs” airs at 10 tonight on KCET-TV Channel 28 and at 9 p.m. on KVCR-TV Channel 24.