The Book, Cat, & Cat Book Lovers Almanac

of historical trivia regarding books, cats, and other animals. Actually this blog has evolved so that it is described better as a blog about cats in history and culture. And we take as a theme the advice of Aldous Huxley: If you want to be a writer, get some cats. Don't forget to see the archived articles linked at the bottom of the page.

April 3, 2020

April 3, 1950


Kurt Weill, (March 2, 1900 to April 3, 1950) born in Dessau, the son of a cantor, received an education worthy of the musical genius he was. He also, took a philosophy course with Ernst Cassirer, but that detail won't be relevant to many. 

Kurt Weill wrote to his wife:

It is wonderful here [Berlin]. The trees are not so far along as in Vienna; it's only beginning to get green and the best time is to come. ...You'll be surprised how one can breath again when one enters this beautiful , bright house. Harras recognised me right away and was as happy as a kid. Polly awaits maternal bliss with resignation.There was a lot of mail, but all trivial. Very high gas and electric bills.

The letter is dated to May, 1932.

Harras is his dog,
Polly is the cat.

In less than a year he had fled to Paris.

The book of his letters to his wife, Lotte Lenya, Speak Low (When You Speak Love): The Letters of Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya (1996), where I found the excerpt quoted, is available in its entirety here.


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