In Search of Youkali - Songs of Kurt Weill

$21.99
Label
Chandos
Release Date
January 9, 2026
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      Kurt Weill
    • PERFORMER
      Katie Bray, William Vann, Murray Grainger, Marianne Schofield
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      January 09, 2026
    • UPC
      0095115235928
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      CHAN 20359
    • LABEL
      Chandos
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Classical
    Works ⌄

    1. A Glimpse of Youkali

      Composer: Katie Bray

      Performer: Katie Bray

    2. Die Dreigroschenoper, Act I: Barbara-Song (arr. K. Bray, M. Grainger, M. Schofield and W. Vann for voice, double bass, piano and accordion)

      Composer: Kurt Weill

      Performer: Katie Bray, Marianne Schofield, William Vann, Murray Grainger

    3. Berlin im Licht (version for voice and piano)

      Composer: Kurt Weill

      Performer: Katie Bray, William Vann

    4. Die Dreigroschenoper: Overture (arr. M. Grainger, M. Schofield and W. Vann for double bass, piano and accordion)

      Composer: Kurt Weill

      Performer: Marianne Schofield, William Vann, Murray Grainger

    5. Happy End, Act III: Surabaya Johnny (arr. K. Bray, M. Grainger, M. Schofield and W. Vann for voice, double bass, piano and accordion)

      Composer: Kurt Weill

      Performer: Katie Bray, Marianne Schofield, William Vann, Murray Grainger

    6. A Vision of Youkali

      Composer: Murray Grainger

      Performer: Murray Grainger

    7. Complainte de la Seine

      Composer: Kurt Weill

      Performer: Katie Bray, William Vann

    8. Je ne t'aime pas

      Composer: Kurt Weill

      Performer: Katie Bray, William Vann

    9. Marie Galante: J'attends un navire (arr. K. Bray, M. Grainger, M. Schofield and W. Vann for voice, double bass, piano and accordion)

      Composer: Kurt Weill

      Performer: Katie Bray, Marianne Schofield, William Vann, Murray Grainger

    10. A Dream of Youkali

      Composer: Marianne Schofield

      Performer: Marianne Schofield

    11. Buddy on the Nightshift (arr. K. Bray, M. Schofield and W. Vann for voice, double bass and piano)

      Composer: Kurt Weill

      Performer: Katie Bray, Marianne Schofield, William Vann

    12. Nanna's Lied

      Composer: Kurt Weill

      Performer: Katie Bray, William Vann

    13. Knickerbocker Holiday: September Song (arr. L.C. Singer for piano)

      Composer: Kurt Weill

      Performer: William Vann

    14. Huckleberry Finn: Apple Jack (arr. K. Bray and M. Grainger for voice and accordion)

      Composer: Kurt Weill

      Performer: Katie Bray, Murray Grainger

    15. A Premonition of Youkali

      Composer: Katie Bray

      Performer: Katie Bray

    16. One Touch of Venus: Speak Low (arr. K. Bray and W. Vann for voice and piano)

      Composer: Kurt Weill

      Performer: Katie Bray, William Vann

    17. Lady in the Dark: My Ship (arr. K. Bray and W. Vann for voice and piano)

      Composer: Kurt Weill

      Performer: Katie Bray, William Vann

    18. Huckleberry Finn: This Time Next Year (arr. K. Bray and W. Vann for voice and piano)

      Composer: Kurt Weill

      Performer: Katie Bray, William Vann

    19. Youkali (arr. K. Bray, M. Grainger, M. Schofield and W. Vann for voice, double bass, piano and accordion)

      Composer: Kurt Weill

      Performer: Katie Bray, Marianne Schofield, William Vann, Murray Grainger


Winner of the Dame Joan Sutherland Audience Prize at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, the British mezzo-soprano Katie Bray has become known for her magnetic stage presence and gleaming, expressive tone. Katie writes: 'Youkali, It is the land of our desires, It is happiness, it is pleasure... But it is a dream, a folly, There is no Youkali! This song was my first encounter with Kurt Weill, more than twenty years ago, and that yearning, mesmerising tango has been a constant companion ever since. The sentiment behind 'Youkali' touched me deeply, and seemed to echo Weill's own search for a place of personal and artistic freedom, a German Jew forced into exile in 1933 owing to the rise of the Nazi regime. He moved around the world, and with each new country came a reinvention of himself and some more miraculous musical shape-shifting. 'Youkali' is Weill's 'Somewhere over the rainbow', an idea that resonates strongly with me, and seems painfully relevant to us all as I write this, in 2025, yet again living in a world at war. My performances of Weill's songs have always centred around 'Youkali' and Weill's search for a place to belong and to be free. I have wanted to make this album for many years, and am thrilled finally to have had the chance to do so with such a special team of collaborators and friends. It is my tribute to Kurt Weill, the chameleon, in all his glory, and a tribute to us all in our search for kindness, love, and peace.'