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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

March 1, 2021 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Tuesday, March 2, 2021, is “Speak Low.”

Today, we are remembering composer Kurt Weill, who was born in Dessau, Germany. His best known work, the 1928 The Threepenny Opera, grew out of his association with German playwright Bertold Brecht, which led to his marriage to Lotte Lenya. They fled Nazi Germany in 1933 and settled in New York. He began writing for Broadway, including scores Street Scene and One Touch of Venus. He died in 1950.

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written in 1943 by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash for the musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded this version of “Speak Low” in 1964 for his album When Lights Are Low, featuring the Ralph Sharon Trio.

Speak Low

Listen to Speak Low on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1964.

“Speak Low,” as well as When Lights Are Low, is available from Apple Music.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Kurt Weill, Kurt Weill birthday, Ogden Nash, One Touch of Venus, Ralph Sharon Trio, Tony Bennett

March 2, 2015 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Speak Low

The song of the day for Monday, March 2, 2015 is “Speak Low.”

About This Song

“Speak Low” was written by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash for the 1943 musical One Touch of Venus, where it was introduced by Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. In addition to several very fine Tony Bennett recordings, “Speak Low” has been widely recorded by jazz and popular performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Lena Horne.

About This Version

Today, we feature Tony Bennett’s 1989 version from Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. The arrangement is by Jorge Calandrelli and it swings very nicely, especially with the bass walking in the background. This recording, as well as the entire album, features the Ralph Sharon Trio, with Paul Langosch on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums, with The UK Orchestra Limited.

About Today

Today marks the 115th birthday of Kurt Weill, who composed today’s song. Weill was born on March 2, 1900 in Dessau, Germany. He was the son of a cantor. As a youth, he studied piano and began composing as a young teenager. He studied composition and music theory with Englebert Humperdinck. In the early 1920s, he began his association with Bertolt Brecht, resulting in The Threepenny Opera, with its most well-known song “Mack the Knife.”

In 1933, Weill left Nazi Germany and settled in New York with his wife, the actress Lotte Lenya. His popular works composed in America include One Touch of Venus, Lost in the Stars, Lady in the Dark and Knickerbocker Holiday.

Weill died in 1950, just a month past his 50th birthday.

Speak Low

Listen to Speak Low on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1990.


“Speak Low,” as well as Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Astoria: Portrait of the Artist, Jorge Calendrelli, Kurt Weill, Kurt Weill birthday, Ogden Nash, One Touch of Venus

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