Klezmer

Klezmer (כלזמיר, from Hebrew k'li zemer כלי זמר, "instrument of song") is a musical tradition which parallels Hasidic and Ashkenazic Judaism. Around the 15th century, a tradition of secular (non-liturgical) Jewish music was developed by musicians called klezmorim. They drew on devotional traditions extending back into Biblical times, and their musical legacy of klezmer continues to evolve today. The repertoire is largely dance songs for weddings and other celebrations.

Orchestration

Klezmer is generally instrumental, although at weddings klezmorim traditionally accompany the wedding entertainer. A typical orchestra would include a first violin, a contra-violin, a tsimbl (cimbalom or hammered dulcimer), a bass or cello, and sometimes a flute. The melody is generally assigned to the lead violin, while the remainder providing harmony, rhythm and some counterpoint (the latter usually coming from the second violin). Klezmer percussion tends to be minimal, no more than a woodblock or snare drum. (The snare drum is the more "authentic" of the two. The use of a wood block by modern klezmorim is the result of an attempt to imitate recordings from the early 20th Century, in which snare drums, whose volume tended to overwhelm the primitive recording equipment of the time, were replaced with quieter instruments.) Some modern performers in this style include Alicia Svigals, The Burning Bush, and Budowitz.

Related Topics:
Violin - Tsimbl - Cimbalom - Hammered dulcimer - Bass - Cello - Flute - Woodblock - Snare drum - Alicia Svigals - The Burning Bush - Budowitz

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Some Klezmer revival bands look to loud-instrument klezmer, jazz, and Dixieland for inspiration. Their band is similar to a typical jazz band, with some differences. They use a clarinet for the melody, and make great use of the trombone for slides and other flourishes. When a cymbalom sound is called for, a piano is played with sustain. Performers in this style include The Klezmatics, Klezmer Conservatory Band and The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. Other klezmer bands look back to different eras or regions, and attempt to recreate specific styles of klezmer--for example, the band Muzsikas has released albums in the 19th-century Rumanian klezmer style, with only violins, tsimbls and other stringed instruments, giving even the happier passages a more haunting feel.

Related Topics:
Jazz - Dixieland - Clarinet - Trombone - Piano - The Klezmatics - Klezmer Conservatory Band - The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band - Muzsikas

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