Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
KLEZMER: MAKING MUSIC AGAIN
Jewish music - be itklezmeras played by Tamás Masa and his band Sabbathsong
(
www.sabbathsong.hu
)
or influenced Yiddish vocals belted out by the likes of diva
Judit Klein (
www.muzsikus.hu/kleinjudit
)
- is a crowd-puller at venues like the
Spinoza Café
in Pest.
An in
r klezmerr?
Absolutely anyone can play it as long as it is from the heart. Jewish and gentile
hearts both welcome.
And kle
n indelic
delicatte que
e questtiion p
n perrhaps, b
, but is b
ut is beiing J
g Jewish a p
ish a prrerrequis
quisiite f
e for kle
nly club?
That's ancient history. Before the warklezmerwas male-dominated and instru-
mental. When it reappeared from the USA and Israel, it brought women vocalists. Now
they are the most famousklezmersingers in Europe.
And th
d klezmer is n
r is no lo
o longer a b
r a boys--only club?
e muustt--havess?
The violin, clarinet and accordion are central, but you can also add drums and even
something like theoud(a mandolin-like Middle Eastern instrument). Really anything
can be klezmered.
Kle
d the in
e insttrruumentts? Wh
s? What a
t arre th
e the m
Klezmerredd?
Jewish musicians have always been influenced by the music of the country in which
they live. Each place has added something new - it's a real pastiche. For example,
when Jews were not allowed to play their music, the Roma took it over. You can still
hear the link in many of their songs and theirs in ours. We want to keep that tradition
alive. That's why we say we are 'több mint klezmer' (more thanklezmer).
WWhat do
r do bestt?
Jewish music can be both happy and sad, reflecting our people's history. But
klezmeris alwaysörömzene(joyful music), as it was originally played at weddings.
This music will take you for a ride. But music has power too and can help people to un-
derstand Jewish culture better.
t does kle
s klezmer do b
SHOPPING
Erzsébetváros
BOOKS
MASSOLIT
