Klezmer Flashcards
What is the origin of the term ‘Klezmer’?
The term ‘Klezmer’ comes from the Hebrew words kli (instrument) and zemer (song)
Where did Klezmer music originate?
Klezmer music originated in the shtetls and urban centers of Eastern Europe, particularly in modern-day Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania
What were the primary functions of Klezmer musicians?
Klezmer musicians primarily played at Jewish life-cycle events, especially weddings
What influences contributed to the development of Klezmer music?
Klezmer music absorbed elements from Slavic, Ottoman, Romanian, and Greek folk music, as well as Jewish liturgical music
Name three instruments commonly found in early Klezmer ensembles.
- Violin
- Clarinet
- Cimbalom
What characterized the Golden Age of Klezmer music in the 19th century?
The professionalization of klezmer musicians and the emergence of popular dance forms
What are some popular forms of dance associated with Klezmer music?
- Freylekhs
- Bulgar
- Hora
How did Jewish immigration to the Americas impact Klezmer music?
It brought Klezmer music to new audiences and influenced it with jazz and ragtime
Who were notable figures in the early 20th-century Klezmer scene?
Naftule Brandwein and Dave Tarras
What major event in the mid-20th century caused a decline in Klezmer music?
World War II and the Holocaust
What led to the post-war decline of Klezmer music in the United States?
Assimilation into more Western musical styles by Jewish communities
What sparked the revival of Klezmer music in the 1970s?
A resurgence of interest led by musicians and scholars like Henry Sapoznik
How have modern Klezmer artists innovated the genre?
By blending traditional Klezmer with jazz, rock, and classical music
What are key characteristics of Klezmer music?
- Maqam-inspired modes
- Expressive ornamentation
- Emotional range
What is the emotional range of Klezmer music?
Klezmer spans joyous dances to melancholic melodies
What does Klezmer music signify in terms of cultural identity?
It remains a powerful expression of Jewish cultural identity
True or False: Klezmer music is only performed in traditional settings today.
False
Fill in the blank: Klezmer music is now performed _______ worldwide.
[globally]
Who is known as the ‘King of Klezmer’?
Naftule Brandwein
Brandwein was a flamboyant performer and one of the first to record klezmer.
What role did Dave Tarras play in the evolution of klezmer?
Clarinetist
Tarras modernized klezmer by incorporating jazz and American popular music influences.
What unique style did Moishe Oysher bring to klezmer music?
Blended klezmer with cantorial music
He brought a theatrical and emotional style to performances.
What instrument did Joseph Moskowitz master?
Cimbalom
He brought Eastern European klezmer traditions to American audiences.
What is the significance of The Klezmorim?
Pioneers of the klezmer revival in the U.S.
They blended traditional and jazz influences.
What role does The Klezmer Conservatory Band play in klezmer music?
Preserved traditional arrangements and inspired younger musicians
Based in Boston, they were pivotal in the rediscovery of klezmer.
