History of Klezmer Music
In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, there was a wave of Jewish immigration from Russia and Poland to New York’s Lower East Side.
The Jews brought their music with them, which they played at Jewish weddings and other celebrations of New York City. Like most immigrant groups at that time, the new Americans wanted to assimilate rather than keep up the old traditions. Jewish music mixed with popular music of the 1920's, 30's and 40's, such as Dixieland and Big Band Swing. Unfortunately the music as it was played in Europe all but died out.
In the 1970’s there was a revival of this European Jewish music. What had simply been known as "Jewish music" was now called “klezmer” after the traveling musicians called klezmorim. The word is a Yiddish term combining two Hebrew words: "Kley," meaning instrument, and "zemer," meaning "song." The American musicians and scholars of the revival connected with European-born musicians like Naftule Brandwein and Dave Tarras. They established workshops to help others learn and develop the music and its special ornamentations.
Like the United States itself, Klezmer music has become a true musical melting pot. Modern bands mix all kinds of influences with the traditional sound of the old country. In the laughing and weeping notes of Klezmer, you can experience a musical bridge connecting the past to the present.
There are many books, articles and videos on the history and development of this wonderful music. Below are some links to helpful resources. These link to sites maintained by others.
The Jews brought their music with them, which they played at Jewish weddings and other celebrations of New York City. Like most immigrant groups at that time, the new Americans wanted to assimilate rather than keep up the old traditions. Jewish music mixed with popular music of the 1920's, 30's and 40's, such as Dixieland and Big Band Swing. Unfortunately the music as it was played in Europe all but died out.
In the 1970’s there was a revival of this European Jewish music. What had simply been known as "Jewish music" was now called “klezmer” after the traveling musicians called klezmorim. The word is a Yiddish term combining two Hebrew words: "Kley," meaning instrument, and "zemer," meaning "song." The American musicians and scholars of the revival connected with European-born musicians like Naftule Brandwein and Dave Tarras. They established workshops to help others learn and develop the music and its special ornamentations.
Like the United States itself, Klezmer music has become a true musical melting pot. Modern bands mix all kinds of influences with the traditional sound of the old country. In the laughing and weeping notes of Klezmer, you can experience a musical bridge connecting the past to the present.
There are many books, articles and videos on the history and development of this wonderful music. Below are some links to helpful resources. These link to sites maintained by others.
Videos for Kids
- Las-Lah's Big Live Band: Ankle Bells and Klezmer Music, The Las-Lah's make an instrument and play klezmer.
- Musical Explorers at Home: Klezmer, with Becca's Music Room, Becca introduces klezmer and teaches the Yiddish song "Bulbes."
Books
(For Kids)
(For Adults)
- The Wedding That Saved a Town, by Yale Strom
- Kugel Valley Klezmer Band, Joan Betty Stuchner
(For Adults)
- The Essential Klezmer, by Seth Rogovoy
- The Book of Klezmer, The History, The Music, The Folklore, by Yale Strom
- Fiddler on the Move, Exploring the Klezmer World, by Mark Slobin
- Klezmer! Jewish Music from Old World to Our World, by Harry Sapoznik
- New York Klezmer in the Early Twentieth Century, by Joel E. Rubin
Articles to read online
(For Kids)
(For Adults)
- Klezmer Music, Britannica Kids
(For Adults)
- Klezmer Music (with recordings), by Marsha Edelman
- Kevin Linscott, of Klezmorim, on Klezmer
- A Brief Primer on Punk Klezmer, by Tzvi Gluckin
The Sounds of Klezmer Music
Below are some concise videos of Master Fiddler, Alicia Svigals, demonstrating some of the special sounds, or "ornamentations," that are unique to klezmer music.
Examples of First-Generation American Klezmer
- Naftule Brandwein, clarinet, 1937 recording
- Dave Tarras, clarinet, 1941 recording
1930's - Klezmer goes mainstream
Below shows the evolution of a Jewish song as it moved from a first-generation audience into popular mainstream music.
Abe Schwartz and his Yiddish Orchestra recorded "Der Shtiller Bulgar" in 1918. You can hear the first-generation sound with the original Klezmer ornamentation in the clarinet.
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This Jewish standard was later recorded by Ziggy Elman as "Fralich in Swing," The underlying melody is intact, and sometimes you can hear the trumpet sliding, klezmer-style, between notes.
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The tune was given lyrics by Johnny Mercer, and recorded by Benny Goodman as "When the Angels Sing." It became a hit song in 1939, sung by Martha Tilton.
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Another example of a song from the Jewish repertoire going mainstream. "Bei Mir Bistu Shein," had been written for a Yiddish operetta in 1932 by Jacob Jacobs and Shalom Secunda. Lyricist, Sammy Cahn, and composer, Saul Chaplin, bought the rights, translated the song into English, and recorded "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon" in 1937.
It became an instant hit, and is probably the most well-known Yiddish song ever recorded. It also kicked off the rise of Jewish swing music in the 1940's. In this Story Corps recording, you can hear Claire Barry, of the famous Barry Sisters, tell the story of the radio show, "Yiddish Melodies in Swing." |