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Klezmer

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Genre

Klezmer · The klezmorim, Jewish professional musicians, already had a guild of their own in Prague in the sixteenth century and later played throughout Eastern Europe. Their most important work was the Jewish wedding, which lasted for days: music for the processions, to listen to at the table and to dance to. Violin, clarinet, brass and the hammered dulcimer tsimbl played a repertoire with roots in synagogue chant, the Baroque and Ottoman music. Emigrants such as Naftule Brandwein and Dave Tarras took it with them to New York.

Listening

Listening tip. In this recording from 1923, Naftule Brandwein plays clarinet in the orchestra of Abe Schwartz. Notice how he ornaments the melody with trills, slides and little sobs.

See also

Categories: Genres