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Thursday May 12, 2011
7:00PM - 8:30PM
Ko-opting Klezmer - a talk with music
Category :: Lecture
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A talk with musical examples by Josh Horowitz and Veretski Pass
Although klezmer music developed from the 16th to the 19th centuries primarily as wedding music, it has long served agendas other than the life cycle celebration. Secular Jews in the Iasi Yiddish Theatre in Romania used klezmer music in the 1870s to galvanize a Yiddish identity, while klezmer musicians in America in the early 20th century sought to “jazz it up” to integrate their music into the popular music landscape. Since its revival in America in the 1970s, klezmer music has been used to bolster Jewish secular identity; at the same time, the inclusion of religious prayers in the repertoire has signaled a growing trend to spiritualize it.
In post-Holocaust Europe, non-Jews have also made use of klezmer music. In Germany, Jewish music is used as a symbol of rebellion, a stand-in for indigenous folk music that had become ideologically tainted by nationalism. In Poland, klezmer has been co-opted to create a new image of the country, rooted in the destroyed past, yet looking to the future.
Veteran performer and scholar Josh Horowitz will offer his overview of these developments, along with musical illustrations.
Josh Horowitz is the director of the ensemble Budowitz and co-founder of Veretski Pass. He performs on cimbalom, nineteenth century button accordion, and piano. Josh has received many international awards for his work, including the Prize of Honor for orchestral composition by the Austrian government. He has been featured in three films and a popular German TV series; his books include The Ultimate Klezmer and The Sephardic Songbook.
Although klezmer music developed from the 16th to the 19th centuries primarily as wedding music, it has long served agendas other than the life cycle celebration. Secular Jews in the Iasi Yiddish Theatre in Romania used klezmer music in the 1870s to galvanize a Yiddish identity, while klezmer musicians in America in the early 20th century sought to “jazz it up” to integrate their music into the popular music landscape. Since its revival in America in the 1970s, klezmer music has been used to bolster Jewish secular identity; at the same time, the inclusion of religious prayers in the repertoire has signaled a growing trend to spiritualize it.
In post-Holocaust Europe, non-Jews have also made use of klezmer music. In Germany, Jewish music is used as a symbol of rebellion, a stand-in for indigenous folk music that had become ideologically tainted by nationalism. In Poland, klezmer has been co-opted to create a new image of the country, rooted in the destroyed past, yet looking to the future.
Veteran performer and scholar Josh Horowitz will offer his overview of these developments, along with musical illustrations.
Josh Horowitz is the director of the ensemble Budowitz and co-founder of Veretski Pass. He performs on cimbalom, nineteenth century button accordion, and piano. Josh has received many international awards for his work, including the Prize of Honor for orchestral composition by the Austrian government. He has been featured in three films and a popular German TV series; his books include The Ultimate Klezmer and The Sephardic Songbook.
For More Information:
Location/Venue:
Jewish Community Library
Address:
1835 Ellis Street
City:
san Francisco
Zip/Postal:
94115
Contact Name:
Allison
Phone:
415-567-3327 ext 703
Email:
Web:
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