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“A wedding without klezmer is like a funeral without tears.”
This Yiddish saying, mentioned in The
Book of Klezmer by Yale Strom, illustrates how deep feelings were about
this Eastern European Jewish ceremonial music.
The word “klezmer” is
derived from the Hebrew words “calai” meaning tools and “zemer” which
means song. Since its inception centuries ago it has fused with various musical
styles and its popularity has spread to many parts of the world. This pathfinder
lists major sources of information on the history and characteristics of
the genre. Product information, associations, and programs are also included.
Encyclopedias
Directories
Books & Music
Magazines
Databases
Websites
Programs & Events
Local Resources
Associations
Related Pathfinders
Broughton, Simon. “Rhythm and Jews.” World Music: The Rough Guide Vol. 2, edited by Simon Broughton
Rough Guides Ltd, 2000, p. 581-592. Note: This book is available only at the Central library, in-library use.
General overview of klezmer music.
Nidel, Richard O. "Klezmer." World Music: The Basics
Routledge, 2005, p. 299-303.
Highlights recent developments, and lists key klezmer recordings.
Directories
Ari Davidow's Klezmershack The most often cited klezmer music website. Comprehensive information on today’s klezmer world.
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To find books on klezmer music, you can “browse” the OCPL catalog for titles. Select the search option BROWSE, then choose SUBJECT and type Klezmer Music .
Browse the pages of subject headings for those that most closely match your interest. Click on headings to see titles of individual items, the branch where they are located, and their availability. “See Also” indicates headings for related and more specific topics, such as Adoptees and Special Needs Adoption.
Here are some useful Subject Headings to try:
Related subject headings are “Judaica” and “Judism.”
You can also browse individual performers of klezmer music. Select the search option BROWSE, then choose AUTHOR.
Call Numbers Books: 781.629 Recordings: Q YIDD |
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Books
The Essential Klezmer: A Music Lovers Guide to Jewish Roots and Soul Music, from the Old World to the Jazz Age to the Downtown Avant-Garde, by Seth Rogovoy
Algonguin Books of Chappell Hill, 2000
Highly readable overview. Discography.
The Book of Klezmer: The History, the Music, the Folklore from the 14th century to the 21st, by Yale Strom
A Cappella Books, 2002
Many personal accounts from Eastern Europe, from pre-WW I to the present.
“A Musician’s Death” in The I.L. Peretz Reader, by Issac Leib Peretz
Pantheon Books, 1990
Portrays the lifestyle of an old world klezmer musician.
The Old Country: The Lost World of the Eastern European Jews by Abraham Schulman
Scribner, 1974
Essay and photographs illustrate the daily life of Eastern European Jews, 1850-1900.
Audio Book
“A Musician’s Death” in The I.L. Peretz Reader, by Issac Leib Peretz
Jewish Contemporary Classics, 2001, tape 1b, selection number 3.
Musical Recordings
| OLD WORLD EUROPE PERIOD -- before 1920 Jewish Klezmer Music by Zev Feldman and Andy Statman Compact disc Shanachie, 2000 Although the original recording was in 1979, it has an old world sound. |
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| UNITED STATES IMMIGRANT PERIOD -- 1920-1945 East Side Wedding by the Klezmorim Record Arhoolie Records, 1977 Klezmer! by various artists Compact disc Yazoo, 2000 |
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| REVIVAL Period -- 1970’s and 1980’s The Magic of the Klezmer by Giora Feidman Compact disc Delos, 1985 A Touch of Klez by the Klezmer Conservatory Band Cassette Vanguard, 1985 You Should Be So Lucky by the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band Compact disc Shanachie, 1996 |
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RENAISSANCE PERIOD-- mid-1990s --
In the Fiddler’s House
by Itzhak Perlman
Compact disc
Angel, 1995
Jews with Horns
by the Klezmatics
Compact disc
Xenophile Records, 1994
Krakauer Live in Krakow
by David Krakauer
Compact disc
Label Bleu, 2003
The Well
by the Klezmatics and Chava Alberstein
Compact disc
Xenophile, 1998
Loeffler, James. "Klezmania.” New
Republic, April 6, 1998, Vol. 218 Issue 4, p. 42.
Netsky, Hankus. “An Overview of Klezmer Music and Its Development in the
U.S.” Judaism: a Quarterly Journal of Jewish Life
and Thought, Winter 1998, Vol. 47, p.5 (8 p).
Denison, Paul. “Mad Scientist of Klezmer Music.” The
Register-Guard (Eugene, Oregon), February 11, 2005, p.T3.
This article discusses the work of David Krakauer, considered one of the greatest living clarinetists. This world renowned chamber musician has become one of today’s foremost klezmer artists.
For an index to articles on klezmer music, see OCPL’s Online Databases. Here you can access magazine and journal articles, newspapers, and reference books 24 hours a day using your OCPL library card and PIN.
| For in-library use of the online databases, please see librarian. EBSCOHost Masterfile Select Use Basic Search – Subjects -- klezmer music. Select articles available in full text. |
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Gale Academic ASAP
Use Subject Guide -- klezmer music
Limit to full text.
If you do not find what you want, expand to a keyword search, and remove full text limit.
Infotrac Custom Newspapers
Use keyword -- klezmer music.
Klezmer Music Theory and Information Links. What makes klezmer klezmer?
Brief description of some distinctive elements of klezmer music theory.
Allmusic.com Detailed information on recordings and performers. Music samples.
Song search. See “Site Guide” first. Note: “klezmer” is under genre “world.”
Jewish Music and Cultural Festival
Held annually on a Sunday in June in Clinton Square, Syracuse, New York.
Westcott Street Cultural Fair
Held annually on a Sunday in mid-September in the Westcott Street business district, Syracuse, New York.
Check the Jewish Observer of Central New York newspaper for listings of local klezmer performances. Published bi-weekly, it is available at most local libraries.
KlezKamp
Held the last week in December in downstate New York. A Yiddish folk arts program for adults and children.
Klezkanada
Held annually in August in the Montreal vicinity. A festival of Yiddish/Jewish culture and arts in North America for adults and children.
| Musical Ensembles Jonathan Dinkin & Klezmercuse Phone: 315-637-4751 E-mail: Jonathan Dinkin & Klezmercuse Keyna Hora Klezmer Band Phone: 315-682-8489 (Sid Lipton) E-mail: Keyna Hora Klezmer Band ( Mimi Weiner ) Wandering Klezmorim Phone: 315-443-1894 (Ken Frieden) E-mail: Wandering Klezmorim ( Ken Frieden) |
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Other Organizations
Educational Institutions and Affiliates
Central New York institutions, including the Judaic Studies Department at Syracuse University, which teach Jewish related courses.
Hickey's Music Center Ithaca, New York.
Sheet music source. Visit in person or online.
Syracuse Jewish Federation
Provides support for Jewish service organizations and cultural programs. Publishes a monthly calendar of local Jewish related events.
Syracuse University Press
See “Jewish Studies” section. Note: Books not owned by the Onondaga County Public library are available through interlibrary loan.
Living Traditions
Dedicated to the preservation of Yiddish culture. Among its projects are KlezKamp and the Yiddish Radio Project.
Yivo Institute for Jewish Research
Pre-eminent resource for Eastern European Jewish studies.
Librarians’ Internet Index: Klezmer & Jewish
Internet Public Library: Jewish Culture Pathfinder
“Klezmer music is a music that dances, sings, expressing the joy and the mourning of life."
-The German Klezmer Page
