Violinist

The mass influx of Eastern European Jewish immigrants to America from 1880-1920 created a new market for the burgeoning US recording industry. Catered specifically to the newly arrived immigrants, recordings of traditional Yiddish instrumental and vocal music satiated the nostalgia of the old world and reaffirmed cultural traditions. Jewish bandleaders organized Jewish Orchestras, that resembled the Jewish kapelyes (ensembles) that performed for weddings and Jewish cultural events in Eastern Europe, to record music from der alter heym (the old country). The Jewish Orchestras consisted of working American Jewish musicians, recent immigrants, and virtuoso soloists. The recording of traditional Jewish instrumental music was not strictly an American phenomenon. Recording companies in Eastern Europe (Syrena Rekord Company) had also featured Jewish orchestras and smaller Jewish folk and chamber ensembles as early as the advent of recorded music. A great majority of these European and American recordings, originally produced on 78 rpm shellac and vinyl records have survived to this day and have been reissued and digitized for klezmer music collections and anthologies.

EPSG:4326

Klezmer Music Ensemble: Jewish Orchestras

Maltz Performing Arts Center

The orchestra is joined by guest violinist Steven Greenman, a soulful and virtuosic performer of Klezmer and Eastern European folk music. The program will be a mixture of Greenman’s own compositions, as well as compositions by Brahms, Enesco, and David Rubinoff.  An added highlight is music from John Williams’ adaptation for the movie version of Fiddler on the Roof, which earned him his first Oscar. 

Steven Greenman

Violinist

Events

Past events

Apr 25, 2024

Klezmer Music Ensemble: Jewish Orchestras · Case Western Reserve University Department of Music

Apr 13, 2024

Violin Virtuosity · Firelands Symphony Orchestra

About

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