Track Listing

1. Dem Rebens Tanz [The Rabbi's Dance] - Art Shryer
2. Zapfenstreich Jewish Phantasy [Revery Dream] - Art Shryer
3. Fon Der Choope [From the Wedding]
4. Heimisher Bulgar [A Homey Bulgar] - Sam Musiker
5. Ma Yofus [How Beautiful Is the Light of the Ea]
6. Grichisher Tantz [Greek Dances] - Mishka Tsiganoff
7. Ai Raci Ku Ne Draci [Liebes Tanz] - Orchestra Romaneasca
8. Dreidele Far Alle (Freilachs) [A Dance for Everyone] - Abe Schwartz's Orchestra
9. Kalle Bezetzns un a Freilachs [The Bridal Serenade and Congratultions] - Joseph Cherniavsky
10. Die Chasidim Forren Tsum Rebbin [The Chasidim Visit the Rabbi] - Kandel's Orchestra
11. Doina un Sirba - Mihal Viteazul
12. Ein Kik Af Dir [Foxtrot] - Alexander Olshanetsky
13. Tantz-A-Freilachs [Dance a Freilachs] - Abe Schwartz's Orchestra
14. Orientalishe Motive II - Joseph Solinski
15. Laibedika Honga [A Lively Honga] - Kandel's Orchestra
16. Odessa [Bulgar] - Mishka Ziganoff
17. Der Heisser [Tarter Dance]
18. Bessarabier Chosid'l [The Hassid from Bessarabia]
19. Doina - Joseph Moskowitz
20. Bessarabian Hora - Belf's Rumanian Orchestra
21. Mit Der Kalle Tanzen [Dancing with the Bride]
22. Dem Trisker Rebbin's Chosid [The Disciple of the Rabbi from Trisk] - Dave Tarras
23. Erinerung Fun Kishenev [Memories of Kishenev] - Abe Katzman Bessarabian Orchestra
24. Der Fetter Max's Bulgar [Uncle Max's Bulgar] - Sam Musiker

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #231567 in Music
• Released on: 1996-09-29
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
This is the first modern studio recording of the klezmer music of Europe, performed with the original European instrumentation - first violin, cimbal (hammer dulcimer), sekund (contra-fiddle), and bass. Half of these compositions were recorded here for the first time. This CD features haunting instrumentals by the great klezmer composers of the 19th century, such as Mikhl Guzikow and Avram Moyshe Kholodenko. The Khevrisa ensemble is led by Steven Greenman (violin) and Zev Feldman (cimbal ), and includes some of the finest musicians of the contemporary klezmer revival - Alicia Svigals (sekund), Michael Alpert (sekund), and Stuart Brotman (bass). 36-page booklet contains extensive notes, bibliography, glossary. 70 minutes. "…It (Khevrisa: European Klezmer Music) is an essential album if one wants to understand where klezmer music comes from." -Jewish Herald Voice, Jewish Jukebox" "…The passion of Khevrisa shines through in impassioned playing that illuminates an otherwise underlit piece of the past." -Sonicnet.com

Amazon.com
Spirit triumphs handily over fidelity on this generous, informatively annotated package. And with a klezmer revival in full swing, it's fascinating to return as near as possible to its source to listen to what the Eastern European klezmorim thought the Yiddish community ought to hear on the first 78s full of this vital and joyous music. What first hits you are the unexpectedly sophisticated arrangements of the several klezmer orchestras represented here. The ensembles looked to American ragtime, jazz, and even military marches for inspiration after crossing the ocean. Vaudeville provided an excuse to add exotic theatrical elements to klezmer, while clarinets (played by virtuosos Dave Tarras and Naftule Brandwein, among others) gradually replaced fiddles with the advent of the swing era. Treading a fascinating balance between folk music and jazz, this vintage music seems to thrive in a world all its own. --Richard Gehr

Customer Reviews

My introduction to klezmer
My dad brought this home one day from a music festival (in cassette tape form) to see if I'd like it, since we both liked East European folk. It was amazing! I went out and got all the klezmer I could. This is original early 20th century stuff, with packed liner notes. It has all the energy of ska with the joy and sadness and humor of Eastern Europe and Ashkenazi Jews. It's beautiful. I've found very few collections that are as good overall as this one.

Not for beginners�
I bought this CD at a jewish music festival in London. It's something of a collector's piece; interesting if you are fairly familier with the genre, but possibly a little obscure and repetitive for 'novices'. It's compiled from old recordings and has a nice authentic and scratchy feel. It's particularly interesting to compare treatments of certain songs with those on other early klezmer CDs. These men could really play.

Not for beginners�
I bought this CD at a jewish music festival in London. It's something of a collector's piece; interesting if you are fairly familier with the genre, but possibly a little obscure and repetitive for 'novices'. It's compiled from old recordings and has a nice authentic and scratchy feel. It's particularly interesting to compare treatments of certain songs with those on other early klezmer CDs. These men could really play.