Khevrisa: European Klezmer Music

Steven Greenman (Artist), Zev Feldman (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 25, 2000)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B00004RJX3
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,994 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #41 in Music > Folk > Jewish & Yiddish Music
  • #56 in Music > World Music > Middle East > Israel
  • #57 in Music > Indie Music > Classical

Editorial Reviews

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 it 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. "[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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEAUTIFUL KLEZMER FIDDL E & HAMMER DULCIMER MUSIC, August 30, 2000

By 

Shlomo Pestcoe - See all my reviews

This review is from: Khevrisa: European Klezmer Music (Audio CD)

Nowadays, when we think of klezmer-- the traditional instrumental music of the Ashkenazim (Yiddish-speaking Central and Eastern European Jewry)-- the main instrument that comes to mind is the clarinet. When we listen to the classic klezmer 78 rpm recordings from the first half of the 20th century, it's the wailing clarinet that stands out and leads the rest of the kapelye (klezmer ensemble). And it's the recorded legacy of the great early clarinetists-- Dave Tarras, Naftule Brandwein and Shloimke Beckerman, to name but a few-- that serves as the primary source and reference for most of today's klezmer musicians.

Yet, in recent years, there's has been a resurgence of interest in the older forms of klezmer, which were centered around the fidl(violin) and the tsmibl (hammer dulcimer). Beginning in the 1600s, up until the ascendency of the clarinet and military brass band instruments sometime in the late 19th century, the typical kaplye consisted of fidl, backed by a tsmibl and bowed bass or cello, occasionally augmented by a wooden transverse flute. If there were several fiddlers, the "ershter" (first violin) would play lead while the "tsveyter" (second violin) harmonizes in the lower register or plays a "secunda" rhythmic chordal accompaniment (standard practice in all forms of traditional fiddle music, regardless of ethnicity and region).

This album's title KHEVRISA is a Yiddish term which usually refers to a talmudic study group. Back in the Old World, klezmorim adopted it into their slang as another reference for a music group. In this case, both definitions are very appropriate: the chevrei (group members), led by the pioneering scholarship of Walter Zev Feldman, have pooled their own personal, extensive research into early klezmer traditions and their exceptional musical abilities to do this project. The result is a wonderful album of incredibly beautiful music-- unique, as the only modern klezmer recording to date that's devoted exclusively to traditional stringed instruments. It's supported by one of the best CD booklets I've ever encountered. Zev, one of the foremost authorities on Near Eastern, Balkan and klezmer music, has outdone himself on the amazingly comprehensive liner notes.

KHEVRISA's line-up reads like a "Who's Who" of the current klezmer revival's leading musician: Steven Greenman (ershter fidl), who was lead fiddler for BUDOWITZ, another excellent modern group devoted to 19th century klezmer music; Walter Zev Feldman (tsmibl), one of the pioneers of the klezmer revival; Alicia Svigals (tsveyter fidl), fiddler for the KLEZMATICS, one of today's hottest bands; Michael Alpert (sekunda fidl), fiddler/vocalist for BRAVE OLD WORLD, who studied with Leon Schwartz (1901-1990), one of the last tradition-bearers of the old European klezmer fiddle tradition; and Stuart Brotman (bass), who plays bass and tsimbl for BRAVE OLD WORLD, a world-class group that performs both traditional and modern klezmer music.

One note: those expecting the typical "tumeldik" (rowdy) freilachs may be disappointed -- the approach here is more chamber orchestra than dance band. Violinist Steve Greenman, while a "serious performer of Hungarian Nota, Romanian Gypsy, and Slovak music" in addition to klezmer, comes from a classical music background. This is very apparent in his very tight, smooth-like-glass performance style. Actually, Steve's classical sound has more in common with the conservatory-trained Eastern European "folk" violinists of today, than with the traditional fiddlers of the past that he's attempting to emulate. Even still, his use of "krechts" (lit. "cries") and other traditional melodic ornamentation is spot-on, while, overall, the group's thoughtful musical arrangements convey a "ma'mahsh Yiddishe tam" (genuine Jewish flavor).

Taking all this into consideration, I heartily recommend this CD as one of the finest albums to come out of the klezmer revival.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece, September 20, 2009

By 

Timothy R. Smith (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Khevrisa: European Klezmer Music (Audio CD)

I am in agreement with the other favorable reviewers that preceeded this one. This is quite unlike any other klezmer recording: formal, precise, yet intensely spirited and soulful. I listened to it several times before developing a fuller appreciation of what the virtuoso performers were really doing here. Now, it has become an incredible experience with each time I listen to it. Anyone who enjoys klezmer should definitely try this album. I think you will love it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Deal, January 12, 2007

By 

Ernesto (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Khevrisa: European Klezmer Music (Audio CD)

An absolutely gorgeous recording from some world class musician/scholars. This is a must-have for any music collection, especially East European or klezmer. The booklet is superb as well - complete with a fine glossary of terms pertaining to klezmer.