Customer Reviews

Shirim: Klezmer Nutcracker

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Great fun for anyone who loves klezmer and isn't turned off by the concept of cross-cultural arrangements of classics. Creatively arranged. Expertly performed. Highly recommended.

This is a fantastic "holiday" CD. It is amazing how they blend the two (Klezmer & Nutcracker Ballet) into one. You'll never listen to the Nutcraker Ballet again without thinking about this delightful CD.

This is one of the best gifts I received this Christmas. My mistake was listening to it for the first time driving down a CA freeway. The differences are so subtle but the effect is amazing. The titles go with the tunes in a special blend of hilarity. If you like either klezmer or the Nutcracker, GO OUT AND GET THIS CD. It's a wonderful introduction to life in two worlds.

A joyful, multidimensional, and in places humerous variation on the classic Christmas music of Tchaikovsky, this CD brings together an entertaining and festive blend of klezmer sound and classical music. In addition to the great sounds, the titles, the moods, the album graphics, and even the song names (Dance of the Latkes Queens, Waltz of the Ruggelah) are funny and artistic.

Shirim arranges classics including the Nutcracker Suite, Hungarian Rhapsody, Satie's Gymnopedie in Klezmer style. The results have the best qualities of Klezmer, a mix of humor and pathos.

This was purchased as a Christmas gift for a family member. The whole family enjoyed listening to it - what great fun. It had us laughing throughout. Who knew classical music could be so humorous?!!

For those of us who play the Nutcracker Ballet 10-20 times (or more) each year, this rendition of the Suite is the perfect gift. My viola section here in Cincinnati, Ohio always exchanges gifts and this year I gave each one of them this CD.
The non-Nutcracker selections were also perfect for the classically trained musicians.
Hope Shirim considers doing the entire ballet some time!

I purchased this recording along with the one by the same group with a narrated story added: "The Golden Dreydl" with Ellen Kushner. The music is delightful to listen to by itself and is a fun adaptation of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker into the klezmer style. The other cd has the addition of the lovely story by Ellen Kushner and is enjoyable on another level altogether. Both are wonderful, fun recordings.

I bought this to add to my collection of off-the-wall Christmas music, and was not disappointed. The bonus tracks are fun, but not all "Christmas" songs, so selective playing may be the rule for purists. The bonus tracks include several selections by Erik Satie.

Anyone who likes this CD will also enjoy "Oy To The World" by the Klezmonauts, which is all Christmas music.

Another CD that might be of interest if you like Erik Satie is "Sketches of Satie" by Steve and John Hackett (Steve Hackett played guitar with the band Genesis many moons ago). They do flute and guitar arrangements of some of Satie's stuff, and it comes off quite well.

Not bad for something different in holiday listening. Thought it
might be more fun, but a couple selections were good, but the
rest not as entertaining as those. Another group had a good
album a year earlier, but I forgot who they were. Same title,
but preferable.