Klezmer

I

Introduction

Klezmer, music of Jewish communities in Germany and eastern Europe. The term klezmer originally referred to a musician who played at Jewish weddings and other festive events. It is derived from the Hebrew klei zemer meaning “vessels of song.” Today, klezmer generally refers to a musical style that Jewish emigrants brought to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Since the late 1970s klezmer has enjoyed a considerable revival.

II

Characteristics of Klezmer

Most klezmer bands consist of at least three musicians. Early klezmer musicians primarily played stringed instruments, such as the violin, double bass, or cimbalom (a type of dulcimer). Brass and wind instruments were later added, and the clarinet assumed a particularly significant role. Melody and rhythm play a greater role than harmony in klezmer. Melodies are often in a minor key or use the modes (musical scales) of Jewish religious music. The melodic ornamentation often evokes the characteristic vocal techniques used by Jewish cantors (chief singers in synagogues).

III

History of Klezmer

Records show that itinerant, professional Jewish musicians performed in central and eastern Europe at least as early as the Middle Ages. These musicians played both specifically Jewish music and the music of other peoples who lived nearby. Music-making was largely a hereditary profession. Even though music was an important part of Jewish weddings and other celebrations, klezmer musicians occupied a low status in society.

Klezmer musicians moved to America during the large Jewish immigrations from 1881 to 1924. In America musicians adapted the style of their music to suit their audiences. For example, the upbeat rhythmic style known as bulgar became more popular than older European dance styles, and by the 1930s musicians were combining klezmer music with American swing. Klezmer fell from popularity during the mid-20th century. The Holocaust ended the European klezmer tradition, and in America the Jewish population became increasingly assimilated, choosing modern American music or Israeli music over klezmer for weddings and celebrations.

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Since the late 1970s onwards klezmer has enjoyed a revival in popularity in the United States, Europe, Israel, and elsewhere. The early revivalists based their music on recordings and transcriptions of pre-World War II klezmer music and on studies with surviving klezmer musicians. Klezmer bands have taken different approaches to this material. Some have sought to recreate authentic klezmer of a certain historical period or geographical area; others have fused klezmer with other popular musical styles from jazz to rock and hip-hop. Many klezmer bands include songs in the Yiddish language along with accompaniment by klezmer instruments.

From a few bands, this revival has grown to an international network of bands, both amateur and professional. For some musicians, the klezmer revival is a way to connect to their own European Jewish roots. For others, klezmer holds purely musical appeal. Many non-Jewish musicians now play klezmer music; it is particularly popular in Germany.

See also Jewish Music.

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