Re: Giora Feidman

[cunis <cunis...>]

....only a few days, that I haven't looked at the a.m.j. folder 
and obviously I did miss some entry about Giora Feidman, which
probably would have been interesting...?

To those  who critisize him for his rather smooth and cool style,
I too would like to mention the following:
As far as I understand, he especially wants to bring klezmer music 
back to Central Europe and particularly to Germany. I think that's 
great, and he should be praised for his effort. Audiences around here 
often are sort of strange, smooth, and cool themselves. They prefer 
things a bit more reserved and highbrow. And when it comes to Jewish
music, most people probably exspect something more quiet and a bit 
mournful. Most of them probably would not exspect something as 
exuberant, lively, and simply overflowing with energy and joy as e.g. 
those old freylekhs and bulgars by Brandwein or Tarras.
There isn't much klezmer music around here. But at least Giora 
Feidman can be heard every now and then on the radio, in concerts, 
and on tv!

I only recently came across a compilation cd of klezmer music from 
1907 to 1939. There are 18 tracks on it, of which there are 6 by 
Naftule Brandwein and 1 by Dave Tarras. And I must say, this stuff is 
really contageuos! I always did enjoy listening to klezmer music, but 
these freyleks and bulgars now even prompted me to start playing the 
clarinet myself. 
(By the way,...does anybody out there perhaps know a klezmer 
clarinettist in the Tarras and Brandwein tradition, living in the 
Hamburg area, with whom I might take some lessons? If so, please let 
me know by e-mail. Of course I'm also looking for more recordings and 
written music as well.)

So, I now probably have found 'the real thing' and am 'hopelessly in 
the grips of it'. But nevertheless, should I have a chance to go a 
klezmer workshop by Giora Feidman, you bet, I gladly will attend too!!!

Greetings! 
Cuni