Re: why Jews became fiddlers

[Paul M. Gifford <PGIFFORD...>]

The Bassanos, crypto-Jews from Venice, are credited with introducing 
the violin to England in 1541.  I can't recall the name of the author
who credits them, but apparently they found work at Henry VIII's 
court.  Because of the King's political views towards Rome, they were 
allowed to stay.  In eastern Galicia, there were Italian musicians in
the early 17th century who probably played it, while Wendish 
minstrels there played the husla, or Byzantine-derived fiddle.  Jews
there must have picked it up from the Italians.  By 1650 in Prague 
they had adopted the Italian style of two violins and bass (with 
cimbal as continuo).  They took to it because it was popular, but not
yet accepted at court.  They were mostly barred from service at 
court, but they could still play a popular instrument.

Paul Gifford