Chicago Performance of Klezmer Rhapsody

[MaxwellSt <MaxwellSt...>]

Classical-Klezmer Creation Debuts at Orchestra Hall
    Before and since ?Fiddler On The Roof,? various composers have tried 
their hand at interpreting the Russian-Jewish folk idiom called ?klezmer? 
through the medium of classical music.  Klezmer has experienced a renaissance 
in recent years throughout the world, spawning bands and experimentalism 
throughout the U.S. in Europe, but relatively few forays into the symphonic 
realm.
    Chicago expatriot Russian composer Ilya Levensohn has offered his 
contribution to the klezmer-meets-classical genre with a composition he calls 
?Klezmer Rhapsody.?  Reminiscent of Gershwin?s Rhapsody in Blue and 
Prokofiev?s Overture on Hebrew Themes, the one-movement, twenty-two minute 
Rhapsody dances through klezmer rhythms:  the limping Rumanian Horra, the 
heavy-footed Chosidl (Chassidic dance), and the sprightly Freilech (lively 
circle dance) morph into
one another in passages that tip a large hat to Shostakovich.  
    Levinsohn?s Rhapsody was given its debut performance last year at the 
Chicago Cultural Center by the Lincolnwood Chamber Orchestra under the baton 
of Philip Simmons.  The work features violin in a role which demands both 
pure classical technique and glib fiddling in the gypsy style.  Levinsohn 
found such a fiddler in Alex Koffman, who, although better known as a klezmer 
violinist, honed his skills at the Minsk Conservatory of Music before his 
immigration in 1989.  The composer dedicated his work to Mr. Koffman and 
invited his collaboration on the work.
    At 6:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 3, the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band will 
debut a special band arrangement of the Klezmer Rhapsody at Symphony Center?s 
Day of Music.  Like its debut, this performance will be conducted by Mr. 
Simmons, who, in addition to being the Director of the Lincolnwood Chamber 
Orchestra, is also the Artistic Director of American Music Festivals and 
Music Director of the Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra.  Simmons has a penchant 
for Russian music:  he has
done musical tours of the former Soviet Union ten times, most recently as 
guest conductor of the Russian State Symphony Orchestra in a Fourth of July 
celebration in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory.  
    This and all performances at Symphony Center?s twenty-four hour 
multi-stage musical extravaganza are free and open to the public.

Contact: Lori Lippitz                                   9/9/99
Klezmer Music Foundation  (847) 675-4800

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