Re: defining klezmer

[Huppert23 <Huppert23...>]

In a message dated 2/21/00 3:49:20 AM, Khupenikes (at) aol(dot)com writes:

<< Wouldn?t it then be better to refer to the music as "klezmer music" rather 

than simply "klezmer", considering the Yiddish meaning of the term?

Or is there even a Yiddish word to describe the music? Since we call 

cantorial singing "khazones" and not "khazan", and the singing/rhyming of the 

badkhen "badkhones" and not "badkhen", it seems strange to name the 

instrumental music just "klezmer", or even "klez"... >>

Good point, I think. Of course, being lazy Americans, we will always shorten 
eveything, especially when typing e-mail. I once knew a German guy living in 
America who was shocked when people referred to the great Stradivarius as 
'Strad." The "klez" thing always bothers me but I can't really say why.

We are also getting into the difference between the English and the Yiddish 
meanings of the word "klezmer." In English, the primary meaning describes a 
style of music. In Yiddish, the primary meaning describes a person. I think (o
thers on this list will probably know better) that the word has also been 
used in Yiddish to describe the style, probably in a phrase such as "klezmer 
music." I believe that Beregovsky used it that way.

In modern times, according to rumor, Zev Feldman started using the phrase 
"klezmer music" to describe Yiddish instrumental folk music. Well, you have 
to call it something, and "Yiddish instrumental folk music" is a little long.

Josh

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