Re: Last response from Lori on this subject

[apikoyros <apikoyros...>]

Lori,
I don't know you. If you're the person I
think you are (not some other Lori), you've 
been playing Jewish music, not necessarily 
klezmer for a long time, and I respect that
('cause the big bucks weren't always there).

I don't care how big the bucks are now that 
you're getting paid with. We all know what 
to call someone who takes money for services 
rendered: a professional. If that professional 
aspires to artistry or, as in the case of some
Jewish music, a spiritual dimension, the activity
has to get beyond the money and the technical
virtuosity to the purpose and meaning of the
activity. None of these three aspects is trivial, 
as anyone who has practiced will attest. 

Klezmer music in Germany partakes of
the first two aspects, certainly. Even the
third is achievable, and, arguably, Jewish
artists performing to German audiences
might be able to convey some spirituality
(if there is any in their performances).
German musicians can convey their
feelings and spirituality as well in the
other kinds of music they play, but in 
the context of klezmer music? All it
can/does convey is inauthenticity at best,
inaccuracy (even if all the notes and
tunes are right), and, finally, intrusion
where such intrusion has the history
of the Holocaust as visible baggage.

I am not faulting anyone specifically, just 
asking for the sensitivity that, as much as 
it has been attempted, has not been sufficient.
And sensitivity is NOT to much to ask of those
who have artistic pretensions. 

I don't know Aufwind either but I've
heard "character references" I respect 
so I'm reasonably sure that it was not 
their intent, but if you attempt to describe 
an Aufwind with a hand gesture, you get a
Nazi salute. Could it be an "in" joke, 
coincidence, a Nike endorsement, who knows?
But if they want to play Jewish music, the 
coincidence is grotesque. Music macht frei 
und Schweigen ist Tod, indeed! Jewish 
musicians aren't immune from unfortunate 
coincidences either. 

Watch your symbols carefully, see how they 
play. Isn't that what's being sold, after all. 
I try to be careful about what I buy.
Lee

On Tue, 29 Feb 2000 23:45:07 EST MaxwellSt (at) aol(dot)com writes:
> Dear Lee,
> 
> Thank you for expressing yourself in a civil tone.  
> 
> << I'm glad you can separate the music you play from the "Memories 
> of the 
> Fallen."
> I would think that that particular kind of music would evoke exactly 
> such 
> memories,
> however. >>
> 
> That is certainly a misunderstanding.  I cannot separate it--it is 
> the 
> essence not only of my music, but of my life.  I don't eat meat, I 
> don't wear 
> leather because the cruelty of the holocaust so permeated my 
> consciousness 
> from an early age that I live aware of an undertow of horror in the 
> world, 
> and I play this music because it helps me revive the mystical soul 
> of my 
> people when the body cannot be revived.  What I meant was that it is 
> 
> difficult to discuss music when one's respect for the dead (in this 
> case, the 
> respect that the German musicians hold) is being questioned, sort of 
> in the 
> way that patriotism is questioned in front of the House UnAmerican 
> Activities 
> Committee.  It was getting a little stifling in there.
> 
> << I don't think the technical virtuosity of your band's 
> musicianship or the 
> unique clarinetor violin solos, whatever, are the reasons why you're 
> getting 
> paid the big bucks (in Deutschmarks). >>
> 
> Let's correct a misapprehension--we are not getting paid big bucks.  
> I would 
> be happy to get into those details off group if you like.  My 
> comment was 
> meant to point out that, not only are Germans paying lip service to 
> the 
> revival of klezmer, they are separating from their tax dollars to 
> support it. 
>  Now try to get Congress to do the same.  We are busy burying our 
> NEA, and 
> the Germans are spending tax dollars to bring in klezmer bands from 
> America.  
> Catch you not the irony?
> 
> << Now, I know a lot of Jewish performers whom I respect do tour 
> Germany and 
> other relatively Judenrein parts of Europe. I can't begrudge someone 
> 
> parnosse, 
> whether it's earned at simkhas or in the concert halls, but I think 
> the 
> specific 
> ethnic character of the music we're talking about is essential to 
> it, whereas 
> Shostakovich or Prokofiev or even Bloch could be said just to be 
> basing their 
> music on Jewish themes. >>
> 
> I find it very comforting and touching to be invited to perform 
> Jewish music 
> in the lands in which it was eradicated and where my presence a 
> half-century 
> ago would have been the cause of my death.  It gives me hope in the 
> evolution 
> of good and the recovery, I hope, of people from the demonic.
> 
> Thanks for your thoughts.
> 
> Lori

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