RE: Question on use of klezmer music

[Leonard Koenick <lkoenick...>]

Dr. Averill:

I don't mean to be presumptuous in suggesting this to a composer who is
clearly the one who places his own ideas to the music but whether klezmer
was happy, sad or in between, klezmorim were Holocaust victims the same as
all Jews and the loss of their music and creativity was a loss to all.  So
it could be possible to include even happy quotes in a somber piece as a
reminder of what was lost.

Leonard Koenick

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org
[mailto:owner-jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org]On Behalf Of Ron or Kari Averill
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 6:42 PM
To: World music from a Jewish slant
Subject: Question on use of klezmer music

Hello.  I am a composer with little knowledge of Jewish music.  I'm
currently writing a piece which will use a variety of quotes from the body
of Jewish music.  The piece is somber in tone, being a memoriam (or perhaps
"tribute" is a better word) to survivors of the Holocaust.

My question is this:  It seems that klezmer music is generally for happy
occasions, such as weddings.  Would it be inappropriate to include klezmer
music in the piece that I have described above? Or is there also perhaps
klezmer music used for somber occasions such as funerals?

Thanks in advance for any answers.


Dr. Ron Averill
ronkari (at) gte(dot)net


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