Re: Klez Kamp, Some reflections from a first timer.

[Alex J. Lubet <lubet001...>]

Are any of these papers available?  If so, how?

Thanks,



allen watsky wrote:

> Just a word from me on Klez Camp.   I participated in J. Horowitz's
> Modal Class,  one of M. Wex's lectures (Yiddish for musicians) one of
> S. Greenman's fiddle classes and M. Rubin's ensemble.   I can't say
> enough about Josh or the two major papers he presented. The accordion
> paper which he recently published clarifies the role of Chromatic
> Button Accordion and Piano Accordion in the Klezmer style. The Modal
> paper which formed the basis for the class is very important. I am
> unaware of any work that had been done prior to Josh's paper that
> treats the subject of these modes in this way. The delineation of the
> sub tonic notes as a part of the mode and the "harmonic" implications;
> its great work and transcends even Idelson's at least from the point
> of view of theory. A nitch within a nitch , it might be said but, it
> was a big wow for me. A gift from Josh to all.    In the context of
> Josh's Modal work , Frank London and I got together on the last
> evening and were involving ourselves with the fusion of the Fragish
> Shtayger and ritual African Drum beats using segund violin . By
> extracting motivic cells and transposing them chromatically we were
> able while still maintaining modal integrity to make some very
> interesting music. The seed of an Idea. But modal at heart, and in the
> key of D and "beyond". Possibly the first use of "nisht geshtoygen,
> nisht gerfloygen"  in a "song" lyric ?    Wex's series of lectures was
> said to be on the topic of "Yiddish for Musicians" and I do believe it
> was. Those of you who attended remember his recontextualization of the
> Yiddish phrase "nisht geshtoygen, nisht gerfloygen". His talks were
> interesting , informative, galvanizing and resonant to a very high
> degree and I must say, "Wex 'aint just funny". I asked if the material
> presented was to be published soon and the answer was ,"yes" by St.
> Martins Press,  look for it. So, this is a ringing endorsement from
> me, Mr. Nishtikeit. (look who thinks "he's" nothing)    Steve Greenman
> is "der mench" his class was excellent, the playing level of the
> participants was high (excepting my self of course as, IAN. see
> paragraph above) his choice of musical examples and demonstration of
> them was excellent. I will be working on the material for weeks if not
> decades. Very helpful. A pleasure to see so much fiddle talent in the
> same room, what a great bunch of people.As I say to my clients " when
> something is done right, in the end there's nothing left to say", so
> it was with Steve and the class.     Mark Rubin's ensemble was a
> blast. He's an experienced band leader, has just loads of information
> on the Klez style and is fun to work with. Very good ensemble
> direction. Lots of music, lots of fun. Our groups theme was in fact
> "recontextualization", though that may have not been immediately
> apparent to the outside listener , we had been Wexified. Marks a live
> wire and I am happy to say that we share an interest in the Stringed
> Instrument trade, the fellow knows instruments and can play a bunch of
> 'em. Hail Fellow ! Well Met !    I was great to have the input of all
> the highly experienced musicians who were on staff. I was very happy
> to hear that they felt as I do that often musicians "push" the tempos
> to suite themselves and not the dancers. I had observed long ago that
> good social dancing happens at slower tempos as it allows the dancers
> to subdivide the beat. The folks had lots to be happy about this year.
> Good tempos, great energy. I personally love to dance though as a
> musician I have had little opportunity, I was always providing the
> music. This time, at least for a while on the last evening, I danced,
> I had a great time, dancing to Sy Kushner's Hassidic Band.     I don't
> want to forget to mention Arkady Gendler and his song collection. The
> Yiddish songs on his CD "My Hometown Soroke" are very musical and I
> love the fact that its "all" accordion and voice. I find great comfort
> in the music of the Yiddish speaking working class, that music and the
> fact that the liner notes contain the English translation, the
> transliteration of the Yiddish  and the  Written Yiddish is fabulous.
> What a nice man.    Pete Rushefsky and Mr. Jankowski the Tsimble
> maker. What can I say ? A pleasure.     My last thought is of the Klez
> Kids and the wonderful work the staff did with the children, it was
> literally heart warming to see their presentation and to see how their
> talents were being nurtured. Really wonderful.     So thanks again to
> all the Living Traditions staffers who made this event the success it
> was. The Hilton staff was great the accommodations were very good, I
> began calling my room the "Pod" ,my life support system all the
> necessities provided and the food was OK ,good even(though they did
> run out of coffee once), no problems. Life should be so simple at
> home. Vacations over back to work. Didn't catch "the cold" till I got
> home. A good secular new year to all  ! Hope to see you at KK  next
> year. Regards, Al Watsky

--
Alex Lubet, Ph. D.
Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor of Music
Adjunct Professor of American and Jewish Studies
Head, Division Of Composition and Music Theory
University of Minnesota
2106 4th St. S
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612 624-7840 612 624-8001 (fax)


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