Re: Klezmer trumpet

[Jordan Hirsch <trombaedu...>]

That trumpeters, or more accurately, rotary cornetists, were a part of
Klezmer in the late 19th century is not a question. Whether they were in
every ensemble or not is a different story.

Jordan


Fred Blumenthal wrote:

>
> The question of whether or how a trumpet would fit into a klezmer
> group brings up questions of authentic style and history in klezmer
> playing.  My understanding has always been that this was a music of
> poverty, and that those instruments were included that were available,
> or could be recruited from the neighbors (Gypsies, Slavs et al.)  In
> vivid contrast with "classical" European music, in which the
> instrumentation of a string quartet is non-negotiable, klezmer groups
> contained whatever was available and someone could play.  I, too,
> immediately think of violin and clarinet as being the backbones of
> klezmer, but that's a narrower view of klezmer.  Maybe it isn't the
> perfect word to say we've been "spoiled" by large ensembles with piano
> and highly-trained, polished performers, but sometimes performances
> with an occasional sour note and that seem always at risk of breaking
> down have their own anxious cha! rm, intensity and authenticity.  On
> the other hand, this is also clearly a music that evolved from
> centuries ago to the jazz-influenced music of Mickey Katz, Dave Tarras
> et al.  And the people who are fusing other styles into 21st-century
> klezmer probably don't disdain the trumpet, or synthesizer either, for
> that matter.
>
> Fred Blumenthal
> xd2fabl (at) us(dot)ibm(dot)com