RE: Romanian fiddler available September 27th?

[Mel Korn <mkorn...>]

Mary.... I reread the original request prior to responding. I understand how
you might perceive this, and that it could smack of some sort of reverse
racism. However, what we seem to have is a couple, I assume non-Jewish, who
upon seeing and hearing this wonderful gift of Jewish wedding music, wanted
to include it as a part of their wedding. The fact that it falls on Rosh
Hashanah, which even the most secular of Jews treat with a certain respect
is problematic. Most of my Jewish friends, who range from Chassidic through
Atheist, somehow would not feel comfortable working on that date.

It is however, a wonderful thing that there are musicians who can and do
play this music with feeling, love and respect, to the extent that they can
add this dimension to the wedding in question. In context, the fact that non
Jewish musicians would play Klezmer music for a non Jewish wedding, is
rather poetic, and lends credence to the thought there is hope for us all in
this turbulent world.

About a year ago, I began to take lessons from Martin Van de Ven, so I could
really learn to play Klezmer music. One of the first things he (a non-Jewish
transplanted Dutchman)said to me (a first generation son of Holocaust
survivors who grew up immersed in Yiddish, and rebelling against the
culture), after listenng to me play for a few minutes was "I am going to
teach you how to play so you sound 'Jewish'". One need only listen to Martin
play to understand. His respect and reverence for the history of this music
is apparent in his wonderful sound.


Mel.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org
[mailto:owner-jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org]On Behalf Of david lowther
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 10:28 AM
To: World music from a Jewish slant
Subject: Fw: Romanian fiddler available September 27th?


Let me get this right - you're sending this message to a Jewish site asking
for non-Jewish musicians for this wedding?  What difference does it make if
they're playing the music she wants?  You may not realize it, but this is
racism.  Race or religion should have nothing to do with who the musicians
are.  I play klezmer all the time and I'm not Jewish, and would not hesitate
to play any kind of music (except Pomp and Circumstance) for folks who were
willing to listen.

Mary Lowther

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jack Falk (E-mail)" <jackfalk (at) teleport(dot)com>
To: "World music from a Jewish slant" <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2003 11:56 PM
Subject: Romanian fiddler available September 27th?


> Hello / Buna Ziua / Shalom,
>
> I was at a wonderful wedding this past weekend.  The bride and
> groom had lived in Romania for several years, and they invited
> Sandra Layman and Hank Bradley down from Seattle to liven up the
> gathering with some first-rate fiddle tunes that Sandra brought
> back from her many years in Bucuresti.
>
> Among the wedding guests was a Romanian-born woman who sat with
> her fiance, transfixed by the music.  Here's what she just wrote me:
>
>   The music at the wedding was so wonderful that both Paul and I realized
>   we should incorporate some traditional Romanian music in our own
wedding.
>   I spoke with Sandra Layman about this, but unfortunately, our wedding
>   falls on Rosh HaShanah weekend so she will not be able to make it....
>   The wedding will take place at 6PM on Saturday, September 27th at the
>   Baltimore Museum of Art.  Please let me know if you have any suggestions
>   or ideas.
>
> So.... if you can play Romanian violin music and you are available on that
> date (non-Jews only, please -- we're talking about Rosh HaShanah), write
me
> off-list and I will forward your information to the bride immediately.
> Even if you're not from the east coast, send your info if you might be
> able to come to Baltimore.
>
> A separate note:  I spent a lot of time visiting with the upcoming bride
> and groom, and they are both delightful people.  You'd enjoy them - and
> I wish I were free to take part in this wedding too!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jack (Yankl) Falk
>
>
>


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