RE: Chassidic Classic with Giora Feidman

[Laoise Davidson <jmi...>]

Hi - Giora recently played at the Union Chapel in London (organised by JMI -
Jewish Music Institute), having not played here for over 20 years.  It was
an amazing performance - the thing is he really knows how to entertain.  I
had also heard him on CD prior to seeing him live, and wasnt that
impressed - but live he is incredible.  He comes from the traditional
Klezmer background, but he has moved on, retaining enough of his klezmer
roots, making it his own.  Traditional Klezmer is great, but it would get
boring if everyone only played it traditionally all the time.  But Giora
brings a dynamic personality and great stage presence to the fore - for him
it is not just about Klezmer but to entertain, educate and communicate.  So,
before you pass judgement based on his recordings, I suggest you try to see
him live.

Laoise
JMI Library
SOAS
UK


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org
[mailto:owner-jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org]On Behalf Of Klezcorner (at) 
aol(dot)com
Sent: 30 November 2003 20:13
To: World music from a Jewish slant
Subject: Re: Chassidic Classic with Giora Feidman


I don't know that particular album, but I really find Giora Feidman's music

to be cloying. He really overdoes the shmears and other shticks. I don't

find any of the bittersweetness in his playing that I find in Klezmer

clarinetists that I like (which is most other mainstream Klezmer

clarinetists) and that makes Klezmer music so appealing.


I find it very difficult to listen to Giora Feidman.

>>

This Cd is part of a compilation series from the Hataklit (Israle) label.
They keep rehashing old recordings and giving them new names. Though is says
"featuring Giora Feidamn on the cover, most of theartists are Israeli
musicians
and not necessarily Klezmer.
These compilations have been  around for a number of years, and find their
greatest market outside of Israel and  in the tourist shops at the Tel-Aviv
airport.

At one time Feidman was the "king" of Klezmer and his recordings were VERY
popular, from what I gather, he's still very popular in Europe, but no
longer a
major factor in the US.  Most of his recordings have lost what little "
klezmer" they might have contained at one time.
He is a very good musician, but Klezmer?????  Not really.
Simon
Hatikvah Music
(Psst, wanna buy some Feidman CDs?)
323) 655-7083



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