Intermediate Yiddish Instrumental Music (Klezmer)

July 11 - 18, 2025; unstructured (free) day: July 15
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. & 3 - 6 p.m. | intermediate

with Szilvia Csaranko, Alina Bauer, Pieter Sint Nicolaas & Marine Goldwaser

What are the specifics of Yiddish instrumental style? How is klezmer music different from other Eastern European musical traditions, and what does it share with other styles? How do melodies transform through oral transmission, and how can we consciously work with variation as part of our own musicianship?

This workshop explores the stylistic language of traditional Yiddish instrumental music (klezmer) through core repertoire from the traditional klezmer canon. Through close listening and hands-on playing, we will delve into phrasing, ornamentation, rhythm, form, and the subtle expressive elements that give this music its distinctive voice. A central part of the workshop will be learning directly from historical recordings. By engaging deeply with archival sources, participants will develop stylistic nuance and a personal relationship to the tradition. Tunes will be taught primarily by ear, complemented by written materials where helpful.

Special Focus: Women in Yiddish Culture

In connection with this year’s theme, we will explore the presence – and absence – of women instrumentalists in historical recordings. While documentation is rare, we will explore the available sources (including recordings associated with Sylvia Schwartz and Lara Cherniavsky). We will listen side by side to older recordings and modern interpretations of the same repertoire, performed by leading women musicians of the klezmer revival and the generations that followed. We’ll also explore the biographies, musical voices, and stylistic contributions of women who have shaped the contemporary klezmer landscape.

The workshop will include plenary sessions, ensemble playing, instrument-specific classes, and seminars on special topics. We’ll be teaching both by ear and using written music in this workshop. You should be able either to read music well or learn by ear well or both. If you’re not very confident of your ability to learn by ear, please don’t worry! Our teachers are experts at guiding you in that process and the atmosphere of the workshop is supportive, not competitive. This workshop includes one unstructured “free” day for practicing alone or with others, reviewing materials, or just resting.

Please note! What makes this an “intermediate” workshop? “Intermediate” refers to your level of experience with Yiddish instrumental music (klezmer), not to your level as a player, which can be intermediate through advanced, but not beginner. To participate, in addition to playing your instrument well, you should have a few years’ experience with klezmer music, along with any other kind of music you play (such as classical, jazz, folk etc.).

 

Workshop fee:
530 € Standard / 425 € Reduced / 740 € Sponsor / 180 € Under 18