Introduction to Yiddish Instrumental Music (Klezmer)

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

with Hannah Ochner, Johannes Paul Gräßer, Alevtina Parland & Dmitri Gaskin

Are you an instrumentalist who plays classical, jazz, folk, or some other kind of music and you find yourself drawn to klezmer music?  This workshop will introduce you to the basic concepts in Yiddish instrumental music (klezmer) – such as modes, phrasing, articulation, ornamentation, harmony and rhythm – and thus equip you with tools for working with this repertoire on your own or with your group. The main focus on instrumental music will be complemented by an exploration of the historical and cultural connections to Yiddish vocal music, dance, language and religion that shape this music on a fundamental level.

We will learn from several kinds of sources, including early commercial and non-commercial recordings, older and contemporary collections of notated music, and contemporary living musicians. In keeping with this year's special focus on women in Yiddish culture, we will also draw on the work of women musicians and scholars – from early pioneers such as Sofia Magid, Lara Cherniavsky and Sylvia Schwartz to contemporary women klezmer musicians. This workshop will dive deeply into klezmer tradition, and, based on this foundation, will also explore its contemporary expressions.

We invite you to join us and become part of our diverse and inclusive international learning community to discover the fascinating universe of Yiddish instrumental music! You do NOT have to be Jewish or have special knowledge about Jewish religion or culture to be very welcome in our community!

Please note! This workshop is for instrumentalists who want an introduction to Yiddish music, or who have “met” Yiddish music and are ready for a really thorough knowledge of the basics. It is not for people who are just learning to play an instrument. If you’re comfortable on your instrument but newer to klezmer music or to learning by ear, then this workshop is for you! Some teaching will be by ear, which is essential to learning a new musical style the way that hearing spoken language is essential to learning a foreign language. The language of instruction will be English.

 

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