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Classical to Klezmer


Details

Ian Scarfe full profile / Clarinet, Violin, Piano / 3 musicians

Other players: Alicia Choi, violin; James Pytko, clarinet


Full program notes

Johannes Brahms - Hungarian Dances (arr. for violin/piano)
Bèla Bartók - Contrasts (for clarinet, violin, piano)
Srul Irving Glick - The Klezmer's Wedding


Historical context

Eastern Europe has always been fertile ground for lively and soulful folk music styles. One of the great, so-called-conservative, so-called-classical masters Johannes Brahms made his first big paycheck by publishing two books of so-called "Hungarian Dances", where he freely borrowed this folk music style. It proved so popular that his friend, the famed violinist Joseph Joachim, quickly made arrangements for violin so they could play together!

Bela Bartok's music is steeped in Eastern European traditional music, so it's no surprise that was where he started when he was approached to write a new trio for violin, clarinet, and piano. Surely you are wondering which clarinetist of the 1930s would dare to ask Bartok himself for new music? None other than the great king of swing himself, Benny Goodman!
The clarinet and the violin are both important parts to folk music of many kinds, especially the style of Central European Ashkenazy Jewish instrumental music that we call "Klezmer". It's wild dances and frenetic improvisations are most often heard in celebrations, so it's fitting that this work is called "The Klezmer's Wedding"


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