Yiddish and Klezmer Music Today

Each year, thousands of people participate as learners and audience members in Yiddish and klezmer music programs. Many of them are young people seeking connection to their roots. The “klezmer revival” that began in the 1980s is thriving today.

This three-part online program explores new and old Yiddish and klezmer compositions, recreated works, and curated programs and festivals. Each program includes discussions with composers, curators, performers or producers of new Yiddish and klezmer concert programs and festivals. Recorded music and videos will be presented offering examples of new programs presented this year.

The series is co-organized by the Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.

Programs

Continuing Evolution: Yiddish Folksong Today

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2022 | 2:00pm ET (11:00am PT)
On Zoom

Mark Kligman (Director of the Lowell Milken Center) interviews Alex Weiser (Director of Public Programs, YIVO) about the YIVO festival, which took place in May 2022. Called Continuing Evolution: Yiddish Folksong Today, this music festival celebrated Yiddish folksong and featured performances of contemporary classical works reimagining Yiddish folksongs; classic compositions which engage with Yiddish folksongs; contemporary artists engaged with traditional Yiddish folk singing, and more. YIVO presented four concerts with over twelve premieres. Musical highlights will be shared.

Yiddish Cultural and Music Festivals

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2022 | 2:00pm ET (11:00am PT)
On Zoom

This past summer, like many in the past, thousands of people attended festivals, workshops and programs to hear, learn and listen to klezmer and Yiddish music. Such festivals and intensive learning programs occur at different parts of the year and in different places around the globe. This program shares information about and highlights from four such programs.

Chaired by Alex Weiser (YIVO), the panel to will include:
Alan Bern (Yiddish Summer Weimar)
Lisa Newman (Yid-Stock)
Pete Rushevsky (Yiddish NY)
Avia Moore (KlezKanada)

The North American Premiere of the Opera Bas Sheve

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2022 | 2:00pm ET (11:00am PT)
On Zoom

Written by Henekh Kon in 1924, Bas Sheve is one of the only known pre-Holocaust Yiddish operas. Presumed lost, it was discovered in 2017 by Professor Diana Matut, though it was missing 16 pages of some of the essential dramatic elements of the plot. Composer Joshua Horowitz and librettist Michael Wex completed the score. In 2019, a fully orchestrated Bas Sheve was performed at Yiddish Summer Weimar. In the summer of 2022, it made its North American debut at Toronto's Ashkenaz Festival. This panel will discuss the performance with video examples provided. It is co-presented by the Ashkenaz Foundation.

Panel:
Eric Stein (producer)
Josh Horowitz (composer and arranger)
Michael Wex (supplementary librettist)
Neil Stulberg (conductor)