Klarinet Archive - Posting 000080.txt from 1994/07

From: Lee Callet <LCallet@-----.COM>
Subj: Giora Feidman
Date: Fri, 8 Jul 1994 18:45:40 -0400

Several years ago I had occasion to be in the pit orchestra for a show called
"Ghetto", in which Giora Feidman played clarinet on stage and was part of
the cast. My acquaintance with Klezmer was only passing at the time, but
grew substantially. Feidman was soft-spoken and polite at all times, even
though hs role was strenuous. (The play dealt with Jews in the Wilna ghetto
who entertained the Germans with music and plays in order to stay alive.)
The thing that struck me most was how softly Feidman played. He used, I
think, very soft reeds, and never pushed the sound. His playing was lyrical
and poignant and always musical. He didn't play flurries of notes, but
those he did ;lay spoke to his depth of feeling and artistry.

Lee Callet