Klarinet Archive - Posting 000462.txt from 1995/05

From: Lee Callet <LCallet@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Klezmer
Date: Fri, 19 May 1995 06:40:12 -0400

Dan...thanks for your note. About five years ago there was a musical at the
Mark Taper Forum in L.A. called "Ghetto", which dealt with Jewish actors and
musicians who kept alive in the Vilna Ghetto, during the war, by entertaining
the Germans. Giora Feidman had an acting part in the play, with minimal
lines, but he played the clarinet continually. Sadly, the inevitable
conclusion of the play was the annihilation of the whole troup. In addition
to Feidman there was a small pit orchestra. The clarinetinst in the pit
would sub for Feidman, (who had some contractual conflicts), and I would sub
in the pit. I met and talked to Feidman on several occasions and found him
pleasant, but tired because of his exertions. I cannot guess his age. My
ability at the Klezmer style is minimal at best, but I learned a lot. I was
amazed at how softly Feidman played. It was almost like an echo, all the
time, but he really made you listen. His playing was, at least in the
context of "Ghetto", mournful rather than joyful. I kept wishing there had
been some way he could really let it out. Lee