Klarinet Archive - Posting 000525.txt from 1995/05

From: David Gilman <dagilman@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: KLEZMER
Date: Fri, 19 May 1995 06:41:08 -0400

>Not to knock Giora Feidman's playing...he has such a beautiful sound...but
>there were many clarinetists who paved the way for him. In a sense he's more
>the popularizer for the current wave. His selection choice is always
>appropriate, but rarely that interesting, often saccharine. Check out old
>Dave Tarrar recordings, or Kurt Byorling from Chicago. Or see the touring
>production "the Schlemiel" that Hankus Netsky did the music for. Margo
>Leverette's playing really soars where Feidman's seems more of a balm...
>
>
There was an article in _The_Clarinet_ some months/years ago on this same
topic. The author deliberately did not mention Giora Feidman, and many top
players wrote in and complained. This author then replied that Feidman's
contributions to the form were insignificant for the same reasons you list
here and thus not worth listing. There immediately ensued a fusillade of
letters screaming for the guy's head on a platter. I personally don't know
what to think either way, since I am not knowledgeable about Klezmer music.
But, I can safely infer from what I read that Mr. Feidman has a tremendous
following and is worthy of great respect. I must add that this same author
said complimentary things about Dave Tarras and a few others.

Another topic covered in these same letters to the editor was the meaning of
the word "Klezmer" itself. Several people schooled in Hebrew, including Mr.
Feidman himself, wrote in insisting that "Klezmer" indicates a concept of
music making and not a type or genre of music. Whatever the word may
indicate, I, for one, am glad this wonderful tradition lives on.

David Gilman