Klarinet Archive - Posting 000451.txt from 2003/08

From: Kenneth Wolman <kenneth.wolman@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Klezmer? (and eBay horns)
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2003 09:53:16 -0400

Briefly:

I am in the process of really discovering this music. Yes, Giora Feidman
(I can't wait until November, I've got tickets!) who is astounding but goes
way beyond klezmer itself; and also some of the real down-home guys like
Naftule Brandwein and Margot Leverett (the latter I gather is a modern
recreator, but WHAT a recreator).

Who else is out there? Does someone have a list or recorded players, or
know where one exists?

The only time I ever saw someone playing klezmer live was in the subway
station at 47th Street & 6th Avenue back in 1997 or '98. An old guy
wearing a yarmulke, playing what looked like an Albert system clarinet. I
didn't think to ask him technical questions like this: what set-ups work
for this sort of music? Mouthpiece, reed strength, even brands. Are there
books? Instructional tapes? This music is more addictive than a pack of
cigarettes:-).

Second--Lelia mentioned eBay-sold instruments and the assumption they're
going to need an overhaul. Mmmmmmmm...yes, no, maybe? I paid $275 for the
Noblet 40 and added $69 via Ardsley Music in Scarsdale because there was a
problem with the clarion notes. In fact, Ardsley didn't get it right the
first time...the notes at the "foot" of the clarion register still wouldn't
sound...so they took it back at their expense and kept it well over a week,
returned it, and oh boy, does it play.

Just don't tell me that to get the right sound for klezmer I'm going to
need another Selmer Centered Tone...please:-).

Ken

---------------------
Kenneth Wolman http://www.kenwolman.com
"When I give bread to the poor, they call me a saint; but when I ask why
people are poor, they call me a communist."--Dom Helder Camara, Bishop of
Recife, 1909-1999

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