Klezmer Classics premieres on the Sound Salon YouTube channel on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 7:00 PM Pacific Time. This free virtual concert is accessible to all and will be followed by a live Q&A with the musicians on Zoom. Sound Salon is thrilled to present its first digital concert funded by generous donors on Kickstarter.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82555211153?pwd=YWJEOUR5cEFraGpxRzZWdGgrT0JSQT09
Meeting ID: 825 5521 1153
Passcode: 408835
Russian Jewish violinists at the turn of the 20th century created a new musical language combining the latest trends in classical music with traditions of the Eastern European Klezmer. Featuring violinist Steven Greenman, cellist Gretchen Yanover, and pianist Byron Schenkman.
“These early 20th century works established a beautiful and meaningful contribution to Jewish art music that continues to be enjoyed over a century later.” – Violinist, Steven Greenman.
This concert, on the fourth night of Hannukah, features works by Joseph Achron, Jole Engel, Lazare Saminsky, Leo Zeitlin, and other Russian Jewish composers. Many were students at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in the early 20th century, who grew up confined to the Pale of Settlement, often from families of cantors or klezmorim (traditional Jewish instrumental musicians.)
“This project has been particularly special for me as I feel that we are somehow connecting with our ancestors and allowing their voices to speak through us.” – Byron Schenkman, pianist and Sound Salon Artistic Director.
In our own time, violinist Steven Greenman creates new compositions based on Klezmer tradition. This program includes Greenman’s own works, including Concert Kale Baveynens, which captures a deeply emotional traditional wedding moment Kale Baveynens (crying of the bride) in which klezmorim would perform poignant music to induce tears as the bride would be leaving her family to start a new life.
Sound Salon began creating free, broadcast-quality digital concerts during the pandemic as a way to offer peace, solace, and community. Sound Salon continues producing these online concerts as part of the organization’s commitment to ensuring equal access to high quality performances. However, donor support and grants for at-home arts programming have greatly diminished. The successful Kickstarter campaign for this project – which succeeded in raising more than $11,000 – represents an exciting new way to underwrite online concerts.
To learn more about the Klezmer Classics online concert please visit https://soundsalonmusic.org/klezmer-classics/
Klezmer Classics will remain available online throughout the season and beyond, as do all previous Sound Salon online concerts as https://www.youtube.com/@TheSoundSalon
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Sound Salon (formerly Byron Schenkman & Friends) brings a diverse set of 21st-century perspectives to artistically excellent ensemble music, inspired by European traditions of the 17th through 19th centuries. The name Sound Salon expresses the music organization’s surroundings, its purpose, and its community.
Sound Salon is a 501c3 non-profit organization, supported by donors. Grantors include Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, 4Culture, ArtsFund, Arts WA, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Discover more about these programs and join the community at www.SoundSalonMusic.org