The Book of Klezmer

Name: The Book of Klezmer
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SKU: 9781613740637
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The History, the Music, the Folklore

By Yale Strom

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( 17 ratings, 3 reviews)

Summary

The Book of Klezmer explores the rich history of klezmer, the traditional Yiddish music of European and American Jews. Originating in the Middle Ages and flourishing in the shtetls of Eastern Europe, klezmer accompanied weddings, festivals, and prayers with its unique blend of laughter and tears. Despite the near destruction of European klezmer musicians during the Holocaust, the music has experienced a vibrant revival in recent decades, often infused with jazz and rock influences. This comprehensive work includes extensive documentary material, interviews with both forgotten and celebrated musicians, and previously unpublished photographs that illuminate klezmer's enduring cultural legacy.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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The Book of Klezmer

$49⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book will appeal to readers interested in Jewish culture, music historians, ethnomusicologists, and anyone fascinated by the history and revival of traditional world music forms.

Originally published in hardcover in 2002.

Description

Klezmer is Yiddish music, the music of the Jews of Europe and America, a music of laughter and tears, of weddings and festivals, of dancing and prayer. Born in the Middle Ages, it came of age in the shtetl (the Eastern European Jewish country town), where "a wedding without klezmer is worse than a funeral without tears."

Most of the European klezmorim (klezmer players) were murdered in the Holocaust; in the last 25 years, however, klezmer has been reborn, with dozens of groups, often mixing klezmer with jazz or rock, gaining large followings throughout the world.

The Book of Klezmer traces the music's entire history, making use of extensive documentary material; interviews with forgotten klezmorim as well as luminaries such as Theodore Bikel, Leonard Nimoy, Joel Grey, Andy Statman, and John Zorn; and dozens of illuminating, stirring, and previously unpublished photographs.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised for its engaging storytelling and meticulous research, The Book of Klezmer is described as "a remarkably entertaining and carefully documented study" by Choice and "the best, most thorough, klezmer book on the market" by Cleveland Jewish News. Reviewers highlight the author's artistic approach and valuable inclusion of personal anecdotes, with Theodore Bikel calling it "a valuable addition to klezmer literature." The book's emotional depth and accessible style resonate not only with Jewish readers but a wider audience, making it a treasured musical and cultural resource.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781613740637

Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 June 2011

Country: United States

Imprint: Chicago Review Press

Illustration: Illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 228.0mm

Weight: 548g

Pages: 400

Collections

Arts & Culture Education & Reference Non-Fiction Yale Strom

About the Author

Yale Strom is the author of six books on Eastern European Jews and gypsies; has made four highly acclaimed documentaries, including The Last Klezmer, and a feature film; and is the leader of two klezmer bands, with nine records to his name.