As Budapest once again comes together to celebrate the important but nearly lost cultural contribution of the Hungarian Jewish community during the 10th annual Jewish Summer Festival, there will be many events and programs to see. Among them you are sure to hear the unique sound of Klezmer music, and to help appreciate the history and method of the art form, we’ve put together a brief guide.History
Drawing on devotional traditions extending back into Biblical times, Klezmer music really developed in the 15th century as a secular musical tradition that parallels Hasidic and Ashkenazic Judaism. The term „Klezmer” originally referred to the musical instrument (plural: klezmorim) itself, then grew to include the musicians, and finally came to encompass the musical genre in the second half of the 20th century.
Klezmer music comes from Bessarabia, a historical term for the Moldavian region of present-day Romania. Although the music is secular, it was based on the devotional vocal music of the synagogue. Klezmer musicians were looked down upon by Rabbis due to their traveling lifestyle, which mixed frequently with Roma gypsy bands and was influenced strongly by them both musically and linguistically.
Like other professional musicians, klezmorim were often limited by authorities. Ukrainian restrictions lasting into the 19th century banned them from playing loud instruments; hence musicians took up the violin, cimbalom, and other string instruments. It was perceived favorably at the time by German composer Felix Mendelssohn, yet brushed off by Hungarian virtuoso Ferenc (Franz) Liszt. As restrictions on loud music lifted, the clarinet and later brass instruments and percussion were implemented.
Instruments and Sound
Klezmer is easily identifiable by its characteristic expressive melodies, reminiscent of the human voice, complete with laughing and weeping. The melody is often played a little bit before or sometimes after the beat, to give a certain rhythmical tension. Embellishments include the ‘Krekht’ (a sigh, moan, or sob), a short glissando towards the shrill, ‘dreydl’ (grupetto), ‘tshok’ (clink), ‘kvetch’ (complain) or ‘kneytsh’ (bends), and ‘boydt’ia’ to name but a few. These typical sounds reveal the cantorical origin of the music.
In contact with Slavonic, Greek, Ottoman (Turkish), Arabic, Gypsy and -later- American jazz musicians, the klezmorim acquired, through numerous tempo changes, irregular rhythms, dissonance and a touch of improvisation, the ability to generate a very diversified music, easily recognizable and widely appreciated all around the world. Originally, the tempo was free and the fluctuations were played dependent of the atmosphere in the ceremony or among the listeners.
Most Klezmer songs are in several sections, each in a different key. Frequently sections alternate between major and minor keys. A typical orchestra includes a first violin, a contra-violin, a cimbalom, a bass or cello, and sometimes a flute or clarinet. The melody is generally assigned to the lead violin, while the remainder providing harmony, rhythm and some counterpoint. Modern variations on the basic instruments can include the use of piano instead of cimbalom, snare drum or wood block to provide a more modern rhythmic feel, and the accordion.
Songs and Key Phrases
As usual in an oral tradition, Klezmer tunes were played without any composer’s credit and even without titles. The musicians often only called them by naming the rhythm (see below), and titling became necessary only with the advent of recording. Due to the Ashkenazi lineage of this music, the lyrics, terminology and song titles are typically in Yiddish.
„Ahava Rabboh” means ‘Abounding Love’ in Hebrew, and refers to a daily prayer, considered the mode of supplication. Most Klezmer makes use of the D Ahavah Rabboh scale (such as Nigun Rikud, Tish Nigun and numerous freylekhs). „Adonoy Moloch” means ‘my Lord reigns’ in Hebrew, and is common in traditional synagogue services to begin Psalms. „Mogen Ovos” means ‘our forebears’ shield’ in Hebrew, and is an older mode derived from the Friday night prayers. It is similar to the Western natural minor scale. Related is „Yishtabach”, which means ‘it shall become superb’ in Hebrew. It has a frequent lowering of the 2nd and 5th.
Dances
The repertoire of Klezmer music is largely dance songs for weddings and other celebrations. These range from fast and slow couples’ numbers (such as Sher) to circle dances (such as Freylekhs), line dances (Bulgars), and square-dancing formations. The Khosidl a Hasidic dance based on a religious folk tune in 2/4 or 4/4. It usually begins at a moderate tempo and accelerates progressively to reach an ecstatic enthusiasm.
Events in Budapest
During the Jewish Summer Festival, you can witness and even try out a few of the above songs and dances at several points, the best of which will be the dual performance of the Budapest Klezmer Band and the Kálmán Balogh Gypsy Cimbalom Band at the Dohány Street Great Synagogue (well worth a visit at any time of the year) on September 2nd at 7pm. Much more information about the history and musical theory exists online – a little research can pay off for those seeking more detail.