It sobs, it cries, but it can also make you dance with joy: Klezmer music.
"The Klezmer Tunes" - a modern klezmer ensemble from Cologne under the direction of clarinettist Dimitri Schenker - includes Igor Mazritsky (violin), Michael Meier-Etienne (double bass) and Vadim Baev (accordion). Four professional musicians, who work the catchy melodies from the infinite treasure trove of Jewish klezmer music in their own very special way. The quartet's unique sound is characterized by influences as diverse as jazz, funk, gypsy, bossa nova and rock'n'roll.
"The origin of this music is very important to us, but its versatility is also enormous. All the arrangements are our own. We experiment a lot with the sound and rhythm and invite our listeners on a musical journey of discovery."
The members of "The Klezmer Tunes" are musical border crossers who reinterpret traditional Jewish songs and take the audience into a world of sound in which joie de vivre and sadness need not be mutually exclusive. The ensemble departs from its classical lineage and embarks on a joyful journey across the continents. The audience can expect an exciting story about klezmer transformations and relationships. From light-footed sabre dances to Csárdás and Finnish polka, the trail leads to jazz, film music and Mackie Messer.
The fascinating thing about the melodies is the direct translation of emotions into music; you can recognize the laughter, the sighs and the sobs. From cheerfully jubilant to deeply saddened - the range is huge.
