Bookends Klezmer feature Jewish musician characters in an original presentation.
Klezmer music is a Jewish musical tradition that originated in Eastern Europe, particularly the regions of Central and Eastern Europe that included Poland, Ukraine, Romania and Moldavia.
This music emerged in the 18th century and is deeply rooted in Ashkenazi Jewish culture. The term "klezmer" derives from two Yiddish words, "klei" meaning "instruments" and "zemer" meaning "song". Klezmer music is music of celebration and emotional expression, traditionally accompanying events such as weddings and Jewish religious holidays. Klezmer musical instruments include violin, clarinet, accordion, trombone, double bass and tsimbl (cymbalum).
Klezmer melodies are often playful and melancholy, reflecting the historical and cultural experiences of the Ashkenazi Jewish people. Klezmer musicians are known for their virtuosity and ability to improvise, adding variations and embellishments to the basic melodies.
Klezmer music has undergone a variety of musical influences over time, including elements of Gypsy, Russian and Ukrainian music. In the 20th century, the Jewish diaspora spread klezmer music around the world, including to the USA, Israel and South America. A famous klezmer composer was Naftule Brandwein, known for his virtuosity on the clarinet. Klezmer enjoyed a revival in the 1970s and 1980s with groups such as the Klezmorim and the Klezmer Conservatory Band. Klezmer music festivals are held all over the world, bringing together musicians and fans of Jewish music. Klezmer has also fused with other musical genres, giving rise to styles such as "klezmer fusion". There are a variety of traditional Jewish dances that accompany klezmer music, including the "hora" and the "bulgar". Klezmer song lyrics, when they exist, often deal with themes such as love, joy, faith and nostalgia. Historic recordings of klezmer music have helped preserve this musical tradition.
Klezmer has been used in film and theatre productions, contributing to its visibility in popular culture. Some contemporary klezmer musicians, such as Itzhak Perlman, have achieved worldwide renown.
