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February 24, 2002

Cubo Futurist Klezmer

"Cubo Futurist Klezmer" a new cd of rare historical recordings from the moscow state yiddish theatre (goset) 1922-1938 available in limited number.

Founded in revolutionary Petrograd in 1919, relocating to Moscow two years later, and remaining there until it was silenced by Stalin in 1949, the Moscow State Yiddish Theatre (GOSET) was the not only the preeminent Jewish institution in the history of Soviet Union but likely the best attended Yiddish theater ever established in Europe. Populist in its material, avant-garde in its staging, the Moscow GOSET was above all, a musical theater, that drew on the talents of such distinguished Russian Jewish composers as Lev Pulver and Iosef Akhron.

The only collection of its kind, "Cubo Futurist Klezmer" contains all 15 known GOSET recordings, including songs from the classic productions of Koldunya, 200,000, and The Travels of Benjamin, as well as two of the great Yiddish actor Solomon Mikhoel's monologues from the GOSET's 1938 staging of Tevye the Milkman. This material has been drawn from surviving copies of the inexpensive souvenir '78s sold at the GOSET's Moscow theatre on Malaya Bronnya Street (and also the Soviet Pavilion at the 1939 New York World's Fair). Recording quality varies but the humor, inventiveness, and high spirits of this remarkable theater shines through the technical imperfections.

"Cubo-Futurist Klezmer" was assembled and annotated by Dr. Mel Gordon (Professor of Theater-UC Berkeley) and produced by J. Hoberman (author, Bridge of Light: Yiddish Film Between Two Worlds) as a luftmensh project, on the occasion of The Jewish Museum in New York's current show, "Marc Chagall: Early Works From Russian Collections." A limited number of CDs is available at $15 (postage included) in the US; $20 overseas. (Payment in US currency only.) Contact hojams@att.net.

Jim Hoberman

Posted by Ari Davidow at 10:12 AM | | Comments (0)

Craig Taubman to release One Shabbat Morning CD

I am very pleased and excited to announce the upcoming release of "One Shabbat Morning". Over two years in the making, the CD features thirteen new melodies as well as special performances by guest Cantors Alberto Mizrahi, Patti Linsky and Ira Bigeleisen.

One Shabbat Morning is a project that was created in an effort to reach and inspire a larger number of people to the Saturday Morning service. The melodies are catchy and often based on the Nusach (traditional melodies) of the morning service.

In our constant desire to reach new people we have what we hope will be a creative outreach promotion. For a very limited time you can purchase two CD's for $18. It is our hope that you will keep one copy and share the other copy with someone who might be interested in this new music. All orders must be received by March 1st, our expected release date in order to receive this special discount!

If you are interested in purchasing One Shabbat Morning, please send a check made out to Craig'n Co. to PO Box 6061-115, Sherman Oaks CA 91423

If you would like to place the order using a credit card you can e-mail Melanie or Lauren at Craignco@aol.com or call 818-760-1077 and they will be happy to help you. They will need your card number, expiration date, phone and full name and address.

I thank you for your support and hope the music touches you.

Craig

Posted by Ari Davidow at 10:08 AM | | Comments (0)

Beyond Recall: Once more revisited..., review by Michael Spudic

of Jewish music in Germany prior to the Holocaust, reviewer: Michael Spudic, originally posted to the jewish-music mailing list.

Posted by Ari Davidow at 10:04 AM | | Comments (0)

February 18, 2002

In Memoriam of Liberation--Theodorakis' Mauthausen Trilogy and more, recent reviews by Ari Davidow

reviews of great new releases of music by Mikis Theodorakis, Zakarya, Naftule's Dream, Chava Alberstein, and Monsieur Camembert.

Posted by Ari Davidow at 10:05 AM | | Comments (0)

February 12, 2002

Rahel Jaskow debum album--new music by an Orthodox Jewish woman

Rahel Jaskow's debut album is a small statement that Orthodox women should be allowed to sing in public. Amanda Borschel writes in the Jerusalem Post.

Posted by Ari Davidow at 10:10 AM | | Comments (0)

February 10, 2002

New book on Synagogue Music

"The Musical Tradition of the Eastern European Synagogue: History and Definition by Sholom Kalib." Publication date: March 2002. Publisher: Syracuse Univ Pr. Binding: Hardcover. Subjects: Music; Ethnomusicology; History & Criticism.

Posted by Ari Davidow at 10:22 PM | | Comments (0)

Klezmatics album rereleases on Rounder records

Seth Rogovoy reports on the Jewish-music mailing list that The Klezmatics albums, "Jews with Horns" and "Possessed," both of which have been out of print for several years, are being re-released this week by Rounder Records. The new releases are exactly the same as the originals -- same music, same booklets. The only difference (as far as I can tell) is the Rounder logo and catalog numbers. Rounder already re-released "The Well," the group's collaboration with Chava Alberstein, last fall.

Posted by Ari Davidow at 11:40 AM | | Comments (0)

Strauss/Warschauer Duo in Copenhagen, Mon Feb 11

The Strauss/Warschauer Duo will performing Monday evening February 11 at 6:30 PM at the Valby Medborgerhus, near Copenhagen. For more information, please call 32849495, 36167125 or 33128868. The evening will feature a concert of klezmer music and Yiddish song by the Duo, plus dances taught and lead by Leon Blank.

Posted by Ari Davidow at 11:38 AM | | Comments (0)

February 3, 2002

Israeli Klezmer Workshop starts Feb 10

Zev Feldman, leader of the American klezmer revival and founder of the Khevrisa Ensemble teaches a weekly workshop on klezmer dance-tunes, wedding melodies and improvisations from Eastern Europe and America. Beginning February 10, 2002, on Sundays afternoons, 14:00-16:00 at Beit Sholom Aleichem, Rehov Berkovitz no. 4 (corner of Reh. Weitzmann), Tel-Aviv. Telephone: 03-6956513.

Posted by Ari Davidow at 3:31 PM | | Comments (0)

New Yiddish Passover CD - Songs My Bubbe Should Have Taught Me, Volume One: Passover

Featuring Lori Cahan-Simon, Steven Greenman, Michael Alpert and friends, the new CD is a gorgeous compilation of all Yiddish Passover songs. Five of these songs have never been recorded before, including Michael Alpert singing the Matzo-baking song, a capella. Review

Itzik Gottesman, associate editor of the Yiddish Forward and [Jewish-Music] list member, said:

Most of the songs in this collection are from the secular Hagadahs of the Yiddish school systems in America, the Workmens Circle Schools, the Sholem Aleichem Schools, and the Labor-Zionist Farband Schools. By the 1930s, all three had extensive branches throughout the United States and thousands of students who attended those afternoon schools now remember these songs fondly, though most have not been recorded. The poets and composers of these songs include among the finest that the Yiddish cultural world in general, and the Yiddish folkshul world in particular, has produced: the poets Mani Leib, Avrom Reisin, Dovid Edelshtadt and Yisroel Goichberg, and the composers Lazar Weiner, Shmuel Bugatch, and Mikhl Gelbart.

Lori Cahan-Simon has done us a great service by bringing these songs together on one recording.

My hope is that you will learn some and add them to your family seder and teach them to everyone.

I'll be selling them for the bargain price of $15 plus $2.50 for shipping. Send checks to:

Lori Simon
3440 Avalon Road
Shaker Heights OH 44120

I know you'll love it! For further info, e-mail: lorelecs@juno.com.

Posted by Ari Davidow at 3:28 PM | | Comments (0)