Mazl Tov

Mazl Tov (“Congratulations!”) - traditional Klezmer wedding dance

Klezmers were Jewish musicians of Southeastern Europe: of Ukraine, Moldova, Byelorussia, Bessarabia... The word Klezmer is formed from two Hebrew words: kley zemer, which means “vessels of songs”. First it referred to the musical instruments, later to the musicians, and later still – to the style of their music. This style was influenced by cantorial singing (hence the “laughing” and “weeping” ornamentation in old Klezmer recordings), and above all – by Romanian music. Jewish and Gypsy musicians intermingled in Romania, and enriched each others’ playing style. There was even a Jewish band, completely disguised as Gypsies: apparently, the latter were more valued and better paid...

The Jewish religion discourages musical instruments, both on Shabbat and on other religious festivities. Almost the only occasion for Klezmers to play – and to earn whatever money they could – was to play for weddings. Fortunately, Jewish weddings were lavish affairs, lasting for a whole week, and the Klezmers squeezed their way into their every aspect. There is a slow Hora, for example, with the very descriptive title: “Accompanying In-Laws Home”, and we can imagine two groups of in-laws – kinsman of the bride and groom – escorting home by two groups of musicians... Or the “Brogez Dance” (the “Angry Dance”), which was danced by two mothers-in-law, to ritually remove any friction between them...

The main musical event of the whole week, though, was the wedding dance, for which Klezmers played fast, invigorating music. This genre was called Freylakhs – Yiddish for “Festive Dances”; “Mazl Tov” was one of them.

One of the characteristics of Klezmer style is the use of two different rhythms in the accompaniment: one is the regular Oompa-Oompa rhythm (where 8 beats are played as groups of two: 8=2+2+2+2, like in polkas and marches), and the other – syncopated Bulgar rhythm: (8=3+3+2). In my arrangement I clashed these two rhythms right away in the introduction, and then sprinkled the Bulgar rhythm freely throughout the piece. You may have fun, trying to spy the moments when this unorthodox rhythm suddenly jumps out in the left hand...

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This story is just a tidbit from Alexander's "Songs of Exiles" concert program. To hear the full story, together with Alexander's virtuoso performance, come see him at his next concert! To buy this track, or the full CD of the music from "Songs of Exiles", follow the link on the left.