Impressions of previous KlezFests
Modified 22 August 2005

Comments from KlezFesters on the 2005 Programme

‘This is the friendliest, most open and lively summer school I have attended.  I have learnt very much about the music but also about the culture and the people.  A very magical experience all round’.  (Sarah Moody, Bristol )

‘KlezFest 2005 has given me a unique and hugely valuable insight into Jewish music, tradition and culture, which I believe will change my whole approach to music, of all kinds, in the future. In addition this was a incredibly enjoyable and productive week which I hope to revisit next year and in years to come’. (Harry Hornsey, Devon )

‘KlezFest has opened my eyes from the standpoint of understanding klezmer music. I think it has started new period in my klezmer experience. Now I know what I don’t know and I should know…’(Pavel Suska, Bratislava )

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! This week was just great. (Yves Levy, Paris – who will of course be back next year)

‘Being able to be in an environment where one is surrounded by musicians was fantastic.  I learnt so much from that alone.  The classes I attended were excellent and have had a tremendously positive impacton my own playing.  Jeff is a superb musician and teacher.  I have never previously had a music lesson of such intensity, and Jeff was able to teach me a lot in the sessions. Deborah is an excellent teacher of theory, and was able to impart much information about the structure of klezmer music and improvisation.  She is also an inspiring musician. Frank is obviously a trumpet genius, and in his class he was able to give some great insights into how music can be arranged and presented.  What he taught went beyond music’. (Nathan Moore - Cambridge )

‘All of us ( klezmorim from the former soviet union ) have received huge pleasure from Klezfest in London – 2005. It was very important, interestingly and it is useful for all of us. It was fantastic! Still time of thanks you that you have invited us to London , we very much hope, that have justified the arrival and that you too liked our contribution to this year’s programme. We shall hope, that it was not last our meeting. Once more, of many thanks from all us!

Azoy, nokh a mol a sheynem dank, zay gezund un gliklekh, mit a grus fun Hamburg . For me it was very important to visit on master-classes Frank London. It was very curious to play with Josh Dolgin . And, certainly, for me it was very important and pleasurable to participate in a public concert “ Klezmer Klimax ‘. (Mark Kovnatskiy – Moscow via Hamburg )

‘spiritually and musically uplifting KlezFest unlocks emotions and stimulates me to carry on playing my instrument. The music is so accessible – I cam away thoroughly enriched, excited and exhausted. (David Paskett, Oxford )

‘An eye opener!! Had only heard one CD prior to deciding to come; expected just music but found culture, history, warmth and friendship‘. (Ian Turner, Dover )

Apart from all the dancing, singing, jamming, listening…. The opportunity to work with Frank London was an extraordinary musical experience from me. It has altered my musical boundaries! He IS music!! Thank you to him. And in general, thank you to you all at JMI for the week.

‘Fascinating and very intense – both musically and as a way of re-connecting with my family history.  I can already see benefits to my playing and have been inspired to build on this.  Also, humbling to be working with people of such a high level of competence -- but this can be a good thing! ‘(Ros Hudis - Aberystwith)

‘Wonderful, intense, enriching.  Most of all the enlightened attitude of the participants and tutors made for a special atmosphere.’ (Gica Loening - Edinburgh )

‘I had never played klezmer before and I didn’t really know anything about it.  KlezFest has taught me so much!  The teaching has been fantastic and it opened up a completely new world for me.  I was a bit apprehensive when I came but everyone was so nice and I made some great friends.  Thanks so much! (Maisie Lawrence 16 year old London )

‘What I feel is not to have played lot of double bass but I spent a whole week in the Klezmer music and Jewish sphere. Despite that I would like to have played and learned more things with my instrument, I enjoyed very much all what happened round it, being entirely involved in the single world of the traditional Jewish music. I like dancing, this allows us to learn what are the rhythms that ground the music. For a bass instrument it is necessary. Thomas Clement ( Brussels )

‘A unique opportunity to experience Jewish Music from multiple aspects, listening, performances, dancing and instrumental, learning from the masters in the field who proved to be dedicated and approachable artists/teachers and doing so in the company of other likeminded people.  I would recommend the school to anyone who loves the genre’. (Haya Lewi, London )

‘Five days of challenging, involving, rewarding, music making with a bunch of great people!’ (Peter Verity, Edinburgh )

‘I enjoyed it enormously. I’m really impressed that you sent CD of tunes prior to course(even though we only used them v marginally in lessons). Hope you can do so again next year. So important when emphasis is very strongly on learning by ear. Thanks for everything and best wishes to all’. (Elaine Guy, Reading )

‘A great week of music, dance and sociability facilitated by inspirational teachers and an atmosphere of warmth.  Further insights into Jewish culture and the context of Klezmer music. I really enjoyed, as a non-Jew) the synagogue service and Shabbat meal not knowing quite what to expect.  The Klezmatics were excellent, great having them here and the concert idea and jamming was enormous fun on the Wednesday at QEH.’  (Andrew Gardiner, Edinburgh)

‘Being part of Klezfest for the first time has made a lasting impression on me.  I have met some wonderful teachers and fellow students who have inspired me even more with their perspectives on klezmer.  I feel privileged to have attended and will certainly be back next year’. (Sean Flanagan)

‘Mazeltov on putting together another staggeringly impressive, life-changing week of klezmer music for us all!’ (Rachel Lasserson, London )

‘…an intensive and slightly overwhelming immersion in Yiddish music.  Inspiring and also a little daunting because I realise now that the possibilities are so immense and I feel I have to decide how I am going to accept the challenge of really going for my klezmer playing alongside my classical career’. (Anna Smith)

‘ Klezfest was exceptionally well organised and the teachers mostly both passionate about their music/dance and of a very high standard.  We were well catered for in a building able to accommodate us all.  I am surprised by how much I have learned and by the potential for us to improve in our own time. The things which have come to light for me as a result are:

• How important it is to recreate the voice in playing this music
• Appreciating the high standard of musicianship on the course
• How ‘who you know’ and ‘musical exposure’ as AS important as musical ability for performers
• How lovely you have been in welcoming interested musicians of all cultural and religions backgrounds
• That I really want to take Klezmer music further and hope that I will both encourage others and be encouraged by those with more experience than myself
• How my standard of playing is higher in smaller more intimate groups with a lot of mutual encouragement and understanding of individual personalities
• Making new friends with similar interests and priorities in life!

Thank you for everything. I was very upset at the prospect of returning home. The KlezFest Experience had been a massive learning curve and a wonderful experience. What a brilliant inspirational team of musicians. Wow! Thank you again (Sue Shortland-Webb, Birmingham )

‘It felt like being surrounded by a warm and loving family! Music was great – I learnt a lot but it was more about playing with others and working with others’ (Laoise Davidson, London )

‘Exciting and exhausting – not drained but re-filled and musically refreshed.’ (Elizabeth Spencer, High Wycombe )

‘Klezfest was excellent this year – joyful, fun, motivating, inspiring, warm and spiritual.’ (Madeline Solomon, London )

‘A wonderful week of Jewish song, very emotional. Met so many kind and friendly people. Will have fantastic memories.’ (Camille Maalawy, Egypt via London )

‘It has helped me to learn more about the history and content of the music, dancing and singing [that] I love, get fresh insight, new ideas, improve my technique and enjoy ensemble work with others.” (Elizabeth Irving, Manchester )

‘It was an extremely important experience for me. The creative and nourishing environment, I had a privilege to be in during this week was very much enriching and encouraging to carry on exploring and performing Jewish Music!’ (Tanya Gutova, Moscow )

‘I enjoyed much of what I experienced this week, in particular working with Shura, Lorin and the Russian singers/composers.’ (Judith Silver, London )

‘Singing in unison and parts:- excellent organisation by Shura to make sure the timetable worked and everyone knew what to expect. All the teachers were good but Shura was exceptional – gave generously of herself to make the experience deeply spiritual.’ (Nina Essex, London )

‘days of feelings happy and learning. It’s not just about the music, the atmosphere is what draws people as well. Being together with people in a team, a group, sharing a vibe and a feeling. The food this year was excellent. Round tables again added to the warm atmosphere. The presence of the Russians added real depth, soul and talent into the mix, they are an amazing bunch. I know. I met them in Kiev and fell in love with all of them. Thank you.’ (Penelope Solomon, London )

….and from a member of the faculty

As a teacher in New York’s KlezKamp for 18 years, I can tell you that KlezFest was one of the very best Klezmer weeks for me – for all the positive energy there, for a great collective staff, great neighbourhood and shul, fine food and hotel etc – there was a real ‘family feel to this group of people which was helped by the fact that it was a relatively small no but it was really an amazing combination of folks from all over the globe! Bravo!

Read what people who have been before have to say about previous KlezFests in London.

'KlezFest was one of the most moving and life enhancing events I have had the privilege of attending. Indeed there was magic, lots of it. It is not possible for me to express in words all that I feel.' (Barbara Peltu, UK)

'I thought the Klezfest was a fantastic success and would love to have the opportunity to participate in a discussion about the future.. thanks' (Zalmen Mlotek)

'It was an extraordinary experience. So intensely enjoyable, absorbing, informative. You did fantastically assembling a group of tutors and participants who were not only deeply talented, but also wonderful teachers. Often these can be mutually exclusive! And for a (beginner) like me, it was wonderful that it was all completely accessible, without being patronised and, I hope, without making things dull for the Yiddish mavens (experts). Your own warm approach combined with you enviable organisational skills made the very complex programme run incredibly smoothly— at least from my perspective as a participant!' (Marion Janner, UK)

'Just wanted to say thank you for all your work. It really was a great experience— I learned a lot and had fun too!' (Judith Silver)

'I really thought that KlezFest was a tremendous success. The atmosphere was magical—such an enthusiastic and interested bunch of people. I had no idea that so many musicians and practitioners and Yiddish speakers would come. The thing that really blew me away (having never partaken in a KlezKamp before) was hearing so much Yiddish spoken - it was incredible hearing people break into Yiddish as an international language in the class. Suddenly there were British, French, German, Russian and Americans conversing in a language which they all understand (and I thought to be practically extinct)— it really brought home to me the importance of ethnic rather than national roots.
But everything was brilliantly and efficiently run - the classes, lectures, the concerts—I realise that this was down to your star team - but it was really the very fact that it happened in the first place that i have been so impressed with. I wanted to let you know that I am very keen that YaD remain involved with Klezfests in the future. Best wishes and thank you for a remarkable week' (Josephine Burton, YaD UK)

'A shaynem dank, a huge thank you for the incredible KlezFest you arranged in July 2001 in London. We spent great moments together with so many beautiful artists, we exchanged and learned so many things ... The London Klez-Fest is going to become a must for all the klezmorim and all the people having interest in Jewish music in Europe.
I really hope to meet all of you there next year!
Blayb-zhe mir gezint!' (Michel Borzykowski, Friends of Jewish Music, Switzerland)

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'Slipping of to Yiddish Land'
Abigail Wood (Music Department, University of Southampton) on the KlezFest 2003.

It's that time of year again, when my acquaintances and colleagues give me sideways glances: 'You spent a week doing what?...' If you weren't there, it's difficult to sum up KlezFest in just a few words. While the rest of London was distracted by the Wimbledon final and the hottest weather of the year, eighty or so of us slipped off to Yiddishland for a week. It began in style, with a concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall showcasing cutting-edge klezmer music, from the intimate sounds of the Strauss-Warschauer Duo, to supergroup Brave Old World- surely the Beatles of Yiddishland - and a live performance of Solomon and SoCalled's HipHopKhasene. The audience was dancing in the aisles: the KlezFest spirit had arrived.

Abigail Wood (left) with KlezFesters
jamming on the grass

For four non-stop days we played klezmer music, danced Yiddish dances, ate, breathed, and slept in Yiddish, from a 9am dance session, through repertory, instrumental and ensemble classes, to late-night concerts and jam sessions. Teaching people at all levels, from beginners to advanced klezmorim, the staff were a group of the most respected professionals of today's Yiddish music world. It's difficult to underscore enough the importance of this kind of experience for the developing UK klezmer scene: since the klezmer world is still heavily North America-based, this is one of few opportunities to hear at first hand the best musicians playing klezmer today, and to study with those same musicians, acknowledged world authorities in their fields. And KlezFest is not only an individual experience. Together we worked on freylekhs, bulgars and horas and began to build a shared repertory. Last year, when the staff left the final jam session, away went the klezmer and out came jazz and showtunes. This year, we played and danced klezmer until the small hours. To me, this was one step further in the coming of age of contemporary Yiddish music in the UK: building a community with a common knowledge of tunes, dance steps, and, not forgetting the popular Ot Azoy course, the Yiddish language too. For those new to klezmer, KlezFest offers a week of immersion into not just a music, but a culture and a way of life. For the more experienced, KlezFest is a chance to catch up with old acquaintances and make some new ones, to enjoy speaking Yiddish over the dinner table, to ask questions, share anecdotes and immerse oneself even deeper into the well of Yiddish music. For everyone, it's a place not only to make music of a high calibre, but also to build the shared experiences and memories that make a community. This year certainly ranged from the weird to the wonderful, as KlezFest made a political statement in more ways than one. On the first night, an impromptu klezmer band joined a large anti-fascist demonstration outside SOAS; nobody there that evening will forget how after an hour or so's music drowning out their chants, several members of the National Front were eventually escorted off the scene by the police, followed by a group of musicians, KlezFesters and Marxists, reclaiming the street as we danced a slow hora into Russell Square: the music and dancing in the park continued until dark. Later in the week, we gathered at the House of Commons for an equally memorable reception as part of the inauguration of the JMI International Forum for Yiddish Culture.

As KlezFest moves from strength to strength, then, one thing is clear: Yiddish music is live and kicking, and here to stay in the UK, thanks to the Jewish Music Institute.

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