Three Klezmer Miniatures is Philip Sparke’s third work based on traditional Jewish klezmer melodies after Shalom! and A Klezmer Karnival. Klezmer music originated in the ’shtetl‘ (villages) and the ghettos of Eastern Europe where itinerant Jewish troubadours known as ’klezmorim‘ had performed at celebrations particularly weddings since the early Middle Ages. In Three Klezmer Miniatures Philip Sparke used the traditional tunes Sham Harei Golan Nigun Shel Yossi Tumbalalaika and Hava Nagila.

Chatzkele is a work based on two traditional Jewish melodies Oifn Pripetchik and Chatzkele. The first expresses a sentiment of deep sadness and nostalgia reminding the listener of the suffering that the Jewish people have undergone over the centuries. The second melody illustrates the unshakeable optimism which drives the Jewish community despite all terrible forms of intolerance it has endured. A wonderful cultural work which your audiences young and old will enjoy for many years to come.

The Yiddish word ‘Klezmer’ has been derived from the Old Hebrew words ‘Kley’ (tool instrument) and ‘Zemer’ (song singing making music).Klezmer is the traditional music of Jews from Eastern Europe.Yiddish musicians (Klezmorim) were regularly invited to come and play at Yiddish weddings as well as several other Jewish celebrations and festive occasions. Despite its close connection with traditional Eastern European folk music Klezmer music has succeeded in preserving its distinctive Jewish character. ‘Klezmer Discovery’ is a voyage of discovery through the richly varied music of the Jewish people from Eastern Europe.The introduction consists of a number of motives from differenttraditional melodies (a Mitzve Tenzel and L’cha Dodi) followed by a melody in 3/8th time (Kandel’s Hora). This dance melody originally came from Bessarabia (present-day Moldavia) and was taken along to America by Jewish musicians round 1900. Subsequently ‘Der Terk in Amerika’ a composition by famous clarinet player Naftule Brandwein can be heard. A number of fast cheerful dance melodies (bulgars) form the finale of ‘Klezmer Discovery’ (Lebedyk un Freylekh Lomir sich iberbetn and Sherele).