Guest Artists

Internationally acclaimed clarinetist DAVID KRAKAUER redefines the notion of a concert artist. Known for his mastery of myriad styles including classical chamber music, Eastern European klezmer music, the avant-garde, rock and jazz, Krakauer lies way beyond "cross-over." Krakauer is in demand worldwide as a guest soloist with the finest chamber music groups. Recent collaborations have included the Tokyo String Quartet, the Eroica Trio, the Kronos Quartet, the Lark Quartet, the Mendelssohn String Quartet and the Empire Brass Quintet. Programs ranged from Brahms and Bartok to Schoenberg and Golijov.

JACK "YANKL" FALK is a traditional Jewish cantor and Yiddish singer, plus founder and host of Portland's "Yiddish Hour" radio program, now in its 25th year on KBOO-FM. He has toured extensively throughout Europe and North America with Hungary's premier klezmer ensemble, Di Naye Kapelye, with whom he appears on the newly-released compilation "The Hidden Gate" (Rounder). He has also collaborated with director Michael Griggs on theatre projects in Oregon, Hungary, and Poland, and has appeared as featured vocalist with Don Byron's Mickey Katz Orchestra, Uri Caine's Mahler Project, the Black Cat Orchestra, and Klezmocracy.

Andrew moved to Portland in 1991 from Texas. As former member of the San Antonio Symphony and founder of the chamber music group, MUSICOPIA, he also has a World Music side. He performed gypsy folk music, bluegrass and jazz in restaurants, and at Seattle's Folklife Festival played with 'Boyz of the Lox' and the "Mobessarabians". He teaches violin and chamber music at the Community Music Center.

What excites you about September's "Crème de Klezmer" Concert?
First--I hate making walls between classical and folk music--it's not one or the other. The composers we're playing in September have put folk elements into their compositions and if I have any say in the making of the performance, it will be to make the music sound as "Klezmer" as I can to bring that spirit out.
What is Klezmer?
"Klezmer" is the Yiddish word for the traditional celebration music used by Jewish communities all over the world. It came to the U.S. with the large scale Jewish immigration at the turn of the century. It pretty much died out after the war as the musical tradition was not passed down. But in the 60's and 70's there was a tremendous revival of this style of music as people began to explore their roots. And now with the 'world sound', it is just soaring!
Who performs Klezmer in Portland?
There is an amazing group of Klezmer musicians in various combinations of bands. I play in several, including Hora Tziganye with accordionist Martin Morgenbesser. Lev Liberman, another Portlander, was one of those people actually responsible for the resurgence of Klezmer as we know it today, as well as 'Yankl' Falk, who has been performing in Portland and elsewhere in the world for over 20 years.

Crème de Klezmer

Saturday, September 13, 2003 - 8:00 PM

THE CONCERT IS OVER BUT THE SPIRIT LIVES ON SEE PHOTOS FROM THE RECEPTION