MOUNT VERNON – The monthly “Music in America” series features Klezmer music and is presented by Columbus resident Marian Funk on Thursday.
Marian has performed at the monthly Chautauqua series in Mount Vernon and brings a one man — one woman band approach to the musical form.
The term klezmer comes from a combination of Hebrew words: kli, meaning “a useful or prepared instrument, tool, or utensil” and zemer, meaning “to make music” leading to k’li zemer , literally “vessels of song” or “musical instrument.”
The genre originally consisted largely of dance tunes and instrumental display pieces for weddings and other celebrations. The genre has its origins in Eastern Europe. In the United States the genre morphed considerably as Yiddish-speaking Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, who arrived between 1880 and 1924, met and assimilated American jazz. During the initial decades after the “Klezmer Revival,” this was what most people knew as klezmer, although in the current century musicians have begun paying attention to the “original” pre-jazz traditions. Klezmer is easily identifiable by its characteristic expressive melodies, reminiscent of the human voice, complete with laughing and weeping.
The programs take place at ThePlace@TheWoodward, 111 S. Main St., Mount Vernon. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the program starts at 7. Admission is donation based.
Published on February 27, 2012
