Klezmer Music

The Ukrainian Museum on Second Avenue in NYC advertised Klezmer music. 

http://www.ukrainianmuseum.org/

I had heard only once the life tones of kletzmer music and that was so long ago at the Cloisters, but it always stayed clearly in my mind. When it came up again at the Ukrainian Museum I thought this will be a good! The museum itself is a very new, modern and simple building, white and pristine, featuring different folk art and aspects of the cultural heritage. On exhibition this time were traditional embroidered or woven national costumes, colorful skirts and scarves and hats which looked lovely against the simple white walls of the museum which displayed huge, colorful modern paintings. 

Chairs were set up at the center of the museum in a square. The performers were two men — Michael Alpert, a composer and singer who also fiddled beautifully on his violin, and Julian Kytasty, also a composer and singer who played the bandura instruments of which he had brought at least four or five which he constantly interchanged. These artistic looking instruments date back to the 7^th century and look something between lute and harp.

The concert was NIGHT SONGS FROM A NEIGHBORING VILLAGE, ballads and folk songs from East European Jewish and Ukranian traditions. The two men were very relaxed and entertaining;  Julian Kytasty had brought four or five banduras, large and small,  instruments which he constantly interchanged; plenty of explanations to the program, musings and quips were included. At the end you could not help but sing along (or hum along, at least). Some people in the audience of course knew the Yiddish lyrics and were able to sing along very joyfully. It ended up to be quite some community affair, including some great dancing steps by Michael Alpert — he was in great form. What enjoyment!  And there was a wine and cheese reception immediately after the performance. We were absolutely relaxed and refreshed when we walked out into the New York snow night again — ready for a good meal! Easy to have on Second Avenue. What a nice evening it had been.