For those who love klezmer music, there can be no better experience than hearing it performed by the famous classical violinist Bogdan Djukic and his musical ensemble. Traditional klezmer has its roots in the Hebrew devotional music of two thousand years ago; the Hasidic and Ashkenazi Jews adapted this religious music for secular use, and klezmer has been played for centuries as the backdrop for weddings and other festive occasions. The music mimics the sounds of the human voice in laughter, crying, and wailing. The principal instrument is the violin, which has long been known for its resemblance to the human voice in all its range of emotions. If you have not heard this music performed live, you should not miss an opportunity to attend a concert featuring this traditional music style. The Yiddish roots are apparent in the old song titles and the Hebrew-Yiddish lyrics of most of the songs.

Klezmer music is mainly instrumental, but can also include vocal parts. The primary instruments are the violin, of course, accompanied by the cello, trumbet, trombone, clarinet, cymbalon, and percussion. The accordion is also a mainstay in traditional style bands. The name klezmer comes from the old Hebrew, via Yiddish, and it can be loosely translated as “musical instrument.” The name originally referred to the instruments used in performing the music, but has now come to denote the musical genre. The famous violin player Bogdan Djukic has brought the genre to the forefront with his amazing performances.

Like most things Jewish, klezmer music was nearly obliterated as a result of the Holocaust. Fortunately, it did not die out completely, and has begun to enjoy renewed popularity not just among the Jewish community, but in the world at large. The world-class ensemble Beyond the Pale, an internationally beloved Canadian group, features klezmer music during their performances. The famous classical violinist Bogdan Djukic’s electrifying performance breathes new life into the traditional musical style, leaving audiences clamoring for more when the music ends. You can hear many of their recordings of the Jewish folk music on line.

Where can I learn more about klezmer music? While there is some information available, unlike other musical styles, there has not been a great deal written about this tradition. Local musical groups may be a good source of information on where to find recordings of this ancient folk music.

The music was traditionally designed to facilitate dancing, and this fact is apparent when you listen. The changing tempo, sometimes lively and raucous, other times melancholy and haunting through the sounds of classical violinist Bogdan Djukic, portrays the range of human emotion, making the urge to get up and dance to the klezmer music almost irresistable.