What is special about Jewish music and how did Ukraine contribute to its development? — opinion

Michal Stamovaa translator of the “Aggadah” of Jewish prayers into Ukrainian and an expert on the history and culture of the Jewish community, in her interview for “Hromadske Radio”writes Project Kesher, discusses Jewish musical traditions in the context of centuries-long interaction with Ukrainian cultureShe represents a look at Jewish music as an important part of spiritual life and cultural heritage, with a special emphasis on klezmer music that developed in Eastern Europe, including Ukraine.

Michal is a specialist in the history, culture and traditions of the Jewish community, a consultant on Jewish education for the Kesher Project, a master of Jewish studies, and a member of the Ukrainian Association of Jewish Studies.

Jewish music and traditions

Stamova notes that Jewish music has a thousand-year history. Even in the Jerusalem Temple, worship was accompanied by music; Judaism has a positive attitude towards musical creativity, considering it a way of glorifying God. Music occupies an important place in the Torah, and in the Jewish tradition, man is perceived as a creator, created in the image of the Almighty, so the expression of musical talents is part of the religious ritual.

She also talks about David, one of the main characters of the Jewish religious tradition, who was not only a king but also a musician. His songs and melodies, recorded in the Tanakh, are part of the world musical culture, despite the fact that the original melodies have not reached us.

Klezmer music as an element of cultural interaction

Michal explains that klezmer music originated in Ukraine and other Eastern European countries such as Belarus, Moldova and Poland. The klezmer tradition is a uniquely Jewish phenomenon, closely linked to Ukrainian musical traditions. One of the most important researchers of klezmer music was Moisei Beregovsky, who managed to preserve a significant amount of Ukrainian klezmer despite Soviet prohibitions. He collected music recordings in Jewish ghettos and small towns, documenting the klezmer traditions that existed in various regions of Ukraine.

Klezmer ensembles, Michal says, were often multinational, as musicians played at Jewish, Ukrainian, Moldovan, and Rusyn weddings, creating cultural interaction. Particularly in western Ukraine, where different ethnic groups lived side by side, bands could adapt their repertoire to suit any occasion. Thus, klezmer music became an important part of multicultural interaction in Ukraine.

Nigun and Sacred Music

Stamova pays special attention to the nigun, a special genre of Jewish music that is a prayerful chant without words. Nigun is considered spiritual music that serves as a way of communicating with God. Many Jewish composers created complex vocal and instrumental pieces based on the nigun. These melodies played an important role in Hasidism, a religious movement that also arose in Ukraine and became a significant part of Jewish spiritual life.

She mentions such characteristic elements of Jewish music as “krecht” – special vocal techniques, when the melody suddenly changes depending on the emotional intonation. This technique is used both in vocal works and on instruments such as the clarinet or violin. These specific features of Jewish music form its recognizability and uniqueness.

The Influence of Jewish Music on World Culture

Michal emphasizes the influence of Jewish music on world culture, noting that famous musicians such as George Gershwin and Bob Dylan drew inspiration from Jewish musical traditions, especially klezmer music. Gershwin, for example, adapted klezmer techniques, such as the characteristic clarinet transitions, into his piano works.

Jews and the musical image of the violinist

Stamova talks about the image of the “Jew with a violin,” which became a symbol of Jewish culture in the mass consciousness, especially thanks to the works of Sholem Aleichem. This image was reflected in music and literature. She mentions the famous phrase that Jews invented stand-up comedy to laugh at themselves, and this humor is reflected in music. The fiddler on the roof became a metaphor for the difficult life of the Jewish people, where the violin symbolized the desire for joy despite difficulties.

Multiculturalism of Klezmer Music and Modern Problems

Klezmer music, Michal notes, has seen a resurgence in Ukraine in recent decades, particularly in the 1990s and 2000s, when klezmer festivals emerged in various parts of the country. However, Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 has greatly slowed this process, as many Jewish and Ukrainian musicians have been caught up in the fighting or forced to emigrate.

She also mentions that Odessa chanson is sometimes mistaken for klezmer music, although these are different genres. However, such misconceptions arise from the common cultural background formed by centuries of cohabitation of Jews and Ukrainians.

Interaction between Ukrainians and Jews through music

Michal emphasizes that Jewish and Ukrainian musical traditions have been closely intertwined for centuries, especially in regions such as Podolia and Western Ukraine. Ukrainians and Jews exchanged musical traditions, which led to the creation of unique mixed ensembles that played at various holidays and ceremonies.

Contemporary Ukrainian musicians such as Andriy Levchenko are actively exploring the interaction of Jewish and Ukrainian music, including in a historical context. Levchenko, according to Michal, pays special attention to the study of the musical traditions of Podolia, a region where Ukrainian and Jewish cultures intersected particularly closely.

Thus, through music, new paths of mutual understanding and cultural dialogue are opened between Ukrainians and Jews, which is important both in historical and modern perspectives, especially in light of the difficult political and social situation in both countries.

What to listen to in Jewish music?

“From Ukrainian Jewish music, I would recommend listening to Gennady Fomin. By the way, he is now in the Armed Forces. We have Natalia Kasyanchik. Unfortunately, she is now in Poland. But she writes her modern nigunas. She is probably the only dombra player in Europe who grew up on the traditions of Ukrainian klezmers. I don’t know if there are any recordings. Perhaps there are recordings of her with London klezmers from the early 2000s.

Of the world klezmers, of course, Daniel Kann. We have many different groups. The same Amsterdam Klezmer Band. Of the Ukrainian ones, Lev Feldman. In Chernivtsi, he had a great ensemble. And even now, I think. It's called Feldman Band.

There is some pretty exciting Jewish klezmer music from Baron Cohen. Sacha Baron Cohen is his brother. They did a pretty exciting album of klezmer music. It's techno-klezmer.

There is klezmer jazz, klezmer rock even. There is Barcelona Gipsy balKan Orchestra, you can listen to them too.

I also want to tell you that we have Andrey Levchenko, our Ukrainian drummer. He did interesting concerts. We met them probably five years ago. He also played klezmer music and Ukrainian music. He did his research on the connection between Ukrainian and Jewish music in Podillya.”

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