Yiddish Music Special Concert 2023 / Yiddish Academy Tokyo 2023

X (Cai) Repertory Theater

Eastern European Jewish Music Klezmer Concert

 "Melodies of the Homeland Loved by Chagall vol.16

Yiddish Music Special Concert 2023

Steven Greenman Japan Tour

Japan premiere of "Klezmer Concert Suite for Solo Violin and Orchestra (Greenman composition)

Date: February 23, 2023 (National Holiday) 

15:00 (Doors open 30 minutes before)

Venue: Theatre- X (Cai), Ryogoku, Tokyo

Admission: ￥1,000 High school students ￥500

Performers：

Steven Greenman (solo violin)

Co-performer: Yiddish Chamber Ensemble

1st Violin: Kuriko Yokoyama, 2nd Violin: Keiko Kawamata, Viola: Hidemi Takemoto, 

Cello: Hitomi Niikura, Double Bass: Keito Hasegawa, Clarinet: Chitoshi Hinoue, Flute: Ryota Hamashima

Special Guest: Sayumi Yoshida (Yiddish Dance)

This performance will feature an orchestral work performed by an ensemble of one member from each part, at the suggestion of Mr. Greenman.

The performance time is approximately 60 minutes. The performance will be divided into the first half and the second half with an intermission.

After the performance, Sayumi Yoshida will lead a performance of a representative dance repertoire.

Please enjoy the performance as well.

Overview:

Yiddish music has been popular among the Jewish community of shtetls in Eastern Europe since the mid-18th century and has been passed down from generation to generation.

This is a special program featuring the Japan premiere of all 18 pieces of "The Klezmer Concert Suite for Solo Violin and Orchestra (2018)" with the world's foremost Yiddish violinist and composer Stephen Greenman from the U.S. The suite was composed in the 19th to early 20th century and was performed at weddings in the shtetl. Based on a deep understanding of the traditional music played at shtetl weddings, this is truly a culmination of the work that Mr. Greenman has arrived at through his extensive career and exploration. This is a unique opportunity to experience the essence of traditional Yiddish music in Japan. We hope you will join us.

Steven Greenman (USA, 1966-)

 A leading Yiddish violinist, composer, and educator. He received his Bachelor of Music (1989) and Master of Music (1991) degrees in violin performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and since the 1990s has collaborated with Zev Feldman, Michael Alpert, Dr. Alan Bern, and other leading performers of the klezmer revival in the United States. He has taught at KlezKanada, Yiddish Summer Weimar, KlezFest London, and other international klezmer workshops as well as at universities and other educational institutions. His "Klezmer Concert Suite for Solo Violin and Orchestra" had its world premiere in September 2018 with the Muncie Symphony Orchestra (Indiana).

＜The 5th Eastern European Jewish Music Workshop

Yiddish Academy Tokyo 2023

Klezmer Music and Yiddish Dance

Date: February 24 (Fri.) - 26 (Sun.), 2023 10:30 - 17:30 each day (with a lunch break)

Venue: Theater- X (Cai), Ryogoku City Core 1F, Tokyo

Instructor: Steven Greenman (klezmer music)

Sayumi Yoshida (Yiddish Dance)

*Professional and amateur performers, music college students, singers, dancers, actors, directors, researchers, etc.

*Anyone interested in Yiddish culture is welcome!

*Non-instrumentalists are also welcome. No expertise or language ability is required.

*No expertise or language ability is required.

Participation fee: ¥15,000 for adults, ¥9,000 for students (excluding adult students) (tax included, for all three days)

This is a 3-day workshop.

You can also participate by one day. General ¥5,000/day, Students ¥3,000/day

The final day (Sunday, 26th) 

16:00- Concert and presentation of results (¥500 participation fee, free of charge for WS participants)

16:00-16:30 Concert by Mr. Greenman & professional musicians

(Performed by Hitomi Niikura Vc., Fumi Watanabe Ds., Chitoshi Higami Cl., Ryota Hamashima Fl.)

16:30-17:30 Presentation by WS instructors and participants

The door to "true understanding" of Klezmer

Yiddish music, also known as klezmer, is an expressive culture deeply related to the religious life of Eastern European Jews, which was an integral part of their daily lives. Where do these unique melodies and rhythms come from? What are the meanings of the dance gestures? The keys to these questions can all be found in a true understanding of Yiddish culture.

Efficient learning with our fast-track program for Japanese!

We invite the world's leading artists from abroad to approach the essence of this musical culture through systematic knowledge and direct contact with actual performances and performances. This is a unique opportunity to learn Yiddish music comprehensively in Japan.

Contents: Klezmer music, Yiddish dance, music of non-dance genres, Nigun (song) and Jewish life and culture, etc.

◎Classes will be conducted in English or Japanese. In the case of English, Japanese interpretation will be provided by support staff.

Registration:

Theater- X

or

NPO Yiddish Culture Promotion Association ycra0916@gmail.com

Fax: 075-461-7670