Klezmer, anyone?

[John Craton]

Would like to know if there are any experienced klezmer players out there who could assist me on a project. My current opera, a burlesque, has a wedding scene in which the rabbi asks the maestro for "a little klezmer music, if you please." Having never before composed in that genre, I'd like someone with a background in klezmer to look over that section of the score to see if I've captured the right flavor. It is scored for chamber orchestra, and this section also includes a mandolin. Private e-mails will be okay, and I could either send the file in Sibelius or post it as a Scorch file. Will much appreciate any assistance. Thanks!

[JimD]

I have played quite a bit of Klezmer and have also played mandolin in the pit orchestra for David Schiff's opera "Gimpel the Fool".

I'd be happy to take a look but I use Finale. Any chance you could send it as a PDF file?

[JimD]

P.S. to my last reply:

I am into full time teaching now (ah, the pleasures of September...) and have a number of performances. Time may be a little tight. Just let me know how quickly you would need a response.

[John Craton]

Thanks, Jim. I'd need a reply reasonably soon, but it's not extra urgent. I did have someone contact me by e-mail who also volunteered to give me some feedback. If you're up to it (and don't mind the assualt to your auditory senses), I have managed to put the Scorch files on my website so that you should be able just to view them on your computer's browser. Let me know if you'd like me to send you the links.

[JimD]

I would be very interested to hear your work. Please do send the links. I'll try to get to it bt Friday at the latest.

By the way, was it Seth Austen who also responded? He is one of my partners in the Klezmer band, a fine mandolinist (and multi-instrumentalist) and knows much more about Klezmer than almost anyone I know. He often contributes to the discussions here.

[John Craton]

Thanks, Jim. As the work is still in draft form, I'd rather not post the URL publicly. If you could drop me a private e-mail with your address, I'll send you the link that way. Thanks again.