Beschreibung
Klezmer Sonatina is one of my new Klezmer-compositions for an ensemble including recorders. Klezmer Sonatina is dedicated to Veronica Samyn. Veronica Samyn is a talented young recorder player from Belgium.
This Klezmer Sonatina is for 2 recorders and accompaniment. There is a written harp-part. But this can easily be converted to a piano or an accordion as well. Besides that there are chord symbols which are for the guitar but off course chords can be used as a basis for other accompanying instruments as well.
Klezmer Sonatina is a composition in three movements.
The first movement, Chutzpah Freilach, is based upon an old Jewish klezmer theme which I re-arranged. Chutzpah is an old Yiddish word meaning extreme self-confidence or audacity. Needless to say this movement should be played full of confidence.
The second movement is an instrumental version of an old song composed by King Solomon. Eishes Chayil is a special tribute to the Jewish woman. This song sings the praises of the “woman of valor”. This movement is slow and can even have a feel as if ‘standing still’.
The third movement is an all new very fast klezmer melody which I composed especially for Veronica Samyn.
Jewish music like this is not to be played from beginning till end with only set notes. Jewish music of-fers space for personal freedom and interpretation. Therefor you will not find any dynamics in this arrangement. Please feel free to add your own dynamics and make it your own interpretation. Jewish music also contains improvisation. This composition offers the chance to do so. In the first movement the bars 49-52 can be repeated as often as you like. In these bars there is room for improvisation with a Klezmer-like scale. I recommend both recorders taking turns to make an improvisation while the other voices play the steady accompaniment.
Beginning on A, the scale is:
A – Bb – C# – D – E – F – G/G# – A
Improvisation may seem scary at the beginning but remember you can use all the notes of this scale. Just experiment with it and it will give you a nice Klezmer-like sound quite soon.
Please Note: Accidentals are intended. These are different scales (klezmer scales) and therefor have different accidentals than the traditional classical music scales. Please be aware of this.
For a Klezmer-feel you can also insert additional techniques like Flatterzunge, “sputato” etc. Feel free to experiment with this. Remember Jewish music is also about taking your own freedom!
I hope you enjoy Klezmer Sonatina!
Bobby Rootveld
Duo NIHZ
Nordhorn, November 2020
