Klezmer concert keeps the tradition alive,
February 23, 2007

Klezmer Concert La Quinta Esencia Thurs, Mar 1, 7pm El Viejo Topo Café-Teatro Stirling Dickinson 28 Plaza Pueblito 150 pesos

Klezmer music originated in Eastern Europe before the second World War. Jews in their communities, shtetls, played this type of music at parties, weddings and other social events. Genocide at the hands of fascism abruptly interrupted this tradition, and few musicians or musical materials were saved from the Holocaust. Those artists who could migrate had to adapt themselves to new cultures and to set aside most of their traditions.

Nevertheless, grandsons of these emigrants became interested in their roots, rediscovering this joyous, traditional music.

Opinions about the meaning of the word “klezmer” differ. The term comes from Hebrew, but Giora Feidmann, clarinetist, composer and pioneer of the new klezmer movement, states that klezmer means “a musician who sings through his instrument.”

Klezmer music has become the subject of historic research—through recordings and scores—of Jewish traditions and of new ways to interpret music. In the same ways that persecuted Jewish and Gypsy musicians in Central Europe and the Balkans shared their art and instruments, years later in the United States the new musicians favored the evolution of klezmer, with its fusion of jazz and other musical genres. In addition, this type of music was spread all over the world by musicians and composers such as Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland, who listened to this music in their youth, along with non-Jewish musicians such as Shostakovich.

Twenty years ago, klezmer music began to grow in popularity and is now considered an important branch of “world music.” The musical group La Quinta Escencia was founded seven years ago in San Miguel de Allende, and most of its repertoire is devoted to klezmer music.

Gilberto González (bass) and Anita von Ballmoos (accordion) arrange and create new tunes following the klezmer tradition. For this concert, González and Ballmoos are accompanied by exceptional musicians Julián Arcos (guitar) and Robert Kaplan (drums and vocals).

Shannon Day gives encore performance 

Shannon Day Fri, Mar 2, 7:30pm Sala Quetzal, Biblioteca Pública Insurgentes 25 100 pesos

Shannon Day’s last two concerts sold out, so by popular demand she returns for one more show, titled “I Like It This Way.” The performance features some of Shannon’s favorite musical numbers, including several works by composer Stephen Sondheim along with songs made famous by Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Barbra Streisand and Carmen Miranda.

Day is uniquely gifted at crossing styles and genres of music. She sang and recorded professionally with the San Francisco and Atlanta Symphony choruses and has also performed with various jazz bands in Florida and California. Her first professional theatrical role just happened to be her dream role: Eva Peron in Evita. She has performed in Brazil, Mexico, Europe, the US and Canada. Most recently she performed at New York City’s Birdland and The Duplex.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Language of Photography, a free digital photography program for the children of San Miguel de Allende. This program promotes positive cultural exchange, appreciation of differences and encourages self-worth via cross-cultural dialogue and creative exploration. For more ways to help, contact Elizabeth Rosas at Libbyrosas@gmail.com. 

Tickets for the concert can be purchased at the Biblioteca Pública.

Coxe to play the finest of the best
By B. K. Lake

Piano concert
Nigel Coxe

Sat, Feb 24, 8pm

Sun, Feb 25, 5pm
50/150 pesos

Nigel Coxe, a fixture on the international concert circuit for more than 20 years, plays piano pieces he considers among the finest by several great composers at Pro Musica concerts on Saturday and Sunday.

“The programs include Mendelssohn’s two greatest solo piano masterpieces and one of Mozart's loveliest sonatas as well as a beautiful Mozart rarity, the ‘Allemande,’” Coxe said. He also plays “Schubert's most famous set of Impromptus from his last year and the ‘Berceuse’ and ‘Barcarolle’ and Chopin’s F-sharp Impromptu, for me some of his most exquisite works.”

The concert on Saturday includes “Sheep May Safely Graze” from The Birthday Cantata by J. S. Bach; Impromptus D.899 by Schubert; three pieces from Bartok’s Mikrokosmos Book 6; Berceuse op. 57 and Impromptu in F sharp op. 36 by Chopin; and Rondo Capriccioso op. 14 by Felix Mendelssohn.

The Sunday concert includes Allemande Suite K399 and Sonata in C K330 by Mozart; Variations Sérieuses op. 54 by Mendelssohn; three preludes by Gershwin; a Polish song, “My Joys” by Chopin, arranged by Liszt; Liebestraum No. 3 by Liszt and Chopin’s Barcarolle op. 60.

Tickets are available at La Tienda at the Biblioteca; Casa de Papel, Mesones 57; La Conexión, Aldama 3; the Sierra Nevada Hotel, Hospicio 46; and at the St. Paul’s church office, Cardo 6, weekdays between 11am and 2pm. Tickets may be reserved by calling 152-0387 during those hours or purchased at the door one hour before concert time.