DETROIT ARTS LIVE AND WORTH HEARING: DSO Hosts Klezmer Giant

2009/12/07 at 3:31 pm · Filed under DETROIT ARTS: Music, Detroit Symphony Orchestra previews, Jewish Connections

Klezmer Madness! Giant David Krakauer and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Premiere Marhulets Concerto

By Vivian DeGain

The Oakland Press, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009

Klezmer Madness! clarinetist David Krakauer collaborates with the best musicians in the world, formerly with the Klezmatics and the Kronos Quartet, and currently with “one of the great masters of funk Fred Wesley and the hip-hop renegade/beat architect Socalled,” Krakauer said from a concert tour in Lyon, France.

Now, the klezmer music giant has collaborated with a contemporary composer and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for this artistic premiere: Wlad Marhulets Concerto For Klezmer Clarinet And Orchestra.

Krakauer, 53, a New York City native and resident, said from his tour in Lyon, France, “Wlad approached me a couple of years ago (when he was 21 years old!) with a demo CD of music. Sometimes the CDs I receive pile up before I can listen to them. But my wife Marissa was curious, played his CD that very day and insisted that I listen to it immediately.

“The second I checked it out, I realized that I was in the presence of a major original talent,” Krakauer said.

“What struck me right away was a remarkably mature compositional voice that had a real point of view, tremendous emotional power and a wicked sense of humor. I had to do something with this amazingly talented person — so I contacted Wlad directly and asked him to write a concerto for me.”

This meeting might be called klezmer meets kismet – except that the meeting followed several years of preparation.

The composer Marhulets, today 23, tells it this way, “My Concerto for Klezmer has a long story behind it. Seven years ago in Poland, I happened to listen to one of David Krakauer’s recordings. It changed my life completely. At that point I knew nothing about music, but his CD made me fall in love with it immediately. This may sound silly, but David’s music inspired me so strongly, that I made up my mind to become a clarinetist and play klezmer music just as he does. Out of the blue, at age 16, I started my musical education studying clarinet, and at the same time trying to compose. I continued to play klezmer and established my own band in Poland.”

In 2008, Marhulets moved to New York from Gdansk, Poland to study at the Juilliard School.

“For years I dreamed about meeting David Krakauer personally and how exciting it would be to meet the person who changed my life and helped me find my passion. In 2007 I came to New York and we met for a quick lunch. I told him this story and gave him my CD, and David contacted me and asked that I write a concerto for him. My dream came true so, this is a very special piece written for Krakauer. It means so much to me to collaborate with him today,” Marhulets said via email from New York.

Krakauer said, “That all this originated from the inspiration he took from my music makes me feel so honored and lucky. The human story here is one of two people, both of Polish Jewish origin from different generations, who grew up on opposite sides of the ocean and came together through this project.”

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra and guest conductor Andrew Litton will host both guest artists to perform the world premiere of the klezmer concerto next weekend (Dec. 10-13). The program also features Holst’s The Planets, Elgar’s Cockaigne and Haydn’s Symphony 67.

The concert anticipates the eights days of Hanukkah, which begins Dec. 11.

Krakauer said, “Hanukkah is a wonderful and fun holiday that children love. But it also has a powerful message of survival against adversity. The story of Jewish people in the United States has largely been a success story, but only after many periods of darkness and anti-semitism in history.”

“So I’ve always presented my music with an attitude of Jewish pride that reflects this spirit of survival and strong cultural identification. On the other hand, I never want to wave a flag or hide behind a wall. Playing klezmer music for me is all about sharing my cultural heritage with everyone and the door being wide open,” he said while currently being deeply involved in an African American/ Jewish musical project called “Abraham Inc” along with Wesley and Socalled.

“Coming from this place, Wlad really understands what I’m all about and in essence created a portrait to capture this spirit. Wlad’s concerto is an incredibly direct piece that everyone can relate to and enjoy immensely.”

Marhulets explores his heritage “most ardently through my compositions and an acquaintance with Leopold Kozlowsky known as the Last Klezmer of Galicia.”

In spite of Marhulets young age, he has composed more that 50 items of orchestral, chamber and solo pieces.

His concerto, “in three movements, alternates two main influences deeply rooted in Krakauer’s discography, funk, and electronics. The initial theme of the first movement introduces a wild musical idea and funky rhythms and a traditional-sounding klezmer tune. The second movement begins with a cadenza that gradually turns into a lyrical melody. A second cadenza leads toward a wild climax, taken over by the finale. The final movement combines two contrasting themes which develop toward a frenzied burst of energy.”

Cadenza, from the Italian meaning cadence, refers to an improvised or ornamental passage performed by a soloist in a free rhythmic style, which allows for his virtuosic display.

Marhulets’ concerto lasts 18 minutes and features two flutes, two oboes, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three percussion players, a drum set, electric bass, celesta, piano, clarinet solo, eight first violins, eight second violins, six violas, four cellos and three contrabasses.

While DSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin programmed the event, The Maestro continues to rest and recover from his recent cardiac procedure. To him especially, Happy Hanukkah and L’Chaim, to life!

Contact writer Vivian DeGain at degainvi@comcast.net.

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra welcomes David Krakauer and guest conductor Andrew Litton to perform the world premiere of Wlad Marhulets’ Concerto for Klezmer Clarinet, and Gustav Holst’s The Planets, Dec. 10-13. Performances at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. Orchestra Hall is at 3711 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. Tickets are $19-$123 Call 313-576-5111 or visit www.detroitsymphony.com.

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