Vilnius Old Theatre celebrates International Theatre Day with a concert "Klezmeriai Pohuliankaje" - on March 27, the ensembles Rakija Klezmer Orkestar and YAT (Yiddish Atmospheric Touch) trio will perform, who met in October 2024 on the stage of the famous Paris "Théâtre de la Ville", during the Lithuanian season in France. "Klezmeriai Pohuliankaje" is a continuation of the established creative friendship, an echo of the Parisian performance.
Klezmer music brought the theater hall to its feet
The Lithuanian and French klezmer music ensembles "Rakija Klezmer Orkestar" and the YAT (Yiddish Atmospheric Touch) trio, who met in October 2024 on the stage of the famous Paris "Théâtre de la Ville", during the Lithuanian season in France, will meet on the stage of the Vilnius Old Theatre. Then, the klezmer brought the packed theatre hall to its feet. Concert "Klezmeri in Pohulianka" is a continuation of the established creative friendship, an echo of the Parisian performance dedicated to International Theatre Day.
The ensembles approach klezmer music differently. Listeners will hear contrasting interpretations of klezmer music: Parisian – melodious, subtle, and Vilnius – more frenetic, which is typical of the Eastern and Central European region. Finally, the Parisian and Vilnius interpretations will merge in the ensembles' joint performance. The incendiary, arousing emotions of klezmer music usually does not leave anyone indifferent.
"Rakija Klezmer Orkestar" and the philosophy of klezmer
Klezmeri – wandering Jewish musicians who played at weddings, holidays, and banquets, flourished in the late 18th century – the first half of the 20th century in Ukraine, in Poland, Lithuania, Galicia, Bessarabia. Klezmer music was influenced by the musical folklore of Germans, Ukrainians, Poles, Romanians and other nations. The music, which in the 20th century was on the verge of extinction and has no real homeland or specific place of origin, is called the music of the European Jewish diaspora, and is unique and recognizable to many. In Vilnius, Northern in Jerusalem, klezmer culture has long been an integral part of it. True, this genre reached Lithuania somewhat late.
“Rakija Klezmer Orkestar” is a unique ensemble of professional musicians from Vilnius who profess the aesthetics and philosophy of klezmer music, continuing the Litvak klezmer tradition. The music they perform is also inspired by the ethnic music of the Balkans, Roma and other Eastern European communities. The emotional range of the works is wide – from melancholy to unbridled horror. As befits traveling musicians, their music can be heard in clubs, bars, concert halls, synagogues, festivals, in the city and the countryside, in the forest and by the lakes, at weddings and on the streets. “Rakija Klezmer Orkestar” performances are distinguished by their spontaneity, freshness and energy. The ensemble has released two studio albums: “Rakija Klezmer Orkestar” (2018), “A Chasene!” (2021).
YAT (Yiddish Atmospheric Touch) – a trio from France
YAT (Yiddish Atmospheric Touch) is a trio from France whose repertoire includes Yiddish songs, klezmer, and Romani music. Each member of this trio (Denis Cuniot (piano), Bruno Girard (violin, vocals), Rémy David Yulzari (double bass)) is an exceptional personality.
Denis Cuniot is a virtuoso pianist, composer, and pioneer of the klezmer music revival in France. He gives the klezmer music movement a French sound, and plays Jewish music in his own, non-standard way. He is not an accompanist, but a “dresser” – he observes each phrase being sung, dresses it up, and weaves it into a common fabric. With uninhibited aesthetics and evocativeness, he creates an authentic impression of the sound of Jewish music.
Bruno Girard is a violinist, singer, and one of the founders of the music group "Bratsch". When asked why he sings in Yiddish, he replied that, apart from French, Yiddish suits him better than English, that the lyrics and melodies are excellent, and that he feels a duty to share this part of European heritage with everyone. Bruno's voice is exceptional - low, vibrating, penetrating.
Rémy David Yulzari is a composer, double bassist, who has performed in prestigious concert halls and festivals, and is the founder of numerous ensembles playing everything from chamber music to Romani jazz, klezmer, and Latin music. He has studied composition and orchestral conducting, and is the first double bassist to receive the prestigious Juilliard School Artist Diploma in Performance award.
Vilnius Old Theatre, as a multicultural, multilingual theatre, unites and nurtures different cultures in Vilnius. In its 111th theatre season, it looks back at the history of the theatre and the musical culture that has existed there for many years, and initiates concerts and exceptional musical programmes.
