Yiddish songs, ballads, stories, legends - that's where music and texts connect to create an evocative world. And that’s what we will be exploring during the Yiddish Song Workshop of Yiddish Summer Weimar 2016. read more
Yiddish songs, ballads, stories, legends - that's where music and texts connect to create an evocative world. And that’s what we will be exploring during the Yiddish Song Workshop of Yiddish Summer Weimar 2016.
Since Bobe Mayses – a Yiddish expression for tall tales and legends – is the special theme of YSW16, we will look into the textual sides of songs; multilingual songs, epic and narrative songs, legends and legend-making, folklore and fake-lore. And who could better guide this exploration than this year’s outstanding teaching team?
For the first time in Weimar we welcome the troubadour, song maker, poet and underground legend Psoy Korolenko, famous for his wordplay with songs and texts. Psoy will introduce us to what he calls Spell-Art/СпелАрт/שפּיל אָרט , i.e. intermingling of languages, time periods and cultures, a method that embodies border-crossing and hybridity. We’re also delighted to welcome back Michael Alpert, 2015 recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship for his lifelong work researching and preserving and transmitting traditional Yiddish song, and for his artistic contribution to New Yiddish Song. Revolutionary singer and songwriter Daniel Kahn brings his unique take on Yiddish repertoire, old and new, story songs, and translating songs, legends and stories from one linguistic or cultural context to another. Sasha Lurje contributes her vast repertoire and deep understanding of vocal practices and techniques. This already outstanding team is rounded out by two Artists-in-Residence: Svetlana Kundish, whose artistry, magical voice and cantorial experience are unique and multi-instrumentalist Christian Dawid, who brings a profound knowledge of Yiddish instrumental repertoire and style to an artistic exchange with vocalists.
This workshop is for you if you are interested in traditional song or looking to create new material yourself. The Yiddish Song Workshop is open to intermediate and advanced vocalists with previous experience singing in Yiddish. For any questions don't hesitate to contact Sasha Lurje, the coordinator of this workshop: sasha@forshpil.com
Workshop fee: Standard 515 € / Reduced 395 € / Supporter 715 € / Under 18: 180 € For information about the Standard, Reduced and Supporter fees >> read about >> Registrationback
You can enjoy three weeks of Yiddish studies in 2016, taught by some of the best teachers and specialists in the world, and surrounded by the incredibly rich cultural program of Yiddish Summer Weimar with its jam sessions, concerts, and many other events.
In three consecutive weeks, we offer week-long classes for Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced. The classes build on each other, and you can take all three in a row. Of course, if you only have one or two weeks free, you can take just one or two courses, according to your Yiddish language level.
If you want to take part in the third class, which is being offered by Professor Simon Neuberg, you already need a good knowledge of Yiddish, or to have worked hard in the first two courses. Anyone who took part in the intermediate course last year is also very welcome to come to Professor Neuberg's class.
Our Yiddish classes are being offered in cooperation with the Seminar for Jewish Studies, University of Halle-Wittenberg. College students can receive credit for their participation. For more information about this, please send an email to: registration@othermusic.eu
Beginners Jul 10 – 16 With Janina Wurbs We are very sad to have to announce that our dear friend and colleague, Dorothea Greve, passed away on May 14. She very much wanted for the Beginning Yiddish Language class to take place even without her. The board of other music e.V. has decided to invite Janina Wurbs to teach this year's class. Janina is an experienced Yiddish teacher and Yiddishist with loads of experience in folklore and music. She is connected to Yiddish Summer for many years and we are looking forward to welcoming her at YSW. read more
Beginners Jul 10 – 16 WithJanina Wurbs We are very sad to have to announce that our dear friend and colleague, Dorothea Greve, passed away on May 14. She very much wanted for the Beginning Yiddish Language class to take place even without her. The board of other music e.V. has decided to invite Janina Wurbs to teach this year's class. Janina is an experienced Yiddish teacher and Yiddishist with loads of experience in folklore and music. She is connected to Yiddish Summer for many years and we are looking forward to welcoming her at YSW.
Workshop fee: Standard 460 € / Reduced 355 € / Supporter 635 € / Under 18: 180 € For information about the Standard, Reduced and Supporter fees >> read about >> Registrationback
Intermediate Jul 17 – 23 With Helen (Khayele) Beer This workshop is now fully booked. Please write an email to helena.heimbuerge@othermusic.eu if you want us to put you on the waiting list for this course. We will then inform you in case of a vacancy.read more
Intermediate Jul 17 – 23 With Helen (Khayele) Beer This workshop is now fully booked. Please write an email to helena.heimbuerge@othermusic.eu if you want us to put you on the waiting list for this course. We will then inform you in case of a vacancy.
We are very proud to have Dr. Beer come to Weimar to teach this course for the first time. Khayele, a native Yiddish speaker, has taught the language to many Yiddish music luminaries of our days and has participated in numerous Yiddish summer programs in Oxford, Brussels and Paris. She is a dedicated teacher full of humor and energy and is highly appreciated by her students.
This course will simultaneously focus on speaking, reading and writing in Yiddish. On a daily basis students will engage with Yiddish grammar, language exercises, Yiddish texts, writing practice and conversation in Yiddish. Reading materials will be a varied selection drawn from Yiddish poetry, prose, newspaper articles and song texts. The materials will be taken from a range of sources and will be distributed to all students. Watch the speed of your own progress and expect an intensive week which combines hard work and fun!
Workshop fee: Standard 460 € / Reduced 355 € / Supporter 635 € / Under 18: 180 € For information about the Standard, Reduced and Supporter fees >> read about >> Registrationback
Advanced Jul 24 – 30 WithSimon Neuberg Special topic: J.J. Trunk Among the many works of J.J. Trunk is a particularly witty modern edition of the Bobe Mayses, based on the prose version that was popular in the 19th century... read more
Advanced Jul 24 – 30 WithSimon Neuberg Special topic: J.J. Trunk Among the many works of J.J. Trunk is a particularly witty modern edition of the Bobe Mayses, based on the prose version that was popular in the 19th century. (This can be found, for example, in J.J. Trunk: Kvaln un baymer, New York 1958, pp. 222-320.) This text, as well as other prose pieces by J.J. Trunk (his many essays or non-fiction pieces and his stylistic experiments) are ideally suited to the overall theme of this year’s Yiddish Summer Weimar – Bobe Mayses. Participants are also welcome to contribute ideas and materials to the classwork.
Workshop fee: Standard 460 € / Reduced 355 € / Supporter 635 € / Under 18: 180 € For information about the Standard, Reduced and Supporter fees >> read about >> Registrationback
What are the specifics of Yiddish instrumental style? How is klezmer music different from other East European musical traditions, and what does it share with other styles? How do tunes change in oral tradition, and how can we use musical variation ourselves? What can instrumentalists learn from Yiddish vocal style? We will look at these questions in depth, this year with a special focus on klezmer music from Poland, a repertoire still little researched. read more
What are the specifics of Yiddish instrumental style? How is klezmer music different from other East European musical traditions, and what does it share with other styles? How do tunes change in oral tradition, and how can we use musical variation ourselves? What can instrumentalists learn from Yiddish vocal style? We will look at these questions in depth, this year with a special focus on klezmer music from Poland, a repertoire still little researched.
We are thrilled to announce the return of three of the most influential artists and teachers of the klezmer revival: master fiddler Cookie Segelstein, accordionist, tsimblist, composer and klezmer theorist Joshua Horowitz, and multi-instrumentalist and klezmer bass pioneer, Stuart Brotman. As famed super-group Veretski Pass, they have recently joined forces with renowned clarinetist and klezmer scholar Joel Rubin to create their latest project, Poyln (Poland), inspired by writer I.L. Peretz's ‘A gilgul fun a nign’ (Metamorphosis of a Melody). The musical repertoire of Poyln researches the connections between Polish and Jewish music and will be presented and worked on in the workshop.
Joined by Amit Weisberger and Christian Dawid, the teaching team will direct master classes, sessions on klezmer history and theory, instrumental classes and ensembles, with a close look at melodic variation and transformation. Special guest teacher Sasha Lurje will introduce instrumentalists to Yiddish song, language and Yiddish vocal style, which deeply informs klezmer style.
Participants in this workshop should be comfortable learning and playing by ear and should be comfortable playing at least 15 pieces of the ‘standard’ klezmer repertoire. Intermediate and advanced sections of this workshop will meet separately some of the time and together some of the time, depending on the topic.
Intermediate and advanced players of other folk music may also apply after consulting with workshop coordinator Christian Dawid: christiandawid@gmail.com
Workshop fee: Standard 515 € / Reduced 395 € / Supporter 715 € / Under 18: 180 € For information about the Standard, Reduced and Supporter fees >> read about >> Registrationback
In the 2015 Children’s Song Workshop, we looked at a very special woman and her stories and poems for children. Kadia Molodowsky was a teacher of children at Yiddish schools in Warsaw. Especially for the workshop, Alan Bern, director of Yiddish Summer Weimar, composed music to some of her poems. The result convinced us to continue with this lovely topic in this year’s workshop. read more
In the 2015 Children’s Song Workshop, we looked at a very special woman and her stories and poems for children. Kadia Molodowsky was a teacher of children at Yiddish schools in Warsaw. Especially for the workshop, Alan Bern, director of Yiddish Summer Weimar, composed music to some of her poems. The result convinced us to continue with this lovely topic in this year’s workshop. Alan Bern will be composing more melodies and songs for us. As usual, we won’t only be singing but also acting, drawing, reciting poems, and making things for our concert.
This workshop is suitable for children and the young-at-heart from 7 – 120.
This is what you need to bring with you: a folder to keep the songs in, paper, scissors, pencils, paint brushes and paint, glue, and so on. Anything else? If you have any of these: An umbrella, clothes, aprons (perhaps an leather apron for a boy), headscarves, flowers (not real ones), a doll or your favorite soft toy, old sheets for the stage. We will be sending you an email with more details later.
Workshop fee: Children & Youth: under the age of 14: 150 € / Youth 14-17: 180 € Adults: Standard: 405 € / Reduced: 315 € / Suporter: 555 € Family (up to 2 children & 2 adults/parents or grandparents): 550 € >> Registration For this workshop, discounts are available only for early bird registration and for members of other music e.V.back
In tandem with the Yiddish Dance Workshop, the Yiddish Dance Orchestra Workshop explores the essential question - “what exactly is Yiddish dance (and music)?” During the workshop we will listen to recordings of American and European klezmer ensembles and soloists from last century to understand the key elements of their playing. read more
In tandem with the Yiddish Dance Workshop, the Yiddish Dance Orchestra Workshop explores the essential question - “what exactly is Yiddish dance (and music)?” During the workshop we will listen to recordings of American and European klezmer ensembles and soloists from last century to understand the key elements of their playing. We will also work with old klezmer manuscripts and bring them to life with insights gained from the old recordings. And most importantly, we will play lots of great music throughout the whole week, culminating in the Friday night Klezmer Dance Ball! This year, in addition to Yiddish music, we will also visit neighboring cultures to learn more about Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Roma and other music and dances that interacted with Yiddish dance repertoire. The teaching team includes renowned klezmer musicians Ilya Shneyveys, Emil Goldschmidt, Hampus Melin, Zilien Biret and Alan Bern. They will share everything they've learned during many years of researching Yiddish music and playing for dancing. The 6-day workshop is coordinated by Ilya Shneyveys and includes orchestra work, classes on style, repertoire and instrument technique, playing by ear and reading music, accompa-nying the dancers in the Yiddish Dance Workshop, nightly jam sessions and more! All instruments are welcome!
If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact: ilya@shneyveys.com
Workshop fee: Standard 405 € / Reduced 315 € / Supporter 555 € / Under 18: 180 € For information about the Standard, Reduced and Supporter fees >> read about >> Registrationback
Have you ever asked yourself what it is exactly that makes Yiddish dance “Yiddish?” How is it different from Israeli folk dances or traditional dances from the Balkans? How are Yiddish and other Eastern European dance forms interconnected? If these questions make you want to know more, then the Yiddish Dance Workshop 2016 in Weimar is the place for you. read more
Have you ever asked yourself what it is exactly that makes Yiddish dance “Yiddish?” How is it different from Israeli folk dances or traditional dances from the Balkans? How are Yiddish and other Eastern European dance forms interconnected? If these questions make you want to know more, then the Yiddish Dance Workshop 2016 in Weimar is the place for you. This year, we are once again offering two parallel workshops: one for everyone and one for advanced Yiddish dancers. Each day, the two groups will meet together for about a third of the time. That way, the participants from both groups can benefit from the different repertoires and approaches of our three dance masters, Erik Bendix, Steve Weintraub and Andreas Schmitges. There will also be a dance music workshop going on at the same time, and – as every year – all the dancers will be accompanied by live music. Much of the time we will be dancing to the ecstatic music of the Yiddish Dance Orchestra, with more than 30 musicians led by Ilya Shneyveys and the team of Emil Goldschmidt, Hampus Melin, Zilien Biret and Alan Bern. In its centuries-long history, there has been constant interplay between Yiddish dance and the dance and music worlds of neighboring peoples. Today's Yiddish dance repertoire has grown from various sources. It can be traced all the way back to medieval and Renaissance Germany where the Mitsve-Tants (a dance form that is still practiced today) was born. The Sher and Patshtants are probably also of Western European origin. From these and various other Western and Eastern sources, a core repertoire of Yiddish dance evolved that is at the heart of the workshops. We will be looking at questions of style, at those movements that go beyond mere choreography and reach the essence of the dances – like ornaments and phrasing in music.
At the same time we will go to the borders of Yiddish repertoire in Eastern Europe and look at dances from Poland, Russia, Romania, and Ukraine. We’ll examine their stylistic peculiarities, looking closely for any similarities to Yiddish dance. We are delighted to welcome the American dance master Erik Bendix back to Weimar to take charge of this “border repertoire”. back
This course with Erik Bendix and Andreas Schmitges is for newcomers and for those of you who have already been to any of our other courses or have learned the dances elsewhere. read more
This course with Erik Bendix and Andreas Schmitges is for newcomers and for those of you who have already been to any of our other courses or have learned the dances elsewhere. This is how dance master Erik Bendix describes the course: “How do you make a foreign dance tradition your own? How do you step over the cultural borders of movement without forgetting where your come from and in which language of movement you are at home? Or are you never at home and if so, how do you get over it? What are you saying when you dance? What do you want to say? I’m offering a course that teaches Yiddish dance repertoire and the repertoires of neighboring cultures, with the aim of asking questions about identity. These questions won’t be discussed, but will be experienced on the dance floor. We will look at imitation, leading and following in dance, feeling secure in your movement, showing respect, improvising within a traditional dance language, playing with rhythms, interacting with the musicians, following an intention or the thread of a story. We will look at all of this bearing in mind the question: Where am I at home? Where am I crossing borders?”
In the first two days, you can switch between the Yiddish Dance for Everyone workshop and the Advanced Dance Workshop, to make sure you’ve found the workshop that’s right for you. After that, we ask that you remain in one workshop for your own best learning experience. If you have any questions at all, please send an email to the coordinator, Andreas Schmitges: schmitges@aol.com
Workshop fee: Standard 345 € / Reduced 270 € / Supporter 470 € / Under 18: 180 € For information about the Standard, Reduced and Supporter fees >> read about >> Registrationback
Steve Weintraub is offering a course for advanced Yiddish dancers who want to delve more deeply into Yiddish dance. The main focus will be on improvisation and the unwritten rules of dance. read more
Steve Weintraub is offering a course for advanced Yiddish dancers who want to delve more deeply into Yiddish dance. The main focus will be on improvisation and the unwritten rules of dance. We will look at, analyze, and combine typical elements so that you will learn to dance to absolutely every kind of klezmer music, and you will find it easy to creatively integrate the various elements into the different dance types from Khusidl to Freylekhs and other dances. Other important topics will be solo dance, couple dance, and the role of the dance leader. We will take a close look at dances like the Sher so that we can be creative and playful with the various elements. All of this will enable us to play a part in the continuing development of Yiddish dance.
In the first two days, you can switch between the Yiddish Dance for Everyone workshop and the Advanced Dance Workshop, to make sure you’ve found the workshop that’s right for you. After that, we ask that you remain in one workshop for your own best learning experience. If you have any questions at all, please send an email to the coordinator, Andreas Schmitges: schmitges@aol.com
Workshop fee: Standard 345 € / Reduced 270 € / Supporter 470 € / Under 18: 180 € For information about the Standard, Reduced and Supporter fees >> read about >> Registrationback
Introduction to Klezmer & Yiddish Song Aug 8 – 12 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 3 – 6 p.m.
Since the mid-1980s, klezmer music has become more and more popular in Germany and the rest of the world. But what is “klezmer” exactly? And what does it have to do with Yiddish song? If you’re a musician who plays or sings classical, jazz, world or any other kind of music and you’re curious about these questions... read more
Since the mid-1980s, klezmer music has become more and more popular in Germany and the rest of the world. But what is “klezmer” exactly? And what does it have to do with Yiddish song? If you’re a musician who plays or sings classical, jazz, world or any other kind of music and you’re curious about these questions, then this workshop is for you. Maybe you have some experience with klezmer music or Yiddish song? Then this workshop is perfect for you, too! Under the expert guidance of a world-class teaching team, you’ll explore both dance and listening genres of klezmer music, traditional and popular Yiddish songs and the Yiddish dances that come alive to klezmer music. You’ll learn about the musical, cultural and even linguistic background that ties klezmer music, Yiddish song and Yiddish dance together. You’ll meet other participants from all around Europe and share an exciting musical journey with them in an open, supportive and indescribably fun atmosphere. Open to instrumentalists, singers and dancers of all ages and musical backgrounds. No knowledge of Yiddish or previous experience necessary.
Important: Participants who only want to dance and neither play an instrument nor sing are recommended to take the Dance for Everyone workshop that also takes place during this week.
Workshop fee: Standard 345 € / Reduced 270 € / Supporter 470 € / Under 18: 180 € For information about the Standard, Reduced and Supporter fees >> read about >> Registrationback
The Art of BadkhonesJul 31 – Aug 2 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 3 – 6 p.m.
In the badkhones workshop, the first of its kind at Yiddish Summer Weimar, will will get acquainted with the badkhn, marshalik or lets, the Yiddish jester, the master of ceremony of weddings and events, and consider his function and development from three points of views: historical, social and artistic. read more
In the badkhones workshop, the first of its kind at Yiddish Summer Weimar, will will get acquainted with the badkhn, marshalik or lets, the Yiddish jester, the master of ceremony of weddings and events, and consider his function and development from three points of views: historical, social and artistic.
Firstly, we will try to follow how this function evolved in history, what function it fulfilled in Jewish society and how it influenced the development of Yiddish creativity. Connected to many aspects of Jewish life, we find the badkhn as ‛subversive factor’ accomplice in the development of parody and humor. He develops tools and melodies to move the surroundings through a whole register of emotions. He stands at the beginnings of Yiddish poetry and song, both on the level of entertainment and of social engagement. The other part of our encounter will be hands-on: learning from historical and contemporary badkhonim we will try to get the gist of their art and apply it into our own realms of creativity.
This course is run entirely in Yiddish and those who would like to participate as badkhonim will need a good knowledge of the language and some skills as singers. If you feel that your spoken Yiddish or your singing isn't yet good enough for you to take an active part in the course, you are more than welcome to attend, learn about the traditions at first hand, and listen to the stories and melodies – which might inspire you to work on your skills and participate in the course more actively in coming years.
If you have any questions about this workshop or whether it is right for you, please contact Andreas Schmitges: schmitges@aol.com
Workshop fee: Standard 225 € / Reduced 180 € / Supporter 300 € / Under 18: 180 € For information about the Standard, Reduced and Supporter fees >> read about >> Registrationback
The Art of Storytelling Aug 3 – 5 10. a.m. – 1 p.m. & 3 – 6 p.m.
The storytelling workshop, the first of its kind at Yiddish Summer Weimar, will be an intensive exercise in finding, crafting and presenting stories in Yiddish. Topics to be covered include:
• Sources for Yiddish stories. We’ll look at the range of topics and approaches in classical Jewish literature (the Bible, Talmud, Midrash and similar rabbinic sources); Ashkenazi folklore, both written and transcribed; Hasidic tales and post-classical parables and fables; and modern Yiddish literature... read more
The storytelling workshop, the first of its kind at Yiddish Summer Weimar, will be an intensive exercise in finding, crafting and presenting stories in Yiddish. Topics to be covered include:
• Sources for Yiddish stories. We’ll look at the range of topics and approaches in classical Jewish literature (the Bible, Talmud, Midrash and similar rabbinic sources); Ashkenazi folklore, both written and transcribed; Hasidic tales and post-classical parables and fables; and modern Yiddish literature. We will also examine how non-Jewish material has been imported and assimilated and how these techniques can be applied not only to pre-existing materials but also to stories rooted in the teller’s life and experience; that is, ways of finding and developing new material and making it Yiddish. • The differences between reading a story, acting a story, and telling a story. • Traditional storytelling techniques – voice, delivery, pacing, use of props, and so on – with special emphasis on those Yiddish linguistic features that help to cue or direct listeners (and thereby retain their interest). • The roles of translation, repetition, and explanation when telling Yiddish stories to people with little or no knowledge of Yiddish.
Participants will also be called on to tell stories of their own in a masterclass setting and receive feedback from both the instructor and his or her fellow-students.
This course is run entirely in Yiddish and those who would like to participate as storytellers will need a good knowledge of the language. If you feel that your spoken Yiddish isn't yet good enough for you to take an active part in the storytelling, you are more than welcome to attend, learn about the traditions at first hand, and listen to the stories ̶ which might inspire you to work on your Yiddish skills and participate in the course more actively in coming years.
If you have any questions about this workshop or whether it is right for you, please contact Andreas Schmitges: schmitges@aol.com
Workshop fee: Standard 225 € / Reduced 180 € / Supporter 300 € / Under 18: 180 € For information about the Standard, Reduced and Supporter fees >> read about >> Registrationback
Following last year’s successful premiere, we’re happy to bring back the Choir Workshop in Yiddish Summer 2016. Choir groups and individual singers from all parts of Europe and beyond are invited to join, with the option of performing at the Klezmer Dance Ball on Friday evening. read more
Following last year’s successful premiere, we’re happy to bring back the Choir Workshop in Yiddish Summer 2016. Choir groups and individual singers from all parts of Europe and beyond are invited to join, with the option of performing at the Klezmer Dance Ball on Friday evening. Led by Polina Skovoroda Shepherd, an internationally renowned Yiddish choir leader, composer and performer, the workshop is open to all singers who can read music or are able to learn by ear.
The workshop will introduce repertoire and explore specific questions in Yiddish singing, including language, musical style, history and cultural context: What makes a choir sound Yiddish? How can a Yiddish song arrangement be different from other Jewish choral repertoire? How traditional or modern can a Yiddish choir be? The workshop will include Yiddish choir music ranging from traditional SATB arrangements to fully improvised material.
If you have questions about the program or whether this workshop is right for you, please write to Polina Shepherd: polina_shepherd@yahoo.co.uk
Workshop Fee: 120 € Standard / 90 € Reduced / 150 € Sponsor We regret that we can’t offer early bird discount for this workshop. >> Registrationback
