Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Montreal Klezmer Ensemble Plays Up-Beat Jewish Music
Kleztory performs at Horizon Stage on March 11

Similar to the music they perform, Montreal klezmer ensemble Kleztory is a rich mosaic of cultures (Russian, Canadian, Quebecois and French), musical training (academic and self taught) and musical tastes (classical, contemporary, jazz, blues, country and folk). With roots that go back to 1997, the band has performed in a wide variety of venues in Quebec but credit their cohesion, spirit and signature sound to their street busking experiences. Now in tour across the country, Kleztory will visit Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove on Saturday, March 11.

The traditional music of nomadic Jewish musicians who traveled throughout Eastern Europe in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, klezmer takes its inspiration from the music of the time and a rich, but too often tragic history. Some of its style has come from surrounding cultures, including Russian, Ukrainian, Bessarabaian, Romanian, German and Western. All of these influences are then pooled with a Middle-Eastern sensibility, derived partially from the Ottoman Empire, and an unbroken stream of liturgical music stretching back to biblical times in the land of Israel.

Kleztory founders Alain Legault (guitar) and Mark Peetsma (base) performed more than two hundred concerts together before being joined by the classically-trained Airat Ichmouratov (clarinet). In early 2002 the group added Elvira Misbakhova (violin) and Henri Oppenheim (accordian), and Kleztory was born. Combining their talents, these five musicians play with an emotion and a virtuosity that is the true spirit of klezmer. Their use of innovative arrangements respects the original traditional compositions, but their sound is fresh and unique.

Quickly becoming one of Canada’s most dynamic klezmer ensembles, Kleztory will be Up Close and Personal at Horizon Stage on Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are just $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Call the Horizon Stage Box Office at 962-8995 for more information or to purchase your tickets today!

“ … Sweet nostalgia mixed with wild harmonies … The sound of Kleztory expresses their unique sensitivity combined with a true authenticity of interpretation …”
Marie-Hélène Proulx, Voo.ca, le média de la relève culturelle, Montreal

The band plays in a tight, charismatic manner that makes their professionalism shine … A mix of upbeat, fast-paced music that you couldn’t help but dance to, and a tragic, chamberesque sounding drone that makes you feel as if you were a peasant on the streets of Russia at the turn of the 1900’s”
Sydney Smith, The Link, Concordia University, Montreal.


Be sure to visit
http://www.horizonstage.com/ & http://www.kleztory.com/

Special Thanks to the sponsors for this event: The Alberta Foundation For The Arts, Canadian Heritage, Royal Inn Express, CBC Radio, CBC Television, The Edmonton Journal and Birdsell, Grant, Gardner, Morck Barristers and Solicitors

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