Books: "The Book of Klezmer - The History, the Music, the Folklore," by Yale Strom

Paul E Comeau(Comeauville, NS, Canada)

The Book of Klezmer-the History, the music, the Folklore

by Yale Strom

A Cappella Books ISBN 1-55652-445-5 (2002); 368 pp.; $28

Besides being a filmmaker and the author of five previous books, Yale Strom is also a well-known klezmer musician and the leader of two groups, namely Hot Pstromi and Klazzj. The Book of Klezmer is the result of his extensive research from having made over 50 trips to Eastern Europe over the years. Strom covers the evolution of klezmer from the 14th century to the 21st, starting with early Yiddish music, wandering Jewish minstrels, and leading to the subsequent limitations imposed on the musicians' activities, which in turn...