In a world premiere at Haizebegi, two internationally renowned clarinet soloists present a collaborative performance. David Krakauer is a leading figure in the revival of klezmer music, a jewel of Eastern European Jewish culture that disappeared after the war. Kinan Azmeh, a skilled composer and brilliant performer in the maqam-jazz style, left his native Syria for New York. It was there that the two musicians met and came to appreciate each other’s work. Denis Laborde’s proposal for a concert at the Haizebegi Festival that brings together their styles and instruments offers an opportunity to translate their long-standing friendship into music. They recount the journey behind this new work for two clarinets, accompanied by Kyle Sanna on guitar and Afra Mussawisade on percussion.
— What made you want to take part in this musical collaboration?
— You’ve both studied classical music. How did you come to choose the clarinet as your instrument?
— The clarinet plays a particularly important role in the folk repertoires of Eastern Europe. How did you approach them, David?
— David, can you tell us about klezmer music, a Jewish cultural tradition?
— What musical criteria did you agree on when putting together the repertoire for the premiere you’ll be performing tonight?
— When the idea of this meeting to create something new was first brought up, I was afraid it would be just another one of those meetings that never amount to anything. Is that the case, or do you think the project you developed for Haizebegi will have a future?
— This year, Haizebegi is exploring “the power of music in times of war.” What are your thoughts on both of these topics?
