Shirim
// Eric Rosenthal, drummerSHIRIM are a classical-Klezmer group from Boston, Massachusetts. Shirim Klezmer Orchestra’s “Of Angels And Horseradish” (1990), and “Naftule’s Dream” (1993) were both available from Northeastern Records, “Klezmer Nutcracker” (1998) was available from Newport Classic, “The Golden Dreydle ” (2001) is available from Rykodisc, “Mayse/Tales” (2003) is available from Naftule’s Dream Recordings, and “Pincus And The Pig: A Klezmer Tale” (2004) is available from Tzadik Records. Shirim Klezmer Orchestra perform klezmerized arrangements of classical compositions. Eric Rosenthal has collaborated with many jazz and blues musicians including Anthony Braxton, David Maxwell, Bhob Rainey, Roswell Rudd, John Voigt, and Jack Wright among others. He is also a band member in the Charlie Kolhase Quintet, the Dave Bryant Quartet, and avant-klezmer groups Naftule’s Dream and Paul Brody’s Sadawi.
Website: www.shirim.com
Photo: Eric Rosenthal / Shirim.com
Interview:
Simply put, “You play what you live”. The great jazz drummer Ed Blackwell first told me that. I like music because, as an observer, you can tell a lot about a person just by watching him or her play their instrument. The way they approach it, hold it, use it, the way they interact with other musicians if it’s not solo, and the way you can see what they expect from those whom they are performing for. It all gives an amazing, almost embarrassing insight into a player. As a player, the road to competency is a meditation. It gives all of the same positive effects so beautifully described by any of the historical traditions that have approached it. After competency it provides that sense of freedom that comes with ease and flow, and the ability to purely express within your medium. That experience is very uplifting, energizing, rejuvenating, and ultimately inspires true generosity. I believe that is the spiritual significance of music.
“Simply put, “You play what you live”… I like music because, as an observer, you can tell a lot about a person just by watching him or her play their instrument.”
– Eric Rosenthal, drummer in Shirim
