Suggestive chamber klezmer in Yiddish and Ladino
Photo: Karl Gabor
Stahlhammer Klezmer Classic
In 1920 violinist Semmy Stahlhammer’s grandfather and uncles founded The Stahlhammer Ensemble, and gave concerts in Poland until 1939. During the Holocaust all members were killed except one. Semmy grew up in Sweden to become one of Scandinavia’s leading violinists; First Concertmaster of the Stockholm Royal Opera, teacher with the Stockholm Royal Music College, and as solo artist on numerous CD recordings. Semmy has brought his grandfathers and uncles old ensemble to life with new members: Miriam Oldenburg (accordion) and Isabel Blommé (cello).
What do you do when you are in despair? You play of course, and you sing your heart out. This is what people have done in all times, and this is an experience that the Jewish people can share with other people in diaspora.
The music of Anne Kalmering & Stahlhammer Classic tells the story of the European experience of both the past and the present. The musicians trace their family backgrounds from Poland, Russia and Germany, and their music represents the rich variety of the Jewish music heritage in both folk and classical music. The songs are from a long gone world, kept alive by this unique music ensemble. They tell stories from the deepest sorrow to the greatest joy. There are poems of love, misfortune, happiness, poverty, and friendship – and as we listen, the Yiddish tradition creates a bridge to the human experience of Europe today.
In the song My little boots, for instance, a woman sings that she would follow her lover anywhere, just to be with him – lyrics that could be applied to many poor people in Europe today: I would sell my boots / and ride around in wagons / Just to be with you… I would go to railroad stations / and sell scarves to strangers / just to be with you
VIDEO:
Di sapozhelech (My little boots)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OickfUfiA2
Di mezinke (The youngest daughter)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dheLDnysMek
With excellent reviews Anne Kalmering & Stahlhammer Klezmer Classic has performed together at festivals, in concert halls, for the Swedish Parliament, the Royal Family, as well as for children.
PRESS
“Klezmer music with soul and feeling/…/…musicians on the highest level. Coupled with soulfulness and a feeling for the origin that brings the concept klezmer to a deeper and almost spiritual dimension /…/ The songs are in Yiddish and Ladino that grew from the Jewish exilculture… as the music in mixing different cultures. It´s colourful and poetic. Anne Kalmering singing is low key and sensual /…/The expression intimate but intense/…/Very sensitive ensemble playing is in the making. .. but it´ s in the softly, lyrically and wistfully I want to stay”
Östgöta Correspondenten 2009 (Swedish daily paper)
http://www.corren.se/nyheter/klezmermusik-med-sjal-och-kansla-4958218.aspx
“… Jewish folksongs from Sephardic and Ashkenazic tradition, colourful and personal interpretated by Anne Kalmering & Stahlhammer Klezmer Classic”
Ingrid Strömdahl, Svenska Dagbladet 2014 (Sweden’s second biggest national daily paper)
• Anne Kalmering & Stahlhammer Klezmer Classic just finished recording a new CD, VAYTER (Moving on) with suggestive chamber klezmer in Yiddish and Ladino, release in April 2016
• The radioprogram Zing! was recently broadcast in the Swedish Radio with 7 songs with songtexts and translations on the webb http://www.ur.se/Produkter/187633-Zing!-Friling
• Anne Kalmering is hosting 4 feature programmes in Swedish national television,
• The new land of Aaron – A guide to Swedish Jewish history, where Anne Kalmering & Stahlhammer Klezmer Classic also performs in every episode.
• With the interactive concert Tshiribim – A trip to Yiddishland, Anne Kalmering & Stahlhammer Classic has performed and met around 2500 schoolchildren.
They will continue touring in Sweden with the concert 2015 – 2016 .
