Brass, Reeds, and Percussion: December 9, 2023 (Klezmer for Hanukkah)

This edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion features holiday music, especially klezmer in recognition of Hanukkah, which starts December 7 and ends December 15. We’ll begin with an Advent hymn and then a medley of Christams tunes. But most of the show will be klezmer, the traditional instrumental music of the Jews of Central and Eastern Europe. Klezmer includes traditional dance tunes and ritual melodies, all enhanced by improvisation. In addition to Jewish religious music, it incorporates music from the Ottoman Empire, Greece, Romania, Germany, and the Slavic communities. Elements of Klezmer have been adopted into Dixieland, big band music, popular music, and jazz.

1. Tochter Zion (Daughter Zion, Rejoice)
   Composer:  George Frideric Handel (music, 1685-1759)
   Performer:  Ulmer Brass Ensemble
   Album:  Instrumental Music for Advent and Christmas
     
2. Christmas Festival (1950)
   Composer:  Leroy Anderson (1908-1975)
   Performer:  Keystone Wind Ensemble
   Album:  Leroy Anderson: Phantom Regiment and Other Tales
     
3. A Freylekhe Nakht in Gan Eydn (A Happy Day in Paradise)
   Composer:  Traditional
   Performer:  Klezmer Conservatory Band
   Album:  Oy Chanukah
     
4. Dreydl Song
   Composer:  Al Sack (1911-1947)
   Performer:  Klezmer Conservatory Band
   Album:  Oy Chanukah
     
5. Three Moods of Hanukkah
   Composer:  Lennie Niehaus (1929-2020)
   Performer:  Washington Winds
   Album:  Happy Holidays
     
6. Feylekhs: Cocek #5
   Composer:  From repertoire of German Goldenshtayn (1934-2006)
   Performer:  Frank London's Klezmer Brass Allstars
   Album:  Brotherhood of Brass
     
7. Some of These Days (1910)
   Composer:  Shelton Brooks (1886-1975)
   Performer:  Panorama Jazz Band
   Album:  Panoramaland
     
8. Lena from Palesteena (1920)
   Composer:  Con Conrad (lyrics, 1891-1938) & J. Russel Robinson (music, 1892-1963)
   Performer:  Klezmer Conservatory Band
   Album:  Klez
     
9. Festival of Hanukkah
   Composer:  Lennie Niehaus
   Performer:  Washington Winds
   Album:  Happy Holidays
     
10. Sleigh Ride
    Composer:  Leroy Anderson
    Performer:  Keystone Wind Ensemble
    Album:  Leroy Anderson: Phantom Regiment and Other Tales
      
11. Nutcraker Suite
    Composer:  Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
    Performer:  Les Brown & His Band of Renown
    Album:  Four Classic Albums