Romanian-born cymbalom virtuoso Joseph Moskowitz began performing publicly at the age of eleven and made his first U.S. appearance in 1908. Popular among Jewish and East European immigrants in New York, he made a series of fascinating records in 1916 that form the heart of his cultural legacy. In 1996, Rounder Records brought out an entire CD devoted to Moskowitz, with 17 titles dating from 1916, two from 1917, three from the late '20s, and two from 1953. Moskowitz developed his excellent technique in Europe and built up a ...
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Romanian-born cymbalom virtuoso Joseph Moskowitz began performing publicly at the age of eleven and made his first U.S. appearance in 1908. Popular among Jewish and East European immigrants in New York, he made a series of fascinating records in 1916 that form the heart of his cultural legacy. In 1996, Rounder Records brought out an entire CD devoted to Moskowitz, with 17 titles dating from 1916, two from 1917, three from the late '20s, and two from 1953. Moskowitz developed his excellent technique in Europe and built up a diverse repertoire serenading patrons in the cafes of New York City. His 1916 recordings include Klezmer, Turkish, Greek, and Romanian dances; a medley of Ukrainian melodies including the lively kicking kazatska dance; an Argentine tango, a Spanish waltz; a Roumanian shepherd's lament known as the Doina or Doyne; a Hungarian Czardas, the famous "Hungarian Dance No. 5" by Johannes Brahms, and two fascinating examples of novelty ragtime played on the cymbalom: the marvelous "Operatic Rag" and the "Panama Pacific Drag." Moskowitz's early recordings have piano accompaniments by Max Yussim and Eddie King. Two records cut in 1928 (a Serbian dance called "Prinz Carol" and the Hebrew "Hora Batuta," which is subtitled "Don't Step on My Foot") are rare examples of Moskowitz performing with an ensemble, in this case the Alexander Olshanetsky. Two recordings from late in life have piano accompaniment by Bela Hargy (or as they'd say in the old country, Hargy Bela). This album is a precious trove of ethnically diverse early 20th century entertainments. Highly recommended for those who wish to engage in creative nostalgia, ancestor reverence, lineage healing, and old-fashioned relaxation. ~ arwulf arwulf, Rovi
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