Press Reviews
“Expert players... A fantastic collection of nostalgic reveries.” — Songlines Magazine
fROOTS
"The group’s fidelity to klezmer’s rich past has been consistently coupled with a subtle and forward-thinking experimentation.. It’s a record of uninhibited playing, of travelling from town to town, inn to inn, dismantling otherness and difference through singing, dance, humour and sometimes emotionally wrought composition." fROOTS
Songlines
"The expert players of the London Klezmer Quartet here weave their skills together to create another carefully crafted sonic offering, taking the listener on a trip through the highs and lows of Yiddish tradition. As is so often present in klezmer, joy is close to sorrow and vice versa; the wistfulness of the first song, ’Feygele’, is countered by the celebratory mood of ‘A Gleyzele Jaś’, while another song is devoted entirely to the especially emotive subject of beetroot soup." Songlines Magazine
Evening Standard
"Last weekend the London Klezmer Quartet were playing at the annual Klezmer in the Park event in Regents Park. They’ve been going since 2009 and are one of the best bands in the UK playing Jewish klezmer music.
The repertoire is sometimes traditional or composed by members of the band, but they are so engrossed in the idiom that it all sounds seamless."
London Evening Standard
"The opening track here - Nifty’s Freylekhs - makes it clear this is a quality group. Susi Evans’ clarinet sounds like two players duetting on different instruments. Evans, who also plays with the Balkan music band She’Koyokh, has a deep knowledge of the klezmer idiom, as do her colleagues in this all-female quartet. While the arrangements are acoustic and traditional, the playing is energetic and fresh. With artistry like this, the music doesn’t need to be reinvented." Simon Broughton, London Evening Standard
Evening Standard
It may seem odd to find the shtetl being rebuilt inside the M25, but there’s no lack of authenticity in the exuberant yet cultured playing of the violinist Ilana Cravitz, accordionist Carol Isaacs, clarinettist Susi Evans and double bassist Indra Buraczewska. While there’s no shortage of dynamism here the musicians dig deeper, too, bridging classical poise to the more introspective pieces. The tradition is safe in the hands of the next generation. Sunday Times
Sunday Times
Australian Jewish News
The exuberant sound of Eastern European music by the London Klezmer Quartet was one of the highlights of this years Port Fairy Folk Festival in western Victoria, attended by over 15,000 people. After a successful Australian tour in 2012 it was no surprise to see the talented quartet invited to play at this years prestigious festival. Australian Jewish News
BBC Radio 3 'In Tune'
Radio appearances
ABC’s Music Show – part 1
“The real fruits of our musical garden are in the studio with us right now on In Tune here on BBC Radio 3 - the London Klezmer Quartet are here! Violin, clarinet, piano accordion and double bass are poised to play for us, to garland the In Tune studio with the sound of Nifty’s Freylekhs”
BBC Radio 3
“The fact you’re called the London Klezmer Quartet - is there a specific London sound? — Absolutley - we are the embodiment thereof”.
ABC’s Music Show with Andy Ford
ABC’s Music Show – part 2
“Let’s talk about some of the characteristics of klezmer. I’m particularly interested in some of the modes and some of the ornaments and i’m wondering if you could demonstrate the odd thing for us?”
ABC’s Music Show with Andy Ford
The media says:
"The London Klezmer Quartet is one of the best purveyors of the music of Eastern European Jewish heritage" The Music Show, ABC Radio National
“A fantastic sound with inventive arrangements, virtuosity, exciting original tunes and soulful playing.” Songlines Magazine
"Exuberant yet cultured playing... no shortage of dynamism here... The tradition is safe in the hands of the next generation." Sunday Times
“When Buraczewska sang, all the earthiness, profound melancholy and celebratory joy you could desire came surging to the fore via her vast, singular contralto.” Sydney Morning Herald
"The real deal, to these ears.” Doug Spencer, The Weekend Planet, ABC Radio National, Australia
"One of the best ensembles playing this kind of music in the world." Northern Daily Leader, Australia
“The London Klezmer Quartet proved to be one of the most popular instrumental groups at the [National Folk] festival… Their infectious repertoire of much-loved, toe-tapping klezmer tunes from Eastern Europe wowed the crowds… all played with passion and flair.” Australian Jewish News
"I like LKQ and I like their albums." Max Rheinhardt, Radio 3
"The show was quite marvellous yesterday. I am SO glad I managed to get to hear you all. Thank you for a thrilling afternoon." Miriam Margolyes, Perth
"My parents were Holocaust survivors and although they are long gone, your music brings back the best and warmest of memories for me, and you perform the music really wonderfully." Brian Fine, London
You were amazing and I'm so glad I travelled the five hours to see you. I hope you have a great year. You've made mine. Nola Camden, Perth
"Appreciate your sheer skill, feeling for music, syncronosity with each other, audience interaction and and your obvious enjoyment in performing this wonderful traditional music steeped in joyful and very sad history." Kate Allen, Maitland
Fans say:
Musicians say:
"The LKQ is made up of four of Europe's most talented klezmer musicians. They are great performers and teachers and bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and excitement to their performances." Frank London, The Klezmatics
"The London Klezmer Quartet is the much-anticipated collaboration of some of the finest klezmer talent in the UK. They are educators, innovators and emerging leaders in the international klezmer scene. It's a pleasure to hear such gorgeous traditional playing full of "groove" and so many creative and joyful twists!" Deborah Strauss, klezmer violinist, The Strauss/Warschauer Duo
“The London Klezmer Quartet brims with musicality and elicits every emotion possible in my soul... I want to laugh, I want to cry, but most importantly I want to dance!”Amy Ray, Indigo Girls
