Innovative Jewish Ghost Music

Frank London

A Night in the Old Marketplace (Soundbrush, 2007)

Klezmer musician Frank London (The Klezmatics) explores the darker side of music on A Night in the Old Marketplace. Accompanied by well known musicians from the New York jazz and world music scene, he uncovers operatic songs about death, ghosts and other frightening subjects, including drownings, klezmorim (Klezmer musicians) lured to their deaths, dead singers in purgatory and much more.

The musical work is based on I.L. Peretz’s Yiddish work, A Night in the Old Marketplace, a Jewish ghost story that reflects centuries of Jewish folklore. Alex Aron talked to Frank London about creating a musical work based on the play. "Being a theater director, I wanted to reach into the deep emotional currents that flowed under this chaotic and philosophical play, and decided to approach it through music," says Alex Aron. "The music on this CD is our response to the challenges set forth a hundred years ago by a visionary Jewish writer." 

The participating musicians include Manu Narayan, Lorin Sklamberg, They Might be Giants, Susan McKeown, and Craig Weddron

Buy A Night in the Old Marketplace.

Author: Angel Romero

Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.

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