Tsimbl (cimbalom)
Pete Rushefsky
Germina Gordienko
Lepyansky Brothers Ensemble
The tsimbl (cimbalom, or hammered dulcimer) is one of the oldest instruments in eastern European Jewish music, along with the violin, flute and drum. Pictures exist of Jewish troubadours with a tsimbl strung around their neck. They fulfilled a harmonic / rhythmic function, as can be heard in the recordings below, but some virtuosi also branched out as soloists.
Klezmer tsimbl players in the late 19th and earlier 20th centuries included:
Russia Lepyansky Brothers
USA Joseph Moskowitz
Klezmer tsimble players in the later 20th century and today include:
Canada Daniel Kunda Thagard, Dan Druff, Eric Stein
Finland Daniel Shaul (also oboe)
Netherlands Michiel K. Weidner
Russia Germina Gordienko, Zheka Lizin (also drums)
USA Kurt Bjorling (also clarinet), Josh Horowitz (also accordion), Paul Morrissett (also double bass), Pete Rushefsky (also guitar, banjo), Walter Zev Feldman
Goldensteyn's Hora played by Alex Kontorovich (clarinet) and Eric Stein (tsimbl)
A hora learned from the Moldovan-born klezmer clarinetist German Goldenshteyn
Alte Sher performed by Germina Gordienko and Mitia Khramtsov
Cimbalom Doina and Hora performed by Freilach mit Kneidlach
with Daniel Shaul on tsimbl
Orientalish Melodien (Oriental Melodies) played by Max Leibowitz (violin) with tsimbl accompaniment (c1916)
Sadigurer Chusid played by Joseph Moskowitz (1916)
Tsimbl solo
Gedankn far di neytike arbeters (Meditation for the Essential Workers) composed and performed by Pete Rushefsky
Written in 2020 during lockdown. Example of a piece for listening rather than dancing.
Zev Feldman and Andy Statman in Concert (1978)
Zev Feldman (tsimbl) and Andy Statman (clarinet and mandolin) were young researchers at the time of this concert
Jewish Wedding Song played by the Lepyansky Brothers Ensemble (1930)
Medley featuring tsimbl ensemble accompanied by piano, including a Dobriden-style tune and 'Little Sher'.
Jewish Folk Song played by the Lepyansky Brothers Ensemble (1930)
Tsimbl ensemble accompanied by piano, including an upbeat version of 'Nakhes fun Kinder'.