Naftule Brandwein

Naftule Brandwein (1884–1963)

Brandwein was born in Przemyslany, Galicia (now Ukraine), into a family of klezmer musicians, part of the Strettener Hasidic dynasty of Rabbi Yehuda Hirsch Brandwein of Stratyn. His father, Pesakh Brandwein, was a badkhn, violinist and leader of his family kapelye (band), which traveled throughout eastern Galicia. Naftule was one of 14 children his father had with four different wives. He had nine brothers and four sisters; his sister Henrietta was his twin. His brother Moyshe played violin, French horn, and valve trombone, Mendel played piano, Leyzer played drums, and Azriel played cornet; Azriel became Naftule's first music teacher, and had a lasting impact on his playing.

In 1908 Brandwein emigrated at the age of nineteen to the United States where he quickly became a star of the 78 rpm record era, proclaiming himself the "King of Jewish Music". Thus, he was considered to be among the first wave of American klezmer artists, those trained in the Old World, as opposed to the second generation who learned their skills in America. Between 1922 and 1927, he cut twenty-four records, first as a member of Abe Schwartz's orchestra, and then as a solo artist after 1923.

Brandwein was known as much for his colorful personality as for his musical talent, often playing with a neon sign, reading "Naftule Brandwein Orchestra", around his neck, and with his back facing the audience, to conceal his fingering tricks. He also wore plugged-in Christmas lights as part of his costume on several occasions, which once shorted out when he perspired too much, almost electrocuting him. His wild style incorporated not only the influence of Jewish music, but also flourishes of Greek, Turkish, and Gypsy music. His warm and lively playing style would constantly jump up and down the scale and express itself in trills, slides and other ornamentation; he is often contrasted to the other famous klezmer clarinettist of his time, Dave Tarras, who had a more conservative but nonetheless very talented playing style.

Brandwein was known not only for his clarinet virtuosity but also for his wild, sometimes impetuous actions. He played hard and he lived hard. He was a womanizer and drinker, and some said that if you hired Naftule for your party all you had to do to keep him satisfied and playing all night was to provide him with plenty of liquor and a lady. He was known to be the favorite klezmer among the Jewish gang Murder Inc. His on- and offstage antics made it difficult for him to stay with only one band, as his fellow players grew tired of his histrionics. Brandwein was a member of the Joseph Cherniavsky Yiddish-American Jazz Band, the Abe Schwartz Orchestra and even Leo Reisman Orchestra!

His career soured from the mid-1920s onward, as demand for his traditional approach to klezmer music waned; he made his last recording in 1941 and lived out his final years in relative obscurity, playing in the Borscht Belt.

с дополнениями wikipedia.org

[78RPM]

Naftule Brandwein's Orchestra A Hore Mit Tzibeles Columbia 8073-F 1925

Naftule Brandwein's Orchestra Bulgar Ala Naftule (Naftule Brandwein) Columbia 8073-F 1925

Naftule Brandwein Dem Monistrisher Rebns Khosidl Emerson 13237 1922

Naftule Brandwein's Orchestra Doina and Nachspiel Victor 73940 1923

Naftule Brandwein Freilicher Yontov (Naftule Brandwein) RCA Victor 25-5053 1941

Naftule Brandwein's Orchestra Honga Ciganesta Victor 78043 1925

Naftule Brandwein Kalarash Tanz Columbia E7780 1922

Naftule Brandwein Kleine Princessin (Naftule Brandwein) RCA Victor 25-5053 1941

Naftule Brandwein Naftule Shpilt Far Dem Rebn Emerson 13237 1922

Naftule Brandwein's Orchestra Odesser Bulgar Dance Victor 78043 1925

Naftule Brandwein Roumeinishe Doina Columbia E7780 1922

Last update 16-02-2009