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]

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

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

Dem Monistrisher Rebns Khosidl (Naftule Brandwein) Naftule Brandwein Emerson 13237 1922

Doina and Nachspiel Naftule Brandwein's Orchestra Victor 73940 1923

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

Honga Ciganesta Naftule Brandwein's Orchestra Victor 78043 1925

Kalarash Tanz Naftule Brandwein Columbia E7780 1922

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

Naftule Shpilt Far Dem Rebn (Naftule Brandwein) Naftule Brandwein Emerson 13237 1922

Odesser Bulgar Dance Naftule Brandwein's Orchestra Victor 78043 1925

Roumeinishe Doina Naftule Brandwein Columbia E7780 1922

Last update 01-08-2018