Famous for its expressive music which captures the agonies, ecstasies and melancholy of the human condition, Klezmer music has gripped the Maltese shores and captivated audiences since it was introduced to Malta by the Klezmorimalta Foundation.

Its Dutch founders, Birgit Albrecht and Ralph Bulters, are now seeking to spread their wings further by injecting soul into the local acoustic scene through ‘A Workshop in Klezmer’, which showcased the fruits of its four day labour at the Malta Society of Arts Building in Valletta.

Originally led by the violin, Klezmer music has grown far beyond its humble Jewish wedding roots and nowadays, not only does the violin play second fiddle to the clarinet, but the music itself has evolved to incorporate a palimpsest of genres with influences of gypsy and Balkan music which have added extra flavour to the already hearty mix.

What started as a call for applicants to take part in an almost week-long workshop in Klezmer music, turned into a unique chance for the participants to form part of Malta’s very first Klezmer band.

It was also one of many opportunities created by the NGO for “all musicians and music students who want to learn from and perform with, three world-class acts who have amassed a real wealth of experience”.

Albrecht did not only emphasise the fact that the workshop was a real first of its kind, but added:

“Firstly, it will serve as an introduction to Klezmer music, which is one of the oldest music types in Europe and which has developed into a musical style that is suitable to be mixed with other genres.

“Secondly, it will give participants the chance to learn the techniques of playing different instruments and the unique scales Klezmer music uses. Thirdly, it will also teach improvisation, performance, ornamentation and rhythm in music.”

Apart from being interactive, the workshop was also creative, as the musicians were invited to work in small groups and given the opportunity to compose a new Klezmer tune whilst learning how to play classics such as the ubiquitous Israeli song Hava Nagila.

The music itself has evolved to incorporate a palimpsest of genres with influences of gypsy and Balkan music

Furthermore, apart from being able to network with like-minded Maltese hopefuls, the selected candidates were tutored by some of the best in the Klezmer scene.

The workshop was, in fact, run by three internationally-known, professional musicians who came to Malta specifically for this event.

There was London-based fiddler Chris Haigh, who has performed with the likes of Morcheeba (known for their song Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day) and the traditional Irish troupe Riverdance.

The event also featured the lead of the Yxalag Klezmer Band, Jakob Lakner, who has performed with his band all over Europe; and the accordionist Basil Bunelik, who travels all around the UK performing French chansons with Affinitee.

The workshop culminated in a concert given to the public which effectively demonstrated what can be achieved in relatively limited periods of intensive tutoring.

The featured musicians played beautifully while Albrecht thrilled the audience by passionately lending her voice to a couple of the numbers.

Despite the fact that much about Klezmer lends to the clapping of hands and tapping of feet, I have to admit that my firm favourite of the night had to be the Yiddish lullaby Raisins and Almonds which, in keeping with the lullaby tradition, is a very soft and touching song which gained popularity at the end of the 19th century thanks to Abraham Goldfaden.

Despite the fact that the participants came from different musical backgrounds and disciplines, they were able to play cohesively – much in the fashion of the Klezmer custom of amalgamating different traditions together to form a rich tapestry and fulfilling Albrecht’s wish to have musicians from dissimilar walks of life come together.

“We would like this band to be made up of different musicians from different backgrounds, including jazz, għana, folk, classic and blues,” she said.

“This is vital because we want to create a band with a strong and unique Maltese identity that will appeal to both local and foreign audiences.”

And, in keeping with the Klezmer tradition of playfulness, the selected few will play at this year’s Farsons Beer Festival, between July 24 and August 2.