This episode continues our exploration of the UK’s klezmer scene. Today, Dan talks to one of the longtime movers and shakers on the scene, violinist, festival organizer, teacher and more, Ilana Cravitz! Ilana is a violinist specializing in klezmer as well as baroque historical performance. She has performed and taught all over Europe and throughout the world. She co-founded the London Klezmer Quartet, which has been a mainstay of the UK klezmer world. In 2015 re-established Klezfest London, also a big home and incubator of the UK scene. In other words, Ilana is someone who has made big things happen on and off the bandstand!
Dan and Ilana have shared stages and festival faculty rosters, but had not gotten to really hang and get into it, so they took this episode as a chance to fix that! They dig into Ilana’s journey towards klezmer, how it took over a large part of her career, and what it means to her today. Along the way, there are plenty of good stories, deep thoughts and jovial connections. This is a Radiant Others episode in classic form. Enjoy!
Music on this episode:
1. Der Yidisher Soldat – London Klemer Quartet
2. Stav Ya Pitu – Ilana Cravitz
3. Tangalle Honga – London Klezmer Quartet
4. Sher – Ilana Cravitz with FDT Klezmorim
Radiant Others is produced by Dan Blacksberg and Beila Ungar. The podcast aims to be the internet’s central space for important conversations in Yiddish and Klezmer music. Please support our work on https://www.patreon.com/RadiantOthers, and tip us as https://tiptopjar.com/RadiantOthers
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