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In the wake of the surprise announcement that the New York Philharmonic has called off its plans for a merger with Carnegie Hall, host John Schaefer speaks with two of the principal figures involved: Zarin Mehta, executive director of the New York Philharmonic and Robert Harth, executive and artistic director of Carnegie Hall. Then, since the klezmer revival in the 1980s, the genre has welcomed a colorful array of styles from the traditional to the cutting edge. But perhaps no group combines the qualities of tradition and experimentation better than the Klezmatics, the New York-based band whose music blends Eastern European Jewish folk music with everything from worker’s marches to Yiddish carnival music. Today, members of the band join us with a preview of their latest recording, titled “Rise Up! Shteyt Oyf!” And Jon Pareles, pop music critic of the New York Times visits to discuss a revival of a different sort – the current renaissance of New York’s rock scene.
Realted Articles:

(WNYC News 10-08-2003) Carnegie Hall and NY Philharmonic call off deal

(WNYC.org 10-08-2003) Carnegie Ends Merger Talks with New York Philharmonic

(WNYC.org 06-02-2003) New York Philharmonic to Carnegie Hall Surprise Move Would Give Orchestra Acoustical Edge

Additional Resources:

More on the CD release party at Joe’s Pub

More about the Klezmatics