John Zorn’s score for Filmworks XX: Sholem Aleichem

Concert Supported by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Admission: $20 YIVO members & students: $15

John Zorn and his ensemble will be featured in the first-ever live performance of music Zorn wrote to accompany the documentary film Sholem Aleichem, Laughing in the Darkness. Drawing on and departing from traditions of Jewish music such as Klezmer, Zorn’s score is filled with lyricism, color, and a keen sense of irony and dark humor, echoing the stylistic approach of Sholem Aleichem. The performance will feature John Zorn, accordionist Robert Burger, harpist Carol Emanuel, and the world acclaimed Masada String Trio; Mark Feldman, Greg Cohen, and Erik Friedlander. 

(All event photos by Melanie Einzig.)

About the Artist

Drawing upon his experience in classical, jazz, rock, hardcore punk, klezmer, film, cartoon, popular, world and improvised music, John Zorn has created an influential body of work that has defied academic categories. Born and raised in New York City, he is a central figure in the Downtown Scene, incorporating a wide variety of creative musicians into various compositional formats. His work is remarkably diverse and draws inspiration from Art, Literature, Film, Theatre, Philosophy, Alchemy and Mysticism as well as Music. He founded the Tzadik label in 1995, runs the East Village performance space The Stone and has edited/published six volumes of musician's writings under the title ARCANA. Honors include the Cultural Achievement Award from the National Foundation for Jewish Culture and the William Schuman Prize for composition from Columbia University. He was inducted into the Long Island Hall of Fame by Lou Reed in 2010 and is a MacArthur Fellow. In 2012 he was honored by the American Academy of Arts and Letters and given three honorary doctorates from SUNY Purchase, New England Conservatory and the University of Ghent.