Bivolița draws its repertoire from the early, European sources of Jewish instrumental wedding music but finds contemporary interpretations that draw on the diverse musical experiences of its members. We use tradition as a springboard to new spontaneous interpretations, and a deep appreciation of Yiddish dance rhythms as the foundation for elaboration and improvisation.

Photo: Sean Browne

Musicians

We are grounded in a democratic, chamber music approach to performance rather than reproducing the rigid, hierarchical performance structure of the soloist “klezmer” and his orchestra of unnamed klezmorim.

Programs

Assembled through many years of travel and research, the program includes suites that link nearly forgotten ritual melodies—the dobridens, mazeltovs, scotchnes, and volichs—with more commonly known American klezmer repertoire and co-territorial Moldavian dance music.

Recordings

Both live and studio albums seek to capture an un-fussy approach to recording—favoring a risk-taking and spontaneity over stuffy "perfection."