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Joyous and Nostalgic
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Napa Valley Register, Joyous and Nostalgic >>
They have already conquered Europe by sharing the magic and emotion of beautiful Gypsy music. Les Yeux Noirs -- French for "The Black Eyes" -- will be in Napa for one concert only, bringing their music from Romania, Hungary, Russia, Armenia and a good dose of Yiddish folklore, to the Napa Valley Opera House Sept. 3.
What is the relationship between Gypsy and Jewish music? This is a question Eric and Olivier Slabiak -- brothers of Jewish-Polish descent with a Gypsy musical heritage -- are answering with the Paris-based ensemble Les Yeux Noirs.
Les Yeux Noirs takes its name from the title of a Russian Gypsy tune made famous by guitar legend Django Reinhardt in the 1930s. The origin of its name mirrors the image of Reinhardt style as well as the band's repertoire, its own variety and melding of Gypsy music and Klezmer, with a nod to Manouche Jazz.
Eric Sloviak, who like his brother plays violin for the group, calls the music they play "both joyous and nostalgic -- the Gypsy and Jewish music styles perfectly reflects the lives of persecuted people in exile, caught up in Diaspora, all with an unshakable will to live. With Les Yeux Noirs, we invite our audience to share these music heritages through intense moments of emotion."
The musical styles of the two cultures have much in common. Dispersed through their respective history, both Gypsies and Jews had a life of exile that created a special connection with music. While Manouche Jazz is based on early American jazz in the style of the French Gypsies, Klezmer is a style of music that is inherently Jewish. The word comes from two Hebrew words, clay and zimmer, meaning "vessel of music or song." The idea is that the instruments, mainly violin and clarinet, take on human characteristics like laughing and crying, expressed as a joyous exuberance or a soulful wailing.
The group's fourth and latest work, "Balamouk" ("madhouse" in Romanian) adds more modern sounds to its already rich background. Without disowning the Slav tradition and heritage that was the main feature of their previous recordings, Les Yeux Noirs has added more modern sounds such as percussion and electric guitar."
Our themes continue to originate from all over Eastern Europe, and they are full of rhythm and spontaneity," says Slaviak. "We don't want to dilute the music but at the same time we don't want to fall into weepy clichés of Gypsy and Klezmer music. This is why our group evolves along with today's music."
Eric and Olivier Slabiak started studying violin at the ages of 5 and 7. Both first prize winners of the Brussels Royal Conservatory of Music, they soon discovered a fascination for Gypsy traditional music. Honing their talent with Gypsy musicians, Eric and Olivier decided to dedicate their lives to their musical heritage and founded Les Yeux Noirs in 1992.
Les Yeux Noirs is made up of eight musicians: Franck Anastasio, bass/voice; Constantin Bitica, accordion; Marian Miu, cymbals; Francois Perchat, cello; Pascal Rondeau, guitar/voice; Eric Slabiak, violin/voice; Olivier Slabiak, violon/voice; and Aidge Tafial, drums.
The multi-talented octet brings their lively performing style to the Napa Valley Opera House on Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20, $15 and $10.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the Napa Valley Opera House Box Office, 1000 Main St. (off First Street), Suite 150, Napa, by phone at 226-7372 or online at www.ticketweb.comFor more information about the historic Napa Valley Opera House and upcoming performances, visit www.nvoh.org.
08/27/03 >> go there
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