If the Tune Is Jewish, Why Is the Style Hungarian?

Within the past fifteen years, the klezmer (East European instrumental Jewish Music) music scene has included music of Transylvania (usually Kalotaszeg) that is stylistically specific to that region, even when the tunes played are considered Jewish. Popular groups such as Muzsikás and Di Naye Kapelye have circulated and popularized a limited standard repertoire, which has served partially to redefine what were formerly considered the elements of klezmer style. Motivations for the dissemination of this sub-trend are at the same time musical, commercial, academic and ideological. The needs of presenters and venues to vary their music programs has further aided in the dissemination of the sub-trend. The results have inspired some participants of klezmer music to observe what makes their music ethnically specific and to critically re-examine the tenets on which historical assumptions are made.