Mark Kovnatskiy Ensemble

Mark Kovnatskiy Ensemble: The future of Yiddish musical tradition
 

Founded in 2024, this ensemble is the realization of Mark Kovnatskiy’s long-standing vision: to move beyond the "archival digging" that dominates the scene and instead focus on the creation of vibrant, new Jewish music. While many remain buried in the dust of forgotten manuscripts, Kovnatskiy’s project breathes life into the genre through his original compositions—rooted in Klezmer, Hasidic, Moldovan, Ukrainian, and Middle Eastern traditions.

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The philosophy: tradition as a foundation, not a destination
 

With deep respect for the musical heritage of the past, Mark Kovnatskiy is convinced that focusing solely on history hinders the path to the future. His philosophy is simple: it is impossible to move forward while constantly looking back. Therefore, the core idea of this project is not the rejection of the old, but the creation of the new through the lens of profound traditional knowledge.

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The ensemble brings together an elite lineup of world-class virtuosos, including Dr. Alan Bern (Director of the festival Yiddish Summer Weimar), key members of the renowned band Dobranotch, and Hamburg jazz bassist Axel Burkhardt. This powerhouse of diverse backgrounds is united by a profound fluency in the Yiddish musical language and a mastery of spontaneous improvisation. Since debuting at prestigious stages like Yiddish Summer Weimar and festivals across Germany and Denmark, the Mark Kovnatskiy Ensemble has proven that the truest way to honor tradition is to let it evolve.

 

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"Di Naye Yidishe Melodyes": A new canon of Yiddish music
 

The concert program "Di Naye Yidishe Melodyes" (New Yiddish Melodies) is a bold manifestation of Mark Kovnatskiy’s creative evolution. It features exclusively original compositions that bridge the gap between rigorous tradition and contemporary artistry. Infused with the spirit of Klezmer, Hasidic, Moldavian, and Ukrainian musical languages, these works represent a vibrant, living continuation of Eastern European Jewish heritage.

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While Kovnatskiy began composing in 2004, his creative output reached a new zenith in 2018, leading to the launch of this dedicated concert program in 2020. The global impact of his music is undeniable: his melodies have already entered the international repertoire, performed by world-class ensembles ranging from the San Francisco Symphony (USA) and Neue Philharmonie Westfalen (GER) to renowned soloists like Steven Greenman (USA) and ensembles such as Klezmer Loshn (FRA) and the Dreydel Orchestra (JPN). This program offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience the birth of a "new tradition" led by one of the genre's most authoritative voices.

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Lineup:

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Mark Kovnatskiy - violin, vocal, compositions, musical director

Alan Bern - piano, accordion

Mitya Khramtsov - violin, vocal

Axel Burkhardt - double base

Evgenii Lizin - drum kit, xylophone, poyk, percussion