Zayt Gezunterheyt

Zayt Gezunterheyt is a Yiddish expression meaning ‘farewell’. It is also the title of the widely acclaimed CD by clarinettist Roeland Hendrikx and his ensemble, in which they explore the folk and Jewish roots of Eastern European chamber music. Melancholy, passion and virtuosity: this is music that touches you to the very core. We couldn’t put it any better than Flemish newspaper De Standaard: “It is the soft tones in particular that stand out in this glimpse towards the east: the sustaining warmth of cellist Sébastien Walnier, the rounded tones of Roeland Hendrikx’s clarinet, and the wistful touches of Liebrecht Vanbeckevoort.” The Slavic tradition is so deeply intertwined with the fate of the Jewish people that the slightest hint of melancholy in Russian music evokes this fate, every farewell conjures up the diaspora, and every dance sounds like klezmer. A musical mosaic brimming with memories, longing and colour. Featuring music by Aleksandr Glazunov, Max Bruch, Nino Rota, Sergei Prokofiev, Rezső Kókai en Aram Khachaturian. Bio In 2015, Roeland Hendrikx founded his own ensemble, fulfilling a long-held ambition. The ensemble explores the rich world of music for clarinet, piano and strings, drawing its strength from the dialogue between like-minded musicians. Thanks to the core group of musicians, a strong bond develops in which ideas take shape, styles intertwine and personalities merge into a single, inspired sound.