The late Norman Tischler played in many bands and for Shabbat services at several area synagogues. And for many years, the beloved Tischler was the conductor and lead soloist of the Workmen’s Circle Klezmer Orchestra. Earlier this year, Tischler died after a brief illness.
Now, a group of klezmer musicians has rededicated the orchestra as the Norman Tischler Klezmer Orchestra, or TKO, and decided to carry on his legacy. The Temple—Tifereth Israel in Beachwood, where Tischler was a regular performer, has sponsored the ensemble.
Under the direction of Moss Stanley, the group will continue to offer audiences in Northeast Ohio the same blend of Klezmer, Israeli and contemporary music with lyrics in Yiddish, Hebrew and English. TKO “brings Klezmer back to its roots as dance tunes for weddings and other festive celebrations,” as it's put in a press release.
The group has a few shows coming up too. It'll perform at 2 p.m. on Sept. 8 at the bandstand at Legacy Village and at 5 p.m. on Sept. 15 at Nighttown as part of a tribute to Norman Tischler. The tribute concert will also feature performances by Nitebridge and many of Cleveland’s finest musicians.
A CD containing many of Tischler’s recordings is in the works as well.
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