The term klezmer is a Yiddish expression for the common musician and more precisely translates as vessel for song. The klezmorim (pl.) are the musicians travelled from village to village playing for the aristocracy and commoners alike. Well-versed in all styles of music, they often had to learn new songs and melodies that became popular regionally. Through the 19th Century a klezmer orchestra consisted primarily of string instruments and flutes with an occasional cymbal and never had vocalists.
The political climate and technology played an important role in the development of the music. The musicians who were inducted into the military turned their violins and flutes in for trumpets, trombones, tubas, clarinets, and drums, giving the music a new character. And, in the 20th Century the development of recording technology again changed the music to include both loud and quiet instruments and eventually vocalists.
A Short Klezmer History