Hava Nagila is a Hassidic Traditional song also known as a niggun(religious song) sung in celebration/rejoicing. It has been sung by many people across many different cultures and performed in many different ways from traditional Klezmer groups which is what my song share is about as well as brass ensembles and children’s choirs. The melody of Hava Nagila is recognizable no matter what group of instrumentation is performing it because the tune is widely known and performed in this culture and some people can recognize the piece from just the rhythm and no pitches. A Klezmer ensemble is traditionally known in association with Ashkenazi Jews typically performing at ceremonies and celebrations. The instrumentation of a Klezmer ensemble ranges a lot typically today you would see two violinists, bass or cello, flute, tsimbl, some brass instruments such as french horn, and clarinet. Klezmer is an aural tradition it was not until later in the years that notation began to be used for others to start their own groups and perform the same songs.  There are sections throughout Hava Nagila where there are dramatic changes in tempo from slower to extremely fast all lead by the leader of the group in the video the leader of the group is the clarinet.

Hava Nagila