Beth Cohen’s

“Beth Cohen’s” (often titled “Beth Cohen’s Reel”) is a modern traditional-style tune that has become a staple in the klezmer and contra dance repertoires. Though it sounds like it could be centuries old, it was actually composed by the prolific American musician Larry Unger.

About the Tune

The piece was written for and named after Beth Bahia Cohen, a master violinist and educator renowned for her work in Greek, Turkish, Hungarian, and Klezmer music.

• Musical Style: While technically a reel, the tune is heavily infused with Klezmer and Eastern European “Balkan” flavors. It often utilizes the Freygish scale (a Phrygian dominant scale), which gives it that distinctive, soulful, and slightly “haunting” Jewish musical character.

• Structure: It is typically played with a driving, rhythmic energy that makes it perfect for dancing. Its minor-key melody is both melancholic and exuberant, capturing the “laughing through tears” essence of traditional klezmer.

• Popularity: The tune gained significant international attention after being recorded by artists like Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi on their album There Is No Other. It is now frequently played at jam sessions ranging from New England contra dances to Jewish weddings.