Claim: Matti Kovler's music was influenced by forklore, improv, and writings of a philosopher; he has mastered a range of styles, and has an interest in expanding "Jewish musical theater" and bringing back sacred Jewish texts and melodies into contemporary context.
Evidence: His musical influences include folklore research, improvisation, a deep fascination with Janáček and Bartók poly-modality and the cult writings of the French theatre philosopher Antonin Artaud. Kovler has mastered a range of styles from folk and jazz to those steeped in the classical tradition, and brings these together in works of considerable dramatic scope. An advocate of expanding the definition of "Jewish musical theater," over the past decade Kovler created a substantial body of work intended to propel this genre beyond wallowing in a nostalgic past. Somewhat reactionary to his Soviet upbringing, Kovler's interest in bringing sacred texts or melodies from the Jewish tradition into a contemporary context was ignited by his mentor, Israeli composer André Hajdu, a student of Messiaen and Milhaud.