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Israel Music



Israeli Music 

The music of Israel is a unique expression of the emerging Israeli ethos, with roots in both Jewish and non-Jewish musical traditions.
For more than a century, musicians have worked to create original stylistic elements that define Israel's culture and character.

In addition to creating music in a style that is characteristically Israeli, Israeli musicians have made important contributions to classical, jazz, rock and other international music genres. Since the 1970s, there has been a flowering of musical diversity, with Israeli rock, folk and jazz musicians creating and performing extensively, both locally and abroad.

Many of the world's leading classical musicians are Israelis or Israeli expatriates. Israeli composers in the classical tradition have their works performed often by leading orchestras worldwide.

Israelis view their music not only as a creative expression, but also as an important part of their national identity.
For many years, the proliferation of Hebrew songs and of public singalongs was encouraged and supported by government agencies.
"Public singalongs were a common pastime, and were for them a force in defining their identity," wrote Nathan Shahar.
This view of music as nation-building continues to this day. "We are in the midst of creating a culture," says Nahum Heyman, one of Israel's leading folk music composers and music historians.


Chassidic Music 
The Chassidic music is a religous Jewish music which is called:"Nigun" (Pl. Nigunim). 
It is a Hebrew term meaning “humming tune. Usually, the term refers to religious songs and tunes that are sung by groups.
It is a form of voice instrumental music, often without any lyrics or words, although sounds like “bim-bim-bam” or “Ai-ai-ai!” are often used.Sometimes, Bible verses or quotes from other classical Jewish texts are sung repetitively in the form of a nigun. Nigunim are largely improvisations, though they could be based on thematic passage and are stylized in form.
Nigunim are also sung as a Jewish prayer and other nigunim may be joyous or victorious.

A revival of interest in Jewish music was sparked as part of Chasidism. Different Chasidic groups have their own nigunim, often composed by their Rabbi or leader.
Chasidim gather around holidays to sing in groups. There are also nigunim for individual meditation, called devekus or devekut (connecting with God) nigunim.
These are usually much slower than around-the-table nigunim, and are almost always sung without lyrics.
The Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chasidism, spoke of devekus nigunim as “songs that transcend syllables and sound.” Several tunes attributed to him are still used today.

HaTikvah, Israel National Anthem
“HaTikvah was written by Naftali Herz Imber (1856-1909), who moved to Palestine in 1882 from Galicia (area between Poland and Ukraine). The melody was arranged by Samuel Cohen, an immigrant from oldavia. When the State of Israel was declared in 1948, “HaTikvah” was unofficially proclaimed the national anthem. However, it did not officially become the national anthem until November 2004, when it was sanctioned by the Knesset in an amendment to the “Flag and Coat-of-Arms Law”.
The beautiful words to HaTikvah are below translated into English. Below this is a lovely video showing so you can hear the melody of HaTikvah.
 As long as in the heart, within,
A Jewish soul still yearns,
And onward toward the East,
An eye still watches toward Zion.

Our hope has not yet been lost,
The two thousand year old hope,
To be a free nation in our own homeland,
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.

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