Re: Itsy Bitsy Spider and other Liturgucal Themes

[richard_wolpoe <richard_wolpoe...>]

I'm not sure of your source on this one.  My understanding is that Smetana 
consciously used the patriotic Ma Vlast as a backdrop to his poem Hativkav 
becasue of the nationalistic urgin for idnependencs that was common to both jews
and 19th cnetury Bohemians.

Also, I grew up in hartford where in the ONLY Jewish radio sho was hosted by the
late Canotr Arthur Koret OH.  His theme song was Die Moldau.  I'll never shake 
those haunting strains out of my memory, we heard them EVERY Sunday morning 
growing up with our lox and bagels. My understanding was that he picked that 
piece becasue of its relationship to haTikvah although I never asked him.


Also, in my college music appreciation class, I brought in 3 records of my 
favorite "classical" music and Die Moldau was one.  This had a lot more to do 
with Cantor Koret's show, but the (non-Jewish) instructor playfully accsued me 
of picking it because of its connection to haTikvah.  (I still don't know how he
knew about that connection).

I haven't heard the official explanation from Imber, but everything I have heard
suggests a very strong connection between haTivkah and Die Moldau... (and I 
persoanlly have no problem with it.  Look, the godd old USA chose To Anacreon in
Heaven!) 

Rich Wolpoe,
Just another lover of romantic music...
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Itsy Bitsy Spider and other Liturgucal Themes 
Author:  <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org > at tcpgate
Date:    2/24/98 7:18 PM


Rich Wolpoe wrote:

        < Smetana's Die Moldau was the source for the Hatikvo.  However,
the 
opening theme melody actually predates Smetana.>


There is certainly a resemblance to the Smetana theme, except in the second 
phrase. However, my impression is that the Romanian folksong "Carul cu boi" 
(The Oxcart) may be closer to being the source (if one can speak of "the" 
source).  The melody is that of Hatikvah.

For whatever it's worth...

Sandra Layman
sandl (at) compuserve(dot)com