Re: "Iti milvanon" by Nira Hen

[H. Kaufman <hkaufman...>]

The music for "Iti Milvanon" was indeed composed by Nira Chen (spelled
Chet, Nun Sofit) and the words are from Shir Hashirim.  The song has been
preserved in the Israeli folk dance repertoire by a beautiful couple dance
created by Rivka Sturman (together with Dodi Li also composed by Nira
Chen) in 1948 or 1949, which we dance at our weekly session of classic
folk dances in New York City (and at various sessions in Israel that still
do the traditional folk dances). 

There are several vocal recordings of Iti Milvanon, the oldest of which
appears to be on a Hed Arzi collection called "Songs of Songs" recorded on
Arzi Records D-102 with Yemenite mezzosaprano Naomi Zuri and the "Kol
Yisrael" (or Jerusalem Broadcasting)  Symphony Orchestra conducted by
Shabtai Petrushka.  These are 78 rpm recordings which were probably made
in the early 1950's. The version we use for our dance session is on Hora
(Electra EKS 7186) recorded in 1960 with Geula Gil and the Oranim Zabar
Troupe (that included some great Israeli folk musicians and composers such
as Dov Seltzer and at one time Amitai Ne'eman). 

It should be noted that in the formative years of the new Israeli culture
(the 1940's and 1950's), many Israeli folk songs were written for dances
and the composers worked hand-in-hand with the choreographers (sometimes
literally).  This was certainly the case for Iti Milvanon and Dodi
Li, which were created as dances by Rivka Sturman who had Mira Chen
compose the music.  Both women lived (and still do) at Kibbutz Ein Harod
and collaborated together.  Both of them were present recently at Rivka's
95th birthday party at Kibbutz Dalia, which attracted huge numbers,
including many personalities from the Israeli folk dance and music world.  
 
For anyone interested in information pertaining to Israeli folk music
(including issues related to copyright), one of the best experts I know is
Yossi Spivak, a musicologist and folk-music composer whose works include
Ma Navu and Niguno Shel Yossi for dances created by his wife Raya. Yossi
has written articles about Israeli folk music (in Hebrew) and has a huge
collection of music and recordings going back to at least the 1920's. 
Yossi is now retired, but is available as a consultant for people who need
help with Israeli music.  Yossi does not yet have email (although he
creates sheet music on his computer). But he can be reached by snail mail
at 25 Blum St. Holon 58326 Israel or Tel/Fax (from the U.S,) at 011 972 3
5047307. 

Hope this is helpful to those who love and appreciate the traditional folk
music and dance of Israel.
  
Haim Kaufman
Rikuday Dor Rishon
New York City

On Tue, 15 Sep 1998 BarMusProd (at) aol(dot)com wrote: 

> Paul von Hippel asked:
> >I'm seeking information on a piece for voice and piano called "Iti
> milvanon," by Nira Hen (Hem?).
> 
> What I'd mainly like to know is this: Is the melody original with Hen,
> and, if not, where does the melody come from?<
> 
> I think that her name is actually Nira Chen (it's usually written using an H
> with a dot under it, which is equivalent to the Hebrew "ch" sound [the letters
> Chaf or Chet). On the versions that I've seen of this lovely song, Ms. Chen is
> always listed as the composer. The text is from _Song of Songs_ and it is
> often sung or played at weddings. Unfortunately, the one version I have of
> this song at home gives no copyright information.
> 
> Good luck.
> 
> Best wishes,
> Steve
> 
> Steve Barnett
> Composer/Arranger/Producer
> Barnett Music Productions
> BarMusProd (at) aol(dot)com 
> 
>