Re: "Iti milvanon" by Nira Hen

[Joel Bresler <jbresler...>]

Tremendously helpful.

I think Shoshana Damari did an early version as well, on 7" 33 r.p.m.

Best, Joel

At 01:41 PM 9/16/98 -0400, H. Kaufman wrote:
>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 
>> 
>> 
>
>


Joel Bresler
250 E. Emerson Rd.
Lexington, MA 02420 USA

Home:   781-862-2432
Home Office:    781-862-4104
FAX:            781-862-0498
Cell:           781-622-0309
Email:          jbresler (at) ultra(dot)net