From Russian folk music to the sounds of the Eastern European klezner, traditional Jewish Yemenite tunes and Shirei Eretz Yisrael (songs of the land of Israel). Like most things in Israel the music found here is a somewhat eclectic affair. Three wins under their belt in the Eurovision song contest (yep – being part of the European Broadcasting Union qualifies them) and with musical festivals and new genres for the modern Israel popping up all over the place it’s time to delve into the sounds of this ancient land.
songs of the land of israel
israeli folk dance
In the 1880’s the Zionists who began settling in what is now modern day Israel were set upon creating a nation state of Jews from all over the world. Along with the revival of the Hebrew language came the creation of core literature and folk songs sung in the native tongue. These traditional folk songs quickly became known as the Shirei Eretz Yisrael (songs of the land of Israel).
These simple songs of the golden age were based around basic accompaniment and more often than not contained lyrics that dealt with daily life in the holy land, glorifying the ideals, life and national themes of the young people living in their new homeland. Usually composed in minor keys with Arabic influenced melodies creeping in from time to time many songs were written in collaboration with famous Hebrew poets such as Hayyim Nahman Bialik and Nathan Alterman.
jerusalem of gold
“Jerusalem of gold, and of bronze, and of light, behold I am a violin for all your songs” chimes the chorus of the popular 1967 Israeli song by Naomi Shemer. Originally performed at the Israeli Music Festival on 15th May 1967, Yerushalayim Shel Zahav, has since become the unofficial song for modern day Israel.
jerusalem theatre, performing arts
And it was after this period in 1967 that saw the biggest change, not just in music, but culture as a whole. The period after the Six-Day War saw the number of galleries rocket, theatres double and nightclubs and restaurants open up across the country. State radio began to play rock music from other countries and European and American musicians started visiting and performing in Israel, changing peoples perceptions and opening a whole new world of music from which to take influence and inspire new forms taking influences from all around the globe.
hip hop in the holy land
The musical force that is hip hop seems to have permeated just about every country on the planet now. A musical genre that has such a powerful voice and direct way to express what’s going on in your direct environment it’s not hard to see why the Israeli youth have embraced it so passionately.
hip hop artist subliminal
One of the most pioneering and well respected figures is DJ Liron Teeni who played the crucial role in making Israeli hip hop what it is today by making kids showcasing their skills on his army radio station translate their raps and rhymes into the mother tongue of Hebrew. The hip happening city of Tel Aviv is now a wash with underground music labels and impromptu nights that showcase some of the most forward thinking and ground-breaking artists. Other influential artists in the world of Israeli hip hop definitely worth checking out include Shabak Samech, Hadag Nachash and Subliminal.
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