Bagel Music: June 2007

Monday, June 25, 2007

Remembering Ofra Haza

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Remembering Ofra Haza

Remembering Ofra Haza - a tribute to the greatest Israeli singer ever - Ofra Haza. Dedicated to her life, her work and all her songs she sang for us.

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Ofra Haza - Im Nin'alu

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Ofra Haza - Im Nin'alu

Of Yemenite Jewish ancestry, Haza was born the youngest of nine children in the poor Tel Aviv neighborhood of Hatikvah. She became an instant local and then national success story, the subject of great pride for many Israelis of Yemenite origin.

Her voice has been described as mezzo-soprano, of near-flawless tonal quality, capable of lending itself to a variety of musical styles with apparent ease. It is thought likely that Haza's voice had the most upper harmonic overtones of any singer in history, reaching as many as 32 on some songs, such as "Love Song" from the album Shaday (1988)
Ofra Haza died at the age of 42 on the 23rd February 2000. More about Ofra Haza Wikipedia

HATIKVAH PLAYED ON ANCIENT JEWISH TEMPLE LYRE!

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Hatikvah played on ancient Jewish Temple Lyre

An arrangement on Youtube by KlezFiddle1,of the haunting melody of the Israeli National Anthem,"Hatikvah"(The Hope),played on the long-forgotten "Kinnor" Lyre,last played by the Levites in the Temple of Jerusalem,almost 2000 years ago...here played by one of their descendants, Michael Levy - in my spare room, Salford, Lancashire!

This poignant melody to me,uniquely conveys the sorrow and hardship of the Jewish people throughout the last 2000 years - after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans,and the opression we faced in so many foreign lands to which we were then scattered...yet the Unshakeable HOPE, of returning to that long-lost Homeland once again,a Hope sustained through the prayers, dreams and almost endless struggles of nearly 2000 dark, desolate years.

May this humble musical contribution also bring another Hope...that one day,all strife will cease,and there will be a time to come,when all Jews and Arabs will live in harmony as brothers and sisters once again.

Some future,distant day from now,let Mankind also cling onto the Greatest Hope - that there will be an EVERLASTING Peace in this weary,war-torn world...