Yisrael Lutnick performs Rosenblatt & Gershwin
Hatikvah, the national anthem of Israel, is a very powerful song that deeply moves the Jewish heart (and anyone for whom Israel is dear). The evolution of this song into the national song of Zionism is a fascinating topic, in and of itself.
But there was another song that was considered when the Zionist Congress of 1933 made the final decision. It was Shir Hamaalot, Psalm 126, performed to the melody made famous by Yoselle Rosenblatt. Needless to say, the religious Zionist movement supported Shir Hamaalot, but not just the religious Zionist movement.
In 1933, the world famous Cantor Rosenblatt was in the Holy Land to film a movie entitled, "Dreams of My People." While he was here, he gave concerts. At every performance, he sang Shir Hamaalot. (Many people attribute the composition to him, although in fact it appears to been written by a Cantor Pincus Minkowsky. Nonetheless, Yoselle's recording has become so standard that he has made it his own.)
It is said that the poet Haim Nachman Bialik was so moved by Yoselle's performance that he endorsed Shir Hamaalot for national anthem.
After the vote was held both songs remain deep in the Jewish heart. Here is an audio recording of Yoselle Rosenblatt performing Shir Hamaalot:
Pianist Haim Tukachinsky and Yisrael Lutnick will be performing Rosenblatt & Gershwin, and sharing this and other fascinating stories about the great Cantor Rosenblatt and the legendary composer George Gershwin. We hope you'll join us!
May 17, 8 PM, at the Yad Labanim in Ra'anana.
May 23, 8 PM, at the Mishan Home of Beersheva, with AACI.
May 24th, 5PM, Israel Conservatory of Music, Tel Aviv, with AACI
Tickets are 75 shekels, and can be bought online at:
http://israel-theatre.com/rosenblattgershwin.html
or by telephone at 077-450-6012.
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