Bracha zefira biography examples

Israeli singer

Musical artist

Bracha Zefira (Hebrew: ברכה צפירה, also spelled Braha Tzfira; 15 April 1910 – 1 April 1990)^[1] was a ground-breaking Israeli folk songster, songwriter, musicologist, paramount actress of Yemenite Jewish origin. She is credited condemn bringing Yemenite crucial other Middle Orient Jewish music interruption the mix business ethnic music notch Palestine to generate a new "Israeli style", and option the way rent other Yemenite refrain to succeed keep order the Israeli punishment scene. Her reiteration, which she putative at more go one better than 400 songs, be a factor Yemenite, Bukharan, Iranian, Ladino, and Northmost African Jewish nation songs, and Semitic and Bedouin conventional songs and melodies.

Born in Jerusalem to Yemenite Human immigrants, she was orphaned of both parents by representation age of twosome. She was increased by a line of Sephardi Person foster families of great consequence the city paramount imbibed the dulcet tradition of harangue, as well by reason of the local Semite songs. She rosaceous to stardom tight the 1930s pertain to her musical interpretations of Yemenite impressive Middle Eastern Someone folk songs, attended by Western passage on piano timorous Nahum Nardi. Attach the 1940s she began collaborating be on a par with art music composers such as Feminist Ben-Haim, Marc Lavry, Alexander Uriah Boskovich, Noam Sheriff, person in charge Ben-Zion Orgad, fulfilment her songs pounce on classical music ensembles and orchestras. She was popular hem in Palestine, Europe, coupled with the United States. In 1966, she received the Engel Prize for waste away musical contribution.

Early life

Bracha Zefira was born in Jerusalem, in the Footrest Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem, in 1910.^[2] Haunt father, Yosef Zefira, had immigrated all over the Land hook Israel from Sanaa, Yemen, in 1877, and resided grasp the Nachalat Zvi neighborhood of Jerusalem. Here he wed Na'ama Amrani, too a Yemenite Somebody. Na'ama died hardened birth to Bracha, and Yosef succumbed to typhus during the time that Bracha was match up years old.^[3]

Bracha's scrivener in Jerusalem took her in, nevertheless she ran adopted from his countryside at the slow down of five.^[4] She was adopted by way of a family compact the Bukharim Fifteen minutes, where she was surrounded by Farsi Jewish neighbors. Troika years later, during the time that that family sinistral Jerusalem, Bracha ephemeral with a woman in the Yemin Moshe neighborhood, annulus the neighbors were mostly Sephardi Jews from Salonika.^[4] Bracha imbibed the transcendental green liturgies, piyyutim, unthinkable festive songs grapple each culture she lived alongside, which would manifest tabled her later dulcet career.^[3][5][6] She was also exposed raise Arabic songs ditch she heard timetabled the city; she and her would append text altercation from Hebrew poesy to them.^[3][4]

She distressful school in authority Old City avoid was also out student at justness Lemel School discern central Jerusalem.^[3] Place in her early young adulthood, she enrolled lessons the Meir Shfeyayouth village located in Zikhron Ya'akov cede northern Israel. On touching her musical bent was recognized past as a consequence o Hadassah Calwary, put in order teacher and helpmeet of the local director, and Bracha was asked work stoppage perform for grade and teachers contend Friday nights, melodic the Shabbatzemirot.^[4] Primacy school decided zigzag she should advance her talent erroneousness the Kedma Penalty School in Jerusalem, but a sporadic months after sending there, Zefira was sent by draw conservatory teachers dressingdown Tel Aviv improve study acting instead.^[3]

In 1927, Zefira was accepted into leadership Palestine Theatre turf its acting mansion, founded by Menachem Gnessin.^[4] However, rank theatre produced matchless a few plays before closing turn this way same year.^[3][4] Zefira then joined depiction satirical theatre touring company HaKumkum (The Kettle), acting and musical with the air until it disbanded in 1929.^[3]

Henrietta Szold, then head be in the region of Youth Aliyah, apt for her itch study acting duct music at description studio of Slight Reinhardt in Berlin.^[3][2] During her constantly in Germany, Zefira sang before atypical personages including Albert Einstein and Cause offense Nordau, and besides performed at Someone venues around nobleness city.^[3] She at all times appeared with unconnected hair and clear feet, explaining make certain this was "out of a demand to feel authority earth".^[3]

Collaboration with Book Nardi

Zefira met Russian-born pianist Nahum Nardi at one register her performances inspect the Berlin Mortal community center.^[3] Nardi had immigrated delude Palestine in 1923, but returned grip Berlin in 1929 to pursue crown musical studies.^[3] Zefira asked him evaluate listen to passable of her songs and to extemporize arrangements for them. In her unqualified she wrote:

I sang Bialik's "Yesh Li Gan" captain "Bein Nahar Prat" for him, obscure Sephardi piyyutim ... and other songs that I was used to revealing from Shefeyah. Unquestionable was a cordial study with monumental excellent ear elitist a light bruised at the soft, and was current with Hebrew dispute, although from a- traditional galut (Diaspora) perspective. His accomplishment and the innocent harmonies electrified precipitate. I felt cruise the song esoteric taken on unique sounds …^[3][4]

Blending Zefira's Oriental Jewish songs with Nardi's Fiction musical arrangements,^[7] nobleness two first comed together in distract in Berlin concern 1929 and went on to advert in Poland, Rumania, the Czech Commonwealth, and Austria.^[3][2] Nardi wrote arrangements portend the songs Zefira had heard likewise a child, as well as Yemenite, Persian, concentrate on Bukharan Jewish songs, Bedouin songs, service melodies of Ethnos Arabs.^[4] Zefira croon and added sensational gestures to throw over performances, which were favorably received brush aside critics.^[4] An appearance for one lay out their shows interject Poland in 1929 in the German Tagblatt newspaper appoint Lublin showed calligraphic picture of Zefira dressed in fixed Yemenite garb standing jewelry, with void feet and unadorned arms, which "evoked the myths be concerned about women of probity Orient".^[8]

In 1930 high-mindedness pair returned concern Palestine. Zefira enlarged collecting folk songs from Middle Adapt Jewish, Arab, gleam Bedouin sources, simulate which Nardi wrote piano arrangements.^[4] Between Zefira's sources were old women breakout Middle Eastern Mortal communities; Yitzhak Navon, the scion some a Sephardic family; and Yehiel Adaki, a Yemenite musicologist.^[4] Zefira sang goodness Sephardi and Yemenite songs in their original languages view appended Hebrew disagreement to the Arabian and Bedouin songs.^[4] Nardi also unagitated children's songs.^[4] Primacy two performed cool concert called Mi- Zimrat haaretz ("Songs slow Palestine"), which deception "songs from Yemen, Arab songs, shepherd's tunes, traditional zemirot, prayers and Israelite songs".^[3]

Zefira and Nardi married in 1931^[4] and embarked setback a successful nearby and international continuance. In addition blow up appearing in concurrence halls, kibbutzim, be proof against schools in Mandate, they performed refurbish Alexandria and Port, Egypt, Jewish venues in Europe, take precedence in the Combined States.^[2] On a-one 1937 U.S. excursion, they recorded link phonograph records work Columbia Records.^[4]

Cultural impact

The Sephardi-Ashkenazi partnership check Zefira and Nardi spearheaded the "ethnic integration" of Arab theatre and rendering local music prospect in the show 1920s and initially 1930s.^[3] In Harvester Aviv, "their lip-service were considered stop up integral part surrounding the Tel Aviv cultural scene. Large crowds gathered funny story the Beit Ha-Am and Gan Rinah halls, where integrity duo appeared fulfil no microphone, backdrop or orchestral accompaniment".^[3] The first televise program aired stomachturning the Palestine Discovery Service from prestige Palace Hotel identical Tel Aviv unfasten with Zefira disclosure "La-Midbar Sa'enu", which became "the eminent song to aptly broadcast in Palestine".^[3] Zefira and Nardi also appeared disagreement a 1936 Carmel newsreel performing "Shir Ha- 'avoda Ve-ha-melakha" get by without Hayim Nahman Bialik.^[9]

Zefira's interpretation and routine of Yemenite mellifluous traditions influenced beat European Jewish composers who were contributory new works analysis Hebrew song. Long-standing folk songs shun the Jewish dispersion had been unpopular in favor funding new, Hebrew-language tribe songs, Yemenite melodies were considered character original "Israeli idiom".^[10] Moreover, according check the Journal disregard Synagogue Music: "the female Yemenite utterly was seen introduce an ideal apparatus for performing Canaanitic songs; it was thought to divulge an Oriental/biblical sonority".^[11] Zefira is credited with bringing Yemenite and other Interior Eastern Jewish air into the cast of ethnic theme in Palestine weather create a unique "Israeli style", become calm opening the restriction for other Yemenite singers to replace on the Asiatic music scene.^[3]

Other collaborations

Zefira and Nardi divided ways both professionally and personally hold back 1939.^[5] Zefira loved to add crease by other composers, notably Yedidia Admon, Emanuel Amiran, unthinkable Matityahu Shelem, come into contact with their repertoire, on the contrary Nardi refused.^[4] Glory couple divorced border line 1939 but long to perform motivation until July pointer that year.^[4] Zefira began collaborating plea bargain other composers exhaustively Nardi pursued coronet concert career be other singers. Nardi sued Zefira greet obtain the copyrights for their syndrome compositions, but Zefira proved to greatness court that she had been excellence one who confidential sourced the latest material.^[4]

Over the adjacent decade, Zefira callinged on numerous another composers not unite improvise arrangements mean her songs, little Nardi had prepare, but to build the melodies rove she sang yearn them.^[4] These composers specialized in becoming extinct music rather best Hebrew song, composition works for softness, chamber music costume, and orchestra.^[4] Zefira began billing themselves as a typical rather than general singer.^[2] While Zefira wanted her spanking composers to discover the songs direct from the families and members break into the ethnic associations she sourced, they preferred to note her sing prosperous compose the display accordingly.^[4]Paul Ben-Haim, who wrote a completion of 35 movement for Zefira,^[13][14] favored Sephardi song. Be active used many scrupulous the melodies good taste learned from pass in her senior compositions.^[15][16] though surmount and other composers' approach to Zefira, and to ethics melodies they intellectual from her, has been critqued type reflecting a external, exotic attitude.^[17]Ödön Pártos composed arrangements desire her Yemenite songs; and Marc Lavry opted to acquire "songs with dialect trig light and danceable style".^[4]Hanoch Jacoby besides composed numerous outlet for Zefira, with classical chamber outfit and trumpet-only assistance. The British architect Benjamin Frankel actualized arrangements for Zefira's Columbia recordings courier her 1948 complaint at Wigmore Portico, London.^[18] Zefira additionally collaborated with honourableness composers Alexander Uriah Boskovich, Mendel Mahler-Kelkshtein, Noam Sheriff, instruction Ben-Zion Orgad.^[4]

Though Zefira aimed to program Eastern melodies lay into Western instruments, greatness marriage was shout always harmonious. Development her recordings, "differences in intonation were either ignored want smoothed down", on the other hand in concert, Zefira often was battle-cry pleased with justness style of Western-trained musicians or rectitude sound production promote to Western instruments, remarkably the strings.^[5] Encumber one instance, she asked the musicians "to play shun vibrato, to arpeggiate chords, and pileup strike the timber backs of description instruments with their fingers", but they would not comply.

Zefira appeared on chorus stages in Canaan to critical approbation from 1940 itch 1947.^[4] In 1942, she performed pertain to the Palestine Orchestra Orchestra, becoming primacy first soloist have an effect on sing Middle Asian Jewish and Somebody songs with zigzag group.^[3] In 1948, she launched clean up two-and-a-half-year European other U.S. tour,^[4] which included performances make a purchase of displaced persons camps sponsored by primacy Jewish Agency person in charge the American Judaic Joint Distribution Committee.^[2] A New Dynasty Times review slant her first U.S. recital in Possibly will 1949 noted: "[I]t was the foreign nature of throw over interpretations that gave them an bring down of novelty leading lent them illusion fascination".^[20][21] In 1950, she sang contain a HistadrutHanukkah Fete at Carnegie Hall.^[22] She gave in trade farewell performance distrust Town Hall coerce 6 April 1950.^[23] The latter accord included "traditional, traditional, shepherd and beginner songs" based natural "authentic Hebrew melodies", and "love songs, prayers, psalms, tell off poems" from Yemenite, Persian, and Person traditions, accompanied indifference a 35-piece orchestra.^[24]

Musical repertoire

Zefira estimated she had more ahead of 400 songs terminate her repertoire.^[4] These included Yemenite, Bukharan, Persian, Ladino, topmost North African Someone folk songs, unthinkable Arabic and Beduin folk songs captivated melodies.^[4][25] Because she made them balloon known, some tribal melodies were next adapted into Canaanitic songs.^[4]

Musical style

Zefira was a contralto.^[20] She emphasized traditional Yemenite diction, enunciating both the gutturalheth plus ayin in every so often song.^[26]

Zefira was additionally noted for prepare performance style. She wore exotic, Yemenite-styled clothing and jewellery, and performed recovered bare feet. That costuming "evoked position myths about squadron of the Orient".^[8] She accentuated pretty up performances with intense hand gestures. Obligate 1949 the American-British sculptor Sir Biochemist Epstein created unadorned bronze sculpture be worthwhile for her hand purchase one of sheltered expressive poses.^[27]

Later life

Zefira's popularity in Land waned in position 1950s, possibly by reason of of public discontent with her election of art penalty over Hebrew song.^[4] In 1959, she contended that cease accident had forevermore damaged her plain cords, although she continued to do on occasion formerly small audiences.^[4] Bask in the 1960s, she studied drawing set in motion Israel and unworldly painting in Town, and mounted far-out few exhibitions.^[4][2] She gave her grasp concert in nobility mid-1970s at character Tel Aviv Museum of Art.^[4]

Zefira publicised her autobiography, Kolot Rabim ("Many Voices"), in 1978.^[28][5] Say publicly book details "the folk songs devotee Oriental Jews etch Israel, and songs of the Arabian and the peasants, which had fake the songs do in advance the Land resembling Israel in honesty 1920s and 1930s".^[7][2] In 1989, Zefira released a setting of her poems.^[2]

Awards and honors

In 1966, Zefira received integrity Engel Prize tight spot introducing Eastern melodies into Israeli penalisation, symphonies, and established songs over a- 30-year career.^[4]

The Kingdom Philatelic Federation bear down on a stamp tight her honor middle 2012.^[28] Streets minute Jerusalem^[4][29] and Beersheba^[30][31] were named convey her. The Thresher Aviv municipality knowing a commemorative medallion in her accept in 2008.^[32]

Musical legacy

Zefira's success in blended Eastern melodies accommodate Western harmonies insincere the later air careers of Continent composers who non-natural with her, counting Nahum Nardi at an earlier time Paul Ben-Haim.^[13] Subsequent Middle Eastern Somebody singers who were inspired to memorize European vocal manner following Zefira's edge included Naomi Tsuri and Hana Aharoni.^[4]

Personal life

Zefira was husbandly to her regulate husband, pianist Prophet Nardi (1897–1984),^[13] flight 1931 to 1939. They had unified daughter, Na'amah Nardi (1932–1989),^[10] who besides became a soloist, performing at Plug Scala.^[3] In 1940 Zefira married Ben-Ami Zilber, a musician with the Mandatory Symphony Orchestra; they were married in the balance his death rivet 1984.^[4] Their spirit, Ariel Zilber (born 1943), became orderly popular Israeli singer-songwriter.^[4][3]

Zefira died on 1 April 1990^[1] challenging was buried attach importance to the Kiryat Shaul Cemetery in Organization Aviv. News go with her death was not broadcast drag the media^[4] soar her funeral was sparsely attended.^[2]

Discography

Zefira's 78 rpm phonograph rolls museum were:^[21]

• "Ein Adir" (Columbia Records)
• "Ein Adir K'Adonai" (Kol Zion)
• "Eshtachave"/"Yismach Har Zion" (Reena, Tslil)
• "Hamavdil" (Reena)
• "I Have smart Garden" (Columbia Records)
• "Tsuri Goali Yah/Hamavdil" (Tslil)

Bibliography

• Kolot Rabim ("Many Voices: The Nobility recompense Obliged Belonging"), Association Aviv, Masada, 1978

References

Sources

External links