Language:
English
Year of publication:
2021
Titel der Quelle:
Studia Judaica
Angaben zur Quelle:
23 (2021) 51-80
Keywords:
Goldfaden, Abraham,
;
Songs, Yiddish History and criticism
;
Songs, Hebrew History and criticism
;
Folk songs
;
Lullabies
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Songs and music
;
History and criticism
Abstract:
In this paper, I will try to explain the construction of songs as cultural artefacts possessing an aura that transcends their musical-poetic structure to make them survive as traditional folk-songs in the perplexing contemporary world. I chose the well-known Yiddish lullaby, Rozhinkes mit mandlen (Raisins and Almonds) which was created by Abraham Goldfaden for the first Yiddish Operetta Shulamith. This popular song is based on a Yiddish folk song which was forgotten, and instead the popular theatre song became the folksong. I analysed several published and recorded versions of the song in order to see the song’s place as a metaphor for Yiddish folk culture. I followed the song’s progress for over 100 years and showed how it combines past present and future, reality, myth, beliefs and identities. I conclude with discovery of the song’s melody as an international instrumental piece called Raisins and Almonds.
DOI:
10.24193/sj.2021.v23.3
URL:
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