Israeli Music

Israeli Music - Overview

• Israeli music is a unique blend of musical influences from across the world, reflecting the country’s diverse culture.
• Combines Eastern European (Ashkenazi), Mediterranean, Arabic, and Western pop influences.
• Traditional Jewish religious themes and songs play a foundational role in the music of Israel.
• Along with Hebrew, language used in Israeli music often includes Arabic, Russian, Amharic, and Ladino.

Traditional Israeli Music

• Folk dances, such as the circle dance ‘Hora’, are central to traditional Israeli music.
• Traditional songs are often based around the Bible, historical events, or love and nature.
• Instruments featured in traditional music include the oud, the shofar, the kanun, and the violin.

Modern Israeli Music

• In the 1950s and 1960s, a style called Israeli folk emerged, influenced by folk music from around the world.
• Israel’s pop and rock scene emerged in the 1970s and 1980s and continues to thrive.
• Today’s Israeli music scene is home to a number of successful pop, rock and hip-hop artists who are gaining international recognition.

Notable Israeli Musicians

• Notable musicians include Ofra Haza, who brought Yemenite tunes to pop music, and Itzhak Perlman, a world-renowned violinist.
• Netta Barzilai, the winner of the 2018 Eurovision song contest, highlights the ongoing impact of Israeli musicians on the global stage.

Understanding Israeli Music

• Israeli music is an example of a cultural melting pot, mirroring the country’s multicultural and multiethnic society.
• It serves as a reflection of the country’s history and is often used as a tool for expressing social and political ideas.
• Listening and understanding Israeli music can provide insights into the country’s rich cultural heritage, societal changes, and the continuing struggles faced by its people.