Chava Alberstein
Encyclopedia
Chava Alberstein is an Israeli singer, lyricist
, composer
, and musical arranger.
, Poland, moved to Israel
with her family in 1950. She grew up in Kiryat Haim
.
In 1964, when she was 17, she was invited to appear at the Hammam Nightclub in Jaffa
. She sang four songs accompanied by herself on guitar and her brother Alex on the clarinet. The program was broadcast live on the radio. After a guest appearance on Moadon Hazemer, recorded on Kibbutz
Beit Alfa
, she signed a recording contract with CBS
. Early in her career, she appeared at the Amami Cinema in Haifa
's Neve Sha'anan
neighborhood. Haaretz
columnist Neri Livneh describes her as "a little slip of a thing in a blue youth movement shirt, her face covered by huge glasses."
Alberstein was drafted into the Israel Defense Force in 1965, and became one of many Israeli artists to rise to stardom by entertaining the troops.
, English and Yiddish. In 1980, Alberstein began to write and compose. Most of the songs on her album Mehagrim (Immigrants) are her own work. Alberstein's husband is the filmmaker Nadav Levitan
, who wrote the lyrics for her "End of the Holiday" album. In 1986 she wrote music for Levitan's film Yaldei Stalin
(Children of Stalin). Her songs have been included in a number of multi-artist collections, among them "Songs of The Vilna Ghetto
" and "The Hidden Gate – Jewish Music Around the World."
, Alberstein is the most important female folk singer
in Israel history:
and Arab-Israeli unity. In 1989, Alberstein's song Had Gadya (a spin-off on a traditional song named Chad Gadya
which sung at the Passover seder
during Passover
s) in which she criticizes Israel's policy towards Palestinian
s, was banned by Israel State Radio. The song was later used in the movie Free Zone
by director Amos Gitai
in Natalie Portman
's 7-minute crying scene.
Alberstein is also a champion of the Yiddish language both in her recordings and in a video titled "Too Early To Be Quiet, Too Late To Sing" which showcases the works of Yiddish poets.
In 2005, she was voted the 93rd-greatest Israeli of all time, in a poll by the Israeli news website Ynet
to determine whom the general public considered the 200 Greatest Israelis.
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, and musical arranger.
Biography
Chava Alberstein, born in SzczecinSzczecin
Szczecin , is the capital city of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. It is the country's seventh-largest city and the largest seaport in Poland on the Baltic Sea. As of June 2009 the population was 406,427....
, Poland, moved to Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
with her family in 1950. She grew up in Kiryat Haim
Kiryat Haim
Kiryat Haim is one of the five Krayot suburbs located north of Haifa, Israel. In 2003, Kiryat Haim had a population of 40,000. Kiryat Haim is within the municipal borders of the city of Haifa, and lies on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea.-History:...
.
In 1964, when she was 17, she was invited to appear at the Hammam Nightclub in Jaffa
Jaffa
Jaffa is an ancient port city believed to be one of the oldest in the world. Jaffa was incorporated with Tel Aviv creating the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Jaffa is famous for its association with the biblical story of the prophet Jonah.-Etymology:...
. She sang four songs accompanied by herself on guitar and her brother Alex on the clarinet. The program was broadcast live on the radio. After a guest appearance on Moadon Hazemer, recorded on Kibbutz
Kibbutz
A kibbutz is a collective community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture. Today, farming has been partly supplanted by other economic branches, including industrial plants and high-tech enterprises. Kibbutzim began as utopian communities, a combination of socialism and Zionism...
Beit Alfa
Beit Alfa
Beit Alfa is a kibbutz in the Northern District of Israel, near the Gilboa ridge.-History:The kibbutz was founded in 1922 by Hashomer Hatzair volunteers. The first members came from Poland. In 1940 some of the members, affiliated with Hashomer Hatzair, moved to Ramat Yohanan kibbutz, in exchange...
, she signed a recording contract with CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
. Early in her career, she appeared at the Amami Cinema in Haifa
Haifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
's Neve Sha'anan
Neve Sha'anan (Haifa)
Neve Sha'anan is a neighborhood in eastern Haifa, Israel that extends from the lower inclines of Mount Carmel to midway across its slopes.-History:Neve Sha'anan was founded in 1922. The name is based on a verse in the Bible...
neighborhood. Haaretz
Haaretz
Haaretz is Israel's oldest daily newspaper. It was founded in 1918 and is now published in both Hebrew and English in Berliner format. The English edition is published and sold together with the International Herald Tribune. Both Hebrew and English editions can be read on the Internet...
columnist Neri Livneh describes her as "a little slip of a thing in a blue youth movement shirt, her face covered by huge glasses."
Alberstein was drafted into the Israel Defense Force in 1965, and became one of many Israeli artists to rise to stardom by entertaining the troops.
Musical career
Alberstein has released more than 60 albums. She has recorded in HebrewHebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
, English and Yiddish. In 1980, Alberstein began to write and compose. Most of the songs on her album Mehagrim (Immigrants) are her own work. Alberstein's husband is the filmmaker Nadav Levitan
Nadav Levitan
Nadav Levitan was an Israeli film director, screenwriter, writer and songwriter. He directed nine films between 1981 and 1999. His film Yaldei Stalin was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival.. He was married to Israeli singer Chava Alberstein, who had recorded...
, who wrote the lyrics for her "End of the Holiday" album. In 1986 she wrote music for Levitan's film Yaldei Stalin
Stalin's Disciples
Stalin's Disciples is a 1986 Israeli film directed by Nadav Levitan. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Aharon Almog* Ezra Dagan* Rahel Dobson* Doron Golan* Yossi Kantz* David Rona...
(Children of Stalin). Her songs have been included in a number of multi-artist collections, among them "Songs of The Vilna Ghetto
Songs of The Vilna Ghetto
Songs of the Vilna Ghetto is a now out-of-print album featuring Yiddish songs from the World War II era. The traditional songs are sung by Nechama Hendel, Chava Alberstein, and Shimon Israeli with accompaniment from the CBS Israel Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Gil Aldema...
" and "The Hidden Gate – Jewish Music Around the World."
Critical acclaim
According to Israel's largest daily newspaper Yedioth AhronothYedioth Ahronoth
Yedioth Ahronoth is a daily newspaper published in Tel Aviv, Israel. Since the 1970s, it has been the most widely circulated paper in Israel. In a TGI survey comparing the last half of 2009 with the same period in 2008, Yedioth Ahronoth retained the title of most widely read newspaper in Israel...
, Alberstein is the most important female folk singer
Folk Singer
Folk Singer is a 1964 album by Muddy Waters. Waters plays acoustic guitar, backed by Willie Dixon on string bass, Clifton James on drums, and Buddy Guy on acoustic guitar...
in Israel history:
Political views and controversy
Alberstein is a champion of liberal causes. Throughout her career she has been an activist for human rightsHuman rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and Arab-Israeli unity. In 1989, Alberstein's song Had Gadya (a spin-off on a traditional song named Chad Gadya
Chad Gadya
Chad Gadya is a playful cumulative song in Aramaic and Hebrew. It is sung at the end of the Passover Seder, the Jewish ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover...
which sung at the Passover seder
Passover Seder
The Passover Seder is a Jewish ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. It is conducted on the evenings of the 14th day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, and on the 15th by traditionally observant Jews living outside Israel. This corresponds to late March or April in...
during Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
s) in which she criticizes Israel's policy towards Palestinian
Palestinian people
The Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs , are an Arabic-speaking people with origins in Palestine. Despite various wars and exoduses, roughly one third of the world's Palestinian population continues to reside in the area encompassing the West Bank, the Gaza...
s, was banned by Israel State Radio. The song was later used in the movie Free Zone
Free Zone (film)
Free Zone is a 2005 film directed by Amos Gitai. Shot in Israel and Jordan, the Israel-Belgium-French-Spain production stars Israeli Jewish actress Hanna Laslo, Palestinian Arab actress Hiam Abbass, and Israeli-American actress Natalie Portman....
by director Amos Gitai
Amos Gitai
Amos Gitai , born 11 October 1950 in Haifa, Israel, is an Israeli filmmaker and director. He is mainly known for making documentaries and experimental / minimalist feature films...
in Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman
Natalie Hershlag , better known by her stage name Natalie Portman, is an actress with dual American and Israeli citizenship. Her first role was as an orphan taken in by a hitman in the 1994 French action film Léon, but major success came when she was cast as Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel...
's 7-minute crying scene.
Alberstein is also a champion of the Yiddish language both in her recordings and in a video titled "Too Early To Be Quiet, Too Late To Sing" which showcases the works of Yiddish poets.
Awards
Alberstein won the Kinor David (David's Harp) Prize.In 2005, she was voted the 93rd-greatest Israeli of all time, in a poll by the Israeli news website Ynet
Ynet
Ynet is the most popular Israeli news and general content website. It is owned by the same conglomerate that operates Yediot Ahronot, the country's secondleading daily newspaper...
to determine whom the general public considered the 200 Greatest Israelis.
Quotes
- "Even though I have lived in Israel nearly my entire life, I am constantly questioning my place in the world. Maybe this searching comes from being an artist, maybe it comes from being a Jew. I’m not really sure."
Discography
| Number | Album Name | (English) | Release Date | Language | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hine Lanu Nigun | Here We Have a Tune | 1967 | Hebrew | |
| 2 | Perach haLilach | Lilac Flower | 1967 | Hebrew | |
| 3 | Tza'atzueiah shel Osnat | Osnat's Toys | 1967 | Hebrew | |
| 4 | Mirdaf | The Chase | 1970 | Hebrew | gold |
| 5 | Mot haParpar | Death of the Butterfly | 1968 | Hebrew | |
| 6 | Chava Alberstein beShirei Rachel | Songs of Rachel | 1969 | Hebrew | |
| 7 | Margaritkalach | Daisies | 1969 | Yiddish | |
| 8 | Mishirei eretz ahavati | Songs of My Beloved Country | 1970 | Hebrew | |
| 9 | Chava beTochnit Yachid 1 | One Woman Show 1 | 1971 | ||
| 10 | Chava beTochnit Yachid 2 | One Woman Show 2 | 1971 | ||
| 11 | Isha ba'Avatiach | A Woman in a Watermelon | 1971 | Hebrew | |
| 12 | Chava vehaPlatina | Chava and the Platina Jazz band | 1974 | ||
| 13 | Chava veOded be'Eretz haKsamim | Magic Land | 1972 | ||
| 14 | Lu Yehi | Let it be | 1973 | Hebrew | |
| 15 | K'mo Tzemach bar | Like a wild flower | 1975 | Hebrew | |
| 16 | Lehitei haZahav | Golden hits | 1975 | Hebrew | gold |
| 17 | Tzolelet Tzabarit | Sabra Submarine | 1975 or 1976 | ||
| 18 | Elik Belik Bom | 1976 | |||
| 19 | Halaila hu shirim | The Night Is Songs | 1977 | Hebrew | |
| 20 | Karusella 1 | Carousel 1 | 1977 | ||
| 21 | Karusella 2 | Carousel 2 | 1977 | ||
| 22 | Karusella 3 | Carousel 3 | 1977 | ||
| 23 | Shirei Am beYiddish | Yiddish folk songs | 1977 | Yiddish | |
| 24 | Hitbaharut | Clearing | 1978 | ||
| 25 | Chava vehaGitara | Chava and the guitar | 1978 | ||
| 26 | Chava Zingt Yiddish | Chava Sings Yiddish | 1979 | Yiddish | |
| 27 | Ma Kara ba'Eretz Mi | What Happened in the Land of Who | 1979 | ||
| 28 | Ani Holechet Elai | I Go to Me | 1980 | ||
| 29 | Shir beMatana | A Gift of Songs | 1980 | ||
| 30 | Kolot | Voices | 1982 | ||
| 31 | Shiru Shir im Chava | Sing a song with Chava | 1982 | ||
| 32 | Nemal Bayit | At Home | 1983 | gold | |
| 33 | Avak shel kochavim | Stardust | 1984 | ||
| 34 | Mehagrim | Immigrants | 1986 | ||
| 35 | Od Shirim beYiddish | More Songs in Yiddish | 1987 | Yiddish | |
| 36 | HaTzorech baMilah, haTzorech baShtika | Word And Silence | 1988 | ||
| 37 | London | 1989 | |||
| 38 | MiShirei Eretz Ahavati | Songs of my Beloved Country | 1990 | Hebrew | |
| 39 | Ahava Mealteret | Improvised Love | 1991 | Hebrew | gold |
| 40 | HaChita Zomachat Shuv | The Wheat Grows Again | 1992 | Hebrew | |
| 41 | The Man I Love | 1992 | |||
| 42 | Margaritkalach | Daisies | 1994 | Yiddish | |
| 43 | Derech Achat | One Way | 1995 | ||
| 44 | London beHofaah | London – Live | 1995 | ||
| 45 | Yonat ha'Ahava | The Dove of Love | 1996 | Hebrew | |
| 46 | Adaber Itcha | I Will Talk to You | 1997 | Hebrew | |
| 47 | The Collection (box set) | 1998 | Hebrew | gold | |
| 48 | Crazy Flower | 1998 | Hebrew | ||
| 49 | The Well – With The Klezmatics | 1998 | Yiddish | ||
| 50 | Chava Alberstein – Yiddish Songs | 1999 | Yiddish | ||
| 51 | Tekhef Ashuv | Be Right Back | 1999 | Hebrew | |
| 52 | Children's songs – The Collection | 2000 | Hebrew | ||
| 53 | Foreign Letters | 2001 December | |||
| 54 | The Early Years – The Box Set | 2003 | |||
| 55 | End of the Holiday | 2004 | Hebrew | ||
| 56 | Coconut | 2005 | Hebrew | ||
| 57 | Like a Wild Flower (New Version) | ||||
| 58 | Lemele | 2006 | |||
| 59 | The Milky Way – Songs for Children | 2007 | |||
| 60 | Human Nature | 2008 | |||
| 61 | live – from alberstien's live concert | 2008 | |||
| 62 | Chava Alberstein – the original albums – four collection CD set | 2008 | | |
External links
- http://www.aviv2.com/chava/index.htmlChava at Aviv ProductionsAviv ProductionsAviv Productions, Inc. is a North American arts and entertainment agency, founded in 1994 and headed by Itzik Becher, President. It manages, books, and produces various genres of music, dance, and drama. Its artists perform in concert halls worldwide...
] - Chava Albertstein, Israeli Singer and Peace Activist (NPR Interview)
- Alberstein, Chava (1947–) – Personal history, Influences and contributions, The first years (1967–69, Biographical highlights, Personal chronology, The 1970s
- Nathan Shahar, Chava Alberstein, Jewish Women Encyclopedia