Naomi Shemer (1930- 2004)

Timeless Naomi Shemer 1930-2004 - In Memoriam

Naomi Shemer, Israel's premier songwriter and composer of half a century, died on 26th June 2004 after a long illness. Known in Israel as a lyricist, musician and performer of a wide range of melodious songs, she is best known worldwide for "Yerushalayim shel Zahav"* -"Jerusalem of Gold".

Many of her songs were often written for other performers, from "Hurshat HaEcalyptus" - "The Ecalyptus Grove", through "Lu Yehi" - "Let It Be", "Al Kol Eleh"* - "For All of These Things" and "Ani Gitara" - "I am a Guitar". She also set to music the works of other writers and translated songs and poetry into Hebrew. The message of love of Eretz Yisrael - the Land of Israel - and its scenery, together with the hope for peace, became tinged with pathos in her later compositions; as a whole, she was both artiste and artist, creating a timeless yet contemporary tapestry of Israel in music, lyrics and presentation. Her insightful children's songs continued to offer an enchanting and appealing world of hope. While often compared to the poetess Rahel , Naomi Shemer's descriptive and complex songs expressed a plurality of style and subject, and were set in the plural, as well as the personal.

In 2000, the Israel Broadcasting Authority produced a 70th birthday tribute to Naomi Shemer, in which she participated. In May 2003, Naomi Shemer published a new collection of her works in Hebrew, entitled, "Landmarks - 121 Selected Songs".

Naomi Shemer will be mourned by everyone whom she has touched with her songs. Song-writer Yoram Tahar-Lev said that Naomi Shemer transformed the genre of Israeli folksong from a confused jumble of styles into what it is today, and that perhaps the most fitting epitaph was the song "Ani Gitara" that she wrote for singer Benny Amdursky (z"l) during his own illness. President Moshe Katsav said that Naomi Shemer was a landmark figure in Israeli song and that her words and melodies would remain with us all.

Naomi Shemer wished to be buried in the home of her youth, Kvutzat Kinneret, by the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), also the resting place of Rahel. She is survived by her husband, two children and four grandchildren. Shemer was given the Israel Prize for her work in 1987, and awarded an honorary doctorate by Tel Aviv University three years ago.

Gila Ansell Brauner

Browse some more:
English http://www.jafi.org.il/education/100/people/BIOS/shemer.html
Hebrew http://www.jafi.org.il/education/100/hebrew/people/shemer.html

Write your thoughts about Naomi Shemer, or send condolences in our Forum:
http://www.jewish-world.org.il/Forum/ViewForumReg.asp?Language=english&pagelink=161&forumID=485

English obituary:
'Jerusalem of Gold' composer Naomi Shemer dies at 74, Sagui Ben-Nun and Gidi Havivi
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/443591.html
OR: Naomi Shemer, first lady of Israeli song
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/443687.html
Additional article: All the light, all the time, Doron Rosenblum
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/443677.html

Hebrew supplement
http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/pages/LiArtSR.jhtml?objNo=56553

*50 Years of Hebrew Song (English, Hebrew, music) http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/History/Modern+History/Israel+at+50/50+Years+of+Hebrew+Song.htm

Discography

Asif Part 1
http://www.judaicawebstore.com/store/merchant.mv?
Screen=PROD&Store_Code=001&Product_Code=9991055&Category_Code=Collections

Asif Part 2
http://www.israel-music.com/?product=1075

4 songbooks on sale
http://www.sheetmusiccatalog.com/artist_search.asp?artist_name=Naomi+Shemer&NAV=0

List of the songs for songbook #4
http://www.jewishmusic.com/index.asp?FID=2101&ACT=4&ID_Prd={8FC04425-C60C-4E17-920D-627B23AE6D07}

[Top] [People] [ Zionist Century] [Homepage]