Hora Dance

[Romanisipunctum]

Small correction: the Hora originates from Romania and was brought to Israel by ole hadas as much as was brought by Jewish immigrants to the States.The Israeli anthem also originates from Romania, with the author of its lyrics being from the Moldavian city of Iasi. The melody of the Israeli anthem is an old Romanian song called: Cucuruz ( You Tube it).

The Romanian hora was a sacred dance initially, invoking the planets' favorable gravitation for an abundant harvest (thus the curcular motions).

[buddmar]

@Romanisipunctum Interestingly all "American" folk dances originate from England/Scotland and Ireland. The US National Anthem was a British drinking song call "To Anacreon In Heaven" but we Americans know it as "The Star Spangled Banner."

[Romanisipunctum]

@buddmar

Thank you!

I didn't know the trivia about the British drinking song turned American anthem.

I have under my Favorites a phenomenal version of Romania, Romania by an American born Jewish tenor performing in Israel.

The best version so far of this classic and beautiful song...

You might enjoy it.

Best thoughts!

[Trevoc2]

@Romanisipunctum As an Israeli of Romanian heritage, its an interesting discovery to find out about the Hora and the Israeli National Anthem both credited to Romania.

Sunt mândri de a fi un roman israelian evreu

[Romanisipunctum]

@Trevoc2

Numai bine frate!

Sa traiesti!

[hoseajeremiah]

@Trevoc2 Sa traiesti frate! toate cele bune!

[tgoren]

@Romanisipunctum UHHHHH, no. The Israeli national anthem was based on a Czech classical melody, Moldau written during it's nationalist period by a composer called Smetana. Long before the song you are referring to- sorry to disappoint...but anyone who has ever taken a music history class knows this to be true... Seriously, it's great to be proud of your country, but don't make stuff up ;-) The proof- look up "Toscanini conducts Smetana Ma Vlast: No. 2. Vltava (Moldau)" on here.

[Romanisipunctum]

The arrangement by Shmuel Cohen from 1888 is based on a Romanian folk song he heard during his childhood in Romania, called "Cucuruz". If insulting people by accusing them that they "make up stuff" is what they taught you in order to teach "music history", that's a pretty bad school you went to (or perhaps you are overcompansating for some personal issues, I don't know; and since I don't have your degree in music history I don't make ad hominem attacks). The above are facts, uhhhhh or no uhhhhh.

[hoseajeremiah]

@Romanisipunctum Thank you for the wonderful explanations! I could not find anything in search to clarify if Hora is Jewish in origins or Romanian! Thx again!

[Romanisipunctum]

@hoseajeremiah My pleasure! The Museum of Tel Aviv has a historical picture of Rumanim ole hadas dancing a Romanian Hora in Palestine in the 1940's, prior to Israeli statehood.

God Bless!

[hoseajeremiah]

@Romanisipunctum May God bless you, too!

[hoseajeremiah]

@Romanisipunctum Wow! Hope to go there in one day, soon!

[silbermark]

@Romanisipunctum True! The Romanian/Moldavian song "Cucuruz cu Frunza-n Sus" originated from Italy hundreds of years ago, the melody is "La Mantovana" ... which inspired other songs as well. Just the the American National Anthem "The Star Spangled Banner" was originally a British tavern song: "To Anacreon In Heaven". Songs evolve and are adapted all the time!

[AndyMKordo]

@Romanisipunctum I'm a Jewish from Romania and it is amazing how similar the Romanian traditions and the Jewish traditions (especially Ashkenazi) are!

[Romanisipunctum]

@AndyMKordo Thank you for your reply. I have on my favorites many collections of Romanian-style folklore being performed in Romania, Israel, the USA, France, Japan, Switzerland, Italy etc. You are wellcome to visit and enjoy as many selections as you'd like. The December holidays are coming for both Christian and Hebrew faiths. I wish Happy Holidays to all, and may we celebrate with happiness and a pure heart our respective holidays in the spirit of ecumenical harmony!

God Bless! Doamne Ajuta!

[AndyMKordo]

@Romanisipunctum The traditions of the Ashkenazi Jews (I am Ashkenazi) are extremely similar to the Romanian ones (especially those in Transylvania). Jews are more similar to Romanians than any other people in the world! And the fact that I am a Romanian Jew makes me proud! My dad is Romanian and my mom is Jewish. I grew up in both traditions and I am proud of it!

Sarbatori fericite!

[Romanisipunctum]

@AndyMKordo Sarbatori Fericite, frate!

Best thoughts and much joy and happiness!

[bwaychick20]

We learned this in my theatre class, and then we did it at prom. It was Awesome!!