This song expresses the longing for Jewish life in Bălţi, Bessarabia. The words were written by the actor Jacob Jacobs (1892-1972), and the melody composed by Alexander Olshanetsky (1892-1946), who wrote scores for plays and operettas in the vibrant Yiddish theater world on New York's Second Avenue. The song was written in 1932 for the play Ghetto Song (Yiddish) as a tribute to the famous singer Isa Kremer, born in Bălţi, who was probably the first to perform it.
@eel1452 Being of Bessarabian descent, I was always told this song was about a town in Bessarabia. Now I see there is plenty of scholarship that confirms this.
My ancesters were from Kishinev, Bessarabia (now called Chisinau, Moldova) and I was informed the song was about a town in Bessarabia - has the same name as the one on the Polish/Ukrainian border - but the song was definately about the Bessarabian one. It makes sense to me because Romanian ("Roumania, Roumania!") and Bessarabian Jews were very attached and nostalgic about their homelands, the Czarist pogroms notwithstanding.
It is the most annoying thing here. Due to "some maintanace" works on the site, some comments disapper. I tried to claim on it - without any reply. I would be most obliged if you coud STILL repeat what you wanted to write; thanks.
thats correct : "mayn shtetele Beltz / my village Beltz" was composed in 1932 by Olshanetsky - Jacobs for jewish (yiddish) operetta "the song from ghetto"
All sources from thirties that I know present names: Burstein, Lith-Frey, Roman as original authors of the song. The added name Roman on Polish records may denote the author of Polish lyrics.
Thanks for comments which broaden this aspect; this way the thing becomes even more legendary than we could have thought.
Belz (Белз) apparently is a tiny town (2400 inhabitants) currently forming part of the Ukrainian province of Lviv (Львів). The song was composed, as I found thanks to the internet, in 1932 by Alexander Olshanetzky on lyrics by Jacob Jacobs. Sadly discographies do not mention recording dates. I sent you the more detailed file separately.
There is on the web a fairly detailed descripotion of the place from which I had began my preparation.
As for the compser, there is still one more name which can be found. Thanks for your additive but I'd rather rely on originals from the period which are in my hands although it will soon also slip into legend, I feel it that way...Thanks.
I am having a visit of a wonderful Russian-American-Jew couple and surrandered the atmosphere...:-)
A beautiful version indeed by this Yiddish composer, lyricist and singer. Yes, ksmp01, he happened to have been was born in
Belz, a small town in Eastern Galicia, Poland, now part of the Ukrain. Fascinating that it was published in Tel Aviv (in the 30's!) In American sources the composition is attributed to Alexander Olshanetsky (Olszaniecki according to one spelling)
Polish-born Benzion (or Ben Tsion) Witler (1905-1961) is a cult figure in Hebrew cultural scene; he had a repertoire of about 200 songs; his scarce recordings are true collectors' items, take care of this great record! Belz seems to be his place of birth. Do you know this place?
As you may have noticed i called it semi-mythical place; never was there. But my girlfriend was making an organized tour through these areas a month ago; showed me photos - nothing what may be of the air of the song. And nothing except for one obelisc reminding Jews. Says, better listen to the song and dream a while.
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YonaArieFeinberg 2 weeks ago
This song expresses the longing for Jewish life in Bălţi, Bessarabia. The words were written by the actor Jacob Jacobs (1892-1972), and the melody composed by Alexander Olshanetsky (1892-1946), who wrote scores for plays and operettas in the vibrant Yiddish theater world on New York's Second Avenue. The song was written in 1932 for the play Ghetto Song (Yiddish) as a tribute to the famous singer Isa Kremer, born in Bălţi, who was probably the first to perform it.
eel1452 8 months ago
@eel1452 Being of Bessarabian descent, I was always told this song was about a town in Bessarabia. Now I see there is plenty of scholarship that confirms this.
philadelmar 1 month ago
ta piosenka mówi o Żydach w Polska, to zarówno smutne, piękne, to użyć, aby krzyk mój ojciec.
normx9 9 months ago
Who plays the violin? what a beautiful sound!
StephaneGrappelli 1 year ago
I am so happy to hear Benzion after so many years. My father used to play this song and others. Sadly all the LPs wre lost.
My favourite is called "Yisroel, Yisroel" die my ninetsing land, Yisroel'
Yisroel, Yisroel, die vis vuxen, die vis laben.
Um Yisroel Chai.
A song that cannot fail to touch the heart.
JaiSea1 2 years ago
Merci pour cette très belle interprétation. En connaissez-vous une, chantée par une femme, avec cette même sensibilité et un tempo lent?
Même question pour Papirossen, Glick, Papier ist doch weiss?
encore merci
claudio94100 2 years ago
its song about my city Beltsy or Beltc-however this song was written to Isabella Kramer, opera singer, who was born in my city
javacacava 2 years ago
Thank you.
Isa Kremer sings two songs on my channel.
jurek46pink 2 years ago
qu'est ce qu'il reste de nous, poïlishe Yidn?.... Souvenirs des grands parents, du gefilte fish et des pages du UNZER VORT...
Chalom alle Yidn. Zait alles gezint.
vijnitz 3 years ago
A 75 ans je retrouve cette chanson que mon père chantait. Incroyable comme les souvenirs refleurissent.Merci beaucoup.
Charles
chzalber 3 years ago 3
My ancesters were from Kishinev, Bessarabia (now called Chisinau, Moldova) and I was informed the song was about a town in Bessarabia - has the same name as the one on the Polish/Ukrainian border - but the song was definately about the Bessarabian one. It makes sense to me because Romanian ("Roumania, Roumania!") and Bessarabian Jews were very attached and nostalgic about their homelands, the Czarist pogroms notwithstanding.
buddmar 3 years ago
très belle interprétation en yiddish ein merrayé
merci de cette trouvaille si vous en avez d'autre avec grand plaisir
Merci d'une parisienne d'origine juive polonaise
lilicroix 4 years ago
Merci - thanks - dziękuję !
jurek46pink 4 years ago
pas de quoi tout le plaisir est pour nous.
lilicroix 4 years ago
magnifique et très sensible chanson témoin de la culture yiddish et de la beauté intérieur des juifs d'europe de l'est
kabylebien 3 years ago
Ben-Zion Witler himself was born in Belz (near Lviv or Lemberg) in 1905 and died in Argentina in 1961
agneyvefunb 4 years ago
Thank you. In Polish: Lwów.
jurek46pink 4 years ago
thank YOU for your nice work
ps
sorry, i don't know Polish, but in Russian it spells "equally" : Lwow :)
agneyvefunb 4 years ago
very strange thing :(
i "had" 4 comments : 2 short and 2 "long", but can see only first ... :(
agneyvefunb 4 years ago
It is the most annoying thing here. Due to "some maintanace" works on the site, some comments disapper. I tried to claim on it - without any reply. I would be most obliged if you coud STILL repeat what you wanted to write; thanks.
jurek46pink 4 years ago
in "shorts" :)
thats correct : "mayn shtetele Beltz / my village Beltz" was composed in 1932 by Olshanetsky - Jacobs for jewish (yiddish) operetta "the song from ghetto"
agneyvefunb 4 years ago
its works ! :)
but this song, as a whole play, is "dedicated" to Bessarabian (province in russian empire, now moldova) Beltz (not polish / ukrainian Belz)
agneyvefunb 4 years ago
:-)...I know this "theory", which for me makes the song and the place only even more mythical.
jurek46pink 4 years ago
Thank you very much. Polish sources from the period I already presented.
jurek46pink 4 years ago
will repeat here:
All sources from thirties that I know present names: Burstein, Lith-Frey, Roman as original authors of the song. The added name Roman on Polish records may denote the author of Polish lyrics.
Thanks for comments which broaden this aspect; this way the thing becomes even more legendary than we could have thought.
jurek46pink 4 years ago
Very moving. Thank you for sharing this. Regards, J.
fuzzbear6240 4 years ago
Belz (Белз) apparently is a tiny town (2400 inhabitants) currently forming part of the Ukrainian province of Lviv (Львів). The song was composed, as I found thanks to the internet, in 1932 by Alexander Olshanetzky on lyrics by Jacob Jacobs. Sadly discographies do not mention recording dates. I sent you the more detailed file separately.
kspm01 4 years ago
There is on the web a fairly detailed descripotion of the place from which I had began my preparation.
As for the compser, there is still one more name which can be found. Thanks for your additive but I'd rather rely on originals from the period which are in my hands although it will soon also slip into legend, I feel it that way...Thanks.
I am having a visit of a wonderful Russian-American-Jew couple and surrandered the atmosphere...:-)
jurek46pink 4 years ago
Unglaublich! Diese Musik geht unter die Haut. Mehr davon!
tangoffm 4 years ago
A beautiful version indeed by this Yiddish composer, lyricist and singer. Yes, ksmp01, he happened to have been was born in
Belz, a small town in Eastern Galicia, Poland, now part of the Ukrain. Fascinating that it was published in Tel Aviv (in the 30's!) In American sources the composition is attributed to Alexander Olshanetsky (Olszaniecki according to one spelling)
dzheger 4 years ago
This very recording I assess to be made not earlier than mid late 50.
Thank you for yur comments and that emotion is able to recall emotion.
jurek46pink 4 years ago
Polish-born Benzion (or Ben Tsion) Witler (1905-1961) is a cult figure in Hebrew cultural scene; he had a repertoire of about 200 songs; his scarce recordings are true collectors' items, take care of this great record! Belz seems to be his place of birth. Do you know this place?
kspm01 4 years ago
As you may have noticed i called it semi-mythical place; never was there. But my girlfriend was making an organized tour through these areas a month ago; showed me photos - nothing what may be of the air of the song. And nothing except for one obelisc reminding Jews. Says, better listen to the song and dream a while.
jurek46pink 4 years ago