New Item - Published by Magnes Press of Hebrew University Edited by Sinai Leichter Language: Hebrew, English, Yiddish 320 Pages Itzik Manger (1901-1969) stands out as the last great bearer of Yiddish song and humor, equal if not exceeding others in his power of feeling, invention, imagination and popular expression. His style of writing remained essentially the Yiddish of ordinary people, as spoken in shops and markets. To him, poetry was the supreme form of literature ? a direct and sublime means of communication between the poet and reader. Manger was divinely endowed with ?antennas? able to pick up delicate meaning often deliberately ambiguous, or intentionally obscure, dreamlike visions ? and transmit them to the reader. The lyrics and other texts in this volume, the seventh in the series of the Anthology of Yiddish Folksongs, are translated into Hebrew and English . The main purpose of this book is not to deal with Manger?s singular poetic style or unique sense of humor, all of which are no less the product of Manger?s genius, but to publish some 50 of his poems, set to music, in the hope that other composers will be attracted to their exotic beauty and will enrich the world of spiritual culture. |