Arie Levanon, Israeli composer, dies at 91

Arie Levanon, who composed some of the most beautiful Israeli songs, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91. “He died in his home surrounded by his family members,” said his daughter.

Born in Romania in 1932, Levanon began his musical journey by playing the violin at age 10, and composing melodies a year later.

Although he initially aspired to be a conductor in the world of opera, life led him in different directions. He made aliyah in 1951 and pursued his musical education at the Academy of Music in Jerusalem. After graduation he served in the IDF as a musical instructor for Lehakat Pikud Merkaz, composing his first Israeli songs for them.

His compositions quickly gained popularity and brought him requests from theaters, record companies, and the Israeli Broadcasting Service. He later became a house arranger for Kol Israel, where he worked for two decades. 

Levanon collaborated with numerous stars in the Israeli music industry during the 1960s and 1970s. Notably, he was the first musical director for the popular Hagashash Hachiver trio and wrote scores for various movies and theater plays.

First prize in Israel Song Festival

One of his most famous songs, “Erev Ba,” (“Evening is Coming”) won the first prize at the first Israel Song Festival in 1960. He composed many other well-loved Israeli songs, such as “Zemer Shlosh Hateshuvot” (“The Song of Three Answers”), “Lipa Haeglon” (“Lipa the Coachman”), “Shir Roim” (“The Shepherd’s Song”), and many more. His songs were performed by some of the greatest Israeli singers of his time, among them, Arik Einstein, Ran & Nama, Arik Lavi, and Esther Ofarim.

In an interview published in Ha’aretz in 2015, Levanon credited his influences from Mediterranean and Arab music. He said that he appreciated the music of the Arab, Spanish, and Yemenite traditions, and confessed that he aimed to create a style that could be understood and appreciated by both Mizrahi and Ashkenazi audiences. 

One of his personal favorites was the song “Tiyul B’Shnaim” (“A Walk for Two”), performed by Ran & Nama, which he considered his greatest contribution to Israeli music. 

Colleagues and collaborators remember Arie Levanon as a gentle and humble man who was always encouraging and appreciative.