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The Music Room => Composer Discussion => Topic started by: vandermolen on April 19, 2007, 04:40:56 AM

Title: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 19, 2007, 04:40:56 AM
Bloch is a rather unfashionable composer but I think his music is great. It varies from the more biblical Hollywood epic type scores (which I like) including "Israel Symphony" "Voice in the Wilderness" "Sacred Service" to the more intimate string quartets and fine piano quintets, not to mention his most popular works "Schelomo" and the Violin Concerto.  At times he even reminds me of Vaughan Williams (passages of the Sacred Service).

There is also a fine Chandos CD of the epic "Concerto Symphonique" for piano and orchestra which I strongly recommend with the string quartets (1-4 are on Decca with the great Griller String Quartet).
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: aquablob on April 19, 2007, 04:58:09 AM
Have you heard his three-movement piano work, Poems of the Sea?
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 19, 2007, 06:30:31 AM
Quote from: aquariuswb on April 19, 2007, 04:58:09 AM
Have you heard his three-movement piano work, Poems of the Sea?

Yes, it is v good. I have both the piano and orchestral versions. I like "Visions and Prophecies" piano version of "Voice in the Wilderness" on Chandos. Do you know it?
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Harry on April 19, 2007, 07:07:58 AM
Not much in my collection from this composer but this one is recent.
Have not given it a spin yet. :)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 19, 2007, 07:28:10 AM
Quote from: Harry on April 19, 2007, 07:07:58 AM
Not much in my collection from this composer but this one is recent.
Have not given it a spin yet. :)

Bloch and Honegger are two of my favourite composers. "Liturgique Symphony" by Honegger is a great, powerfully visionary score.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Guido on April 19, 2007, 08:00:46 AM
Those two pieces are both wonderful Harry. The Bloch is standard Cello repertoire and is probably the most stormily emotional and dramatic romantic work in the repertory. Think the drama of the opening of the Elgar concerto, but all the way through!

Its funny about Bloch, and his occasional passages of 'Englishness'. Probably to do with the modality, but he was held in high regard by a fair few early 20th century English composers.

The three cello suites from the final year of his life are often overlooked, but all are extremely beautiful and worthwhile. The first is my personal favourite, and I don;t understand why they haven't made it into the standard reperotire. His three pieces fro Jewish life definitely are though (Prayer, Supplication and Jewish Song).
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: aquablob on April 19, 2007, 08:11:44 AM
Quote from: Captain Haddock on April 19, 2007, 06:30:31 AM
Yes, it is v good. I have both the piano and orchestral versions. I like "Visions and Prophecies" piano version of "Voice in the Wilderness" on Chandos. Do you know it?

No, I don't, but perhaps I'll check it out.

In the mean time, here is a file I just uploaded of my girlfriend playing "Poems of the Sea" at our piano recital last year (the file will expire after 7 days): http://download.yousendit.com/AC20170D0E1129AC
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: lukeottevanger on April 19, 2007, 08:15:27 AM
Quote from: Guido on April 19, 2007, 08:00:46 AM
His three pieces fro Jewish life definitely are though (Prayer, Supplication and Jewish Song).

...memories of cello Grade 8..... ;)

I've got quite a lot of Bloch, especially his chamber music. Not quite sure why, as to be honest I don't listen to it all that much, though when I do I like it quite a bit. However, his Piano Quintets are powerful works, among the very best things in that genre.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 19, 2007, 09:03:42 AM
Quote from: aquariuswb on April 19, 2007, 08:11:44 AM
No, I don't, but perhaps I'll check it out.

In the mean time, here is a file I just uploaded of my girlfriend playing "Poems of the Sea" at our piano recital last year (the file will expire after 7 days): http://download.yousendit.com/AC20170D0E1129AC

Unfortunately my computer can't play the file but thanks anyway.  I have a nice Bloch CD with Poems of the Sea (Orchestral version), violin Concerto and Voice in the Wilderness (Cappricio label).

I agree that the Cello Suites, Violin Sonatas are fine works.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 04, 2008, 02:55:21 PM
I don't think that there has been a Bloch thread.  He is a very unfashionable composer now but was highly regarded in his day. There are some good Naxos releases but the one I wanted to mention was the Goldner String Quartet and Piers Lane performing the two piano quintets and other chamber works on Hyperion: a wonderful disc. The epic Piano Quintet No 1 is well worth getting to know if you don't know it.  Bloch writes in a tonal but very searching 20th century idiom. I rank him with Vaughan Williams, as a very great composer who deserves to be much better known.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bloch-Piano-Quintets-Goldner-Qt/dp/B000WE5G6W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1207349293&sr=1-1
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Kullervo on April 04, 2008, 02:58:41 PM
Are there any recordings of his complete string quartets?
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 04, 2008, 03:09:37 PM
Quote from: Corey on April 04, 2008, 02:58:41 PM
Are there any recordings of his complete string quartets?


There is a very fine Decca Oriinal Masters CD of string quartets 1-4 (he wrote 5) played by the Griller Quartet. They recorded them before Bloch wrote No 5 but there are other recordings of it. String Quartet No 1 is one of Bloch's finest utterances, lasting almost one hour. I strongly recommend this set.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bloch-String-Quartets-Griller-Quartet/dp/B000276K3M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1207350610&sr=1-1
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Daverz on April 04, 2008, 03:20:34 PM
Quote from: Corey on April 04, 2008, 02:58:41 PM
Are there any recordings of his complete string quartets?

The Pro Arte Quartet recorded them all for Laurel Records, and these are all currently in print.  I ordered them directly from Laurel Records.  Oddly, the recording of 5 seems to be in mono, at least to my ears.  I guess they recorded it that way live and decided to wax it as is.  I should add that otherwise the production quality is very high.

http://www.laurelrecord.com/
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Kullervo on April 04, 2008, 03:30:07 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 04, 2008, 03:09:37 PM

There is a very fine Decca Oriinal Masters CD of string quartets 1-4 (he wrote 5) played by the Griller Quartet. They recorded them before Bloch wrote No 5 but there are other recordings of it. String Quartet No 1 is one of Bloch's finest utterances, lasting almost one hour. I strongly recommend this set.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bloch-String-Quartets-Griller-Quartet/dp/B000276K3M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1207350610&sr=1-1

Yes, I knew about that recording, but I was looking for one with all 5. How is the sound on this set?

Quote from: Daverz on April 04, 2008, 03:20:34 PM
The Pro Arte Quartet recorded them all for Laurel Records, and these are all currently in print.  I ordered them directly from Laurel Records.  Oddly, the recording of 5 seems to be in mono, at least to my ears.  I guess they recorded it that way live and decided to wax it as is.  I should add that otherwise the production quality is very high.

http://www.laurelrecord.com/

Thanks!
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Gurn Blanston on April 04, 2008, 03:57:29 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 04, 2008, 03:09:37 PM

There is a very fine Decca Oriinal Masters CD of string quartets 1-4 (he wrote 5) played by the Griller Quartet. They recorded them before Bloch wrote No 5 but there are other recordings of it. String Quartet No 1 is one of Bloch's finest utterances, lasting almost one hour. I strongly recommend this set.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bloch-String-Quartets-Griller-Quartet/dp/B000276K3M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1207350610&sr=1-1

This is a great disk, one of my favorites of 20th century music. In fact, IIRC, Bloch heard the Grillers perform #1 and composed the next 3 specifically for them. So I can justify it by saying that it is actually HIP... :D

8)

----------------
Listening to:
Thalberg - Razumovsky SO / Mogrelia  Nicolesi - Thalberg Op 39 Fantasia for Piano On Beethoven's 7th Symphony
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 04, 2008, 04:24:11 PM
Quote from: Corey on April 04, 2008, 03:30:07 PM
Yes, I knew about that recording, but I was looking for one with all 5. How is the sound on this set?

Thanks!

They are mono recordings from 1954 but very effectively remastered.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Don on April 04, 2008, 04:50:21 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 04, 2008, 04:24:11 PM
They are mono recordings from 1954 but very effectively remastered.

I love that set, and the sound's fine.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: The new erato on April 04, 2008, 11:58:01 PM
The Griller set is one of the absolute essential string quartet sets and Blochs 1st quartet is a staggering work.

I would like to direct you all to this blog entry (read a little down the page) with some interesting information on both Bloch and the Grillers:

http://www.overgrownpath.com/2006/11/schoenberg-on-toscanini.html (http://www.overgrownpath.com/2006/11/schoenberg-on-toscanini.html)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 05, 2008, 12:46:15 AM
Quote from: erato on April 04, 2008, 11:58:01 PM
The Griller set is one of the absolute essential string quartet sets and Blochs 1sr quartet is a staggering work.

I would like to direct you all to this blog entry (read a little down the page) with some interesting information on both Bloch and the Grillers:

http://www.overgrownpath.com/2006/11/schoenberg-on-toscanini.html (http://www.overgrownpath.com/2006/11/schoenberg-on-toscanini.html)

Thanks v much for this interesting link.  :)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Dundonnell on April 05, 2008, 03:36:56 PM
I have always loved Bloch's rich, dramatic and colourful music. Much in the same way as I love the music of Respighi in fact.

There are a number of different sides to Bloch-the romantic Swiss composer, influenced by turn of the century developments in Germany and France and indebted to Richard Strauss(the early Symphony in C sharp minor-available in a BIS recording), the Jewish composer who produced stirringly passionate compositions like Schelomo, the Israel Symphony, the Symphonic Poem The Voice in the Wilderness, the Violin Concerto and the Sacred Service, the ersatz Hollywood epic film composer, the adopted American(the extraordinary Rhapsody 'America') and the later neo-classical composer(the Sinfonia Breve, the Symphony in E flat major, the Concerto Symphonique for piano, the Concerto Grosso No.2).

All of his music however is never less than enjoyable on a very emotional level. He is, in my opinion, seldom dull. I don't find his idiom 'challenging' at all, I have to say.

I suppose that one of the difficulties is where to place Bloch geographically. Although he spent more than half of his life in his native Switzerland he did leave his homeland at the age of 37 and only returned for 8 years in the 1930s. He spent 33 years in the USA(including the last 21 years of his life), became an American citizen in 1924 and the distinguished Director of the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 06, 2008, 12:27:10 AM
Quote from: Dundonnell on April 05, 2008, 03:36:56 PM
I have always loved Bloch's rich, dramatic and colourful music. Much in the same way as I love the music of Respighi in fact.

There are a number of different sides to Bloch-the romantic Swiss composer, influenced by turn of the century developments in Germany and France and indebted to Richard Strauss(the early Symphony in C sharp minor-available in a BIS recording), the Jewish composer who produced stirringly passionate compositions like Schelomo, the Israel Symphony, the Symphonic Poem The Voice in the Wilderness, the Violin Concerto and the Sacred Service, the ersatz Hollywood epic film composer, the adopted American(the extraordinary Rhapsody 'America') and the later neo-classical composer(the Sinfonia Breve, the Symphony in E flat major, the Concerto Symphonique for piano, the Concerto Grosso No.2).

All of his music however is never less than enjoyable on a very emotional level. He is, in my opinion, seldom dull. I don't find his idiom 'challenging' at all, I have to say.

I suppose that one of the difficulties is where to place Bloch geographically. Although he spent more than half of his life in his native Switzerland he did leave his homeland at the age of 37 and only returned for 8 years in the 1930s. He spent 33 years in the USA(including the last 21 years of his life), became an American citizen in 1924 and the distinguished Director of the Cleveland Institute of Music.

You are right Colin.  He is difficult to place. I have just listened to a fine new recording of his epic, immediate post WW2, "Concerto Symphonique" with Jenny Lin as the soloist with the SWR Rundfunkorchester Kaiserlautern conducted by Jiri Starek (hanssler CD) it also has the fine Scherzo Fantasque and Concerto Grosso No 1. There is a great newish Naxos CD with the "Four Episodes", "Two Poems" etc with Dalia Atlas conducting (he ASV recording are excellent, including the best version of the "Israel Symphony". The early Symphony in C is a favourite of mine. The comparison with Respighi is spot on.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Dundonnell on April 06, 2008, 07:32:47 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 06, 2008, 12:27:10 AM
You are right Colin.  He is difficult to place. I have just listened to a fine new recording of his epic, immediate post WW2, "Concerto Symphonique" with Jenny Lin as the soloist with the SWR Rundfunkorchester Kaiserlautern conducted by Jiri Starek (hanssler CD) it also has the fine Scherzo Fantasque and Concerto Grosso No 1. There is a great newish Naxos CD with the "Four Episodes", "Two Poems" etc with Dalia Atlas conducting (he ASV recording are excellent, including the best version of the "Israel Symphony". The early Symphony in C is a favourite of mine. The comparison with Respighi is spot on.

Yes, I know the various ASV recordings conducted by Dalia Atlas and the recent Naxos disc to which your refer. She has done a great job for Bloch's music on CD!

Regarding the Concerto Symphonique-I bought the Chandos version, also coupled with the Scherzo Fantasque and the two early symphonic poems 'Hiver' and 'Printemps'. The piano works are played by Halida Dinova accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of the State Academic Cappella of St.Petersburg.
Do you know that version? Should I have waited?

Oh and..in retrospect I think that I should probably have placed the Concerto Symphonique more amongst Bloch's large romantic pieces rather than the neo-classical ones!
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Guido on April 06, 2008, 07:33:36 AM
His Solo cello Suites are one of the most overlooked corners of this repertoire. All three are good, but the first and third (I prefer the first) stand out especially. Extremely moving works composed in the final year of his life all for Zara Nelsova who sadly never recorded them (sadly because her Schelomo is the recording - Like DuPre's Elgar). Luckily there have been other cellists ho have recorded them, the finest being Emmanuel Bertrand - she is absolutely sublime and especially excels at solo repertoire - see her CD of Dutilleux, Ligeti and Crumb too - maybe the single finest CD I have of solo cello music (excepting Bach).
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Dundonnell on April 06, 2008, 07:44:19 AM
Quote from: Guido on April 06, 2008, 07:33:36 AM
His Solo cello Suites are one of the most overlooked corners of this repertoire. All three are good, but the first and third (I prefer the first) stand out especially. Extremely moving works composed in the final year of his life all for Zara Nelsova who sadly never recorded them (sadly because her Schelomo is the recording - Like DuPre's Elgar). Luckily there have been other cellists ho have recorded them, the finest being Emmanuel Bertrand - she is absolutely sublime and especially excels at solo repertoire - see her CD of Dutilleux, Ligeti and Crumb too - maybe the single finest CD I have of solo cello music (excepting Bach).

Do you know Zara Nelsova's version of the Barber Cello Concerto with the composer conducting the New Symphony Orchestra of London? it is coupled with the Symphony No.2 on an old LP in my collection.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 13, 2008, 10:10:18 AM
Quote from: Dundonnell on April 06, 2008, 07:44:19 AM
Do you know Zara Nelsova's version of the Barber Cello Concerto with the composer conducting the New Symphony Orchestra of London? it is coupled with the Symphony No.2 on an old LP in my collection.

Belated reply to this Colin!

I have an old Decca Eclipse LP with the Barber Cello Concerto (Nelsova) coupled with Rawsthorne's Second Piano Concerto! A bizarre coupling but it was a great favourite Decca Eclipse disc (probably the label I owe most to for my discovery of classical music as I could just about afford the occasional LP as a schoolboy).

Back to Bloch, I very strongly recommend the new CD below. A fantastic Bloch collections. Great performances from Jenny Lin and a terrific programme:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mdt.co.uk/public/pictures/products/thumbs/HAN093192.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/search/New%2520Releases/NR_January08/January08/&h=77&w=77&sz=10&hl=en&start=16&um=1&tbnid=RKv_loikH5UtDM:&tbnh=72&tbnw=72&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbloch%2Bconcerto%2Bsymphonique%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26ie%3DUTF-8
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Guido on September 23, 2008, 08:53:03 AM
Quote from: Dundonnell on April 06, 2008, 07:44:19 AM
Do you know Zara Nelsova's version of the Barber Cello Concerto with the composer conducting the New Symphony Orchestra of London? it is coupled with the Symphony No.2 on an old LP in my collection.

Yes I do know that recording and I don't like it one bit. Zara simplified several passages of this extraordinarily difficult work, obviously with Barber's permission, but they are some of my favourite ones. Also, as great as she was, Zara really doesn't sound in control here - the outer movements are taken too fast for her and the music IMO - Barber I think had become paranoid because Garbousova had often played it rather slowly and he always asked her for it to be faster. This is one of my favourite works of all time, so I am going to have strong opinions about it, but of the 12 versions I own I think Wendy Warner on Naxos is head and shoulders above the rest. She's championed the piece and probably played it more than anyone else - never before has it made so much sense, or been presented so strongly as the masterpiece it so obviously is - it's a fantastic achievement.

To get back on the topic of Bloch - Zara's recording of that piece with Bloch at the reigns is a desert island recording for me - she seems as strongly allied to this work as DuPre was with the Elgar. I'm not overstating this. As Bloch said: "Zara is my music!"
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Dundonnell on September 23, 2008, 08:57:55 AM
Good job it is gathering dust in my attic then :) :)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on September 23, 2008, 11:59:40 AM
Quote from: Guido on September 23, 2008, 08:53:03 AM
Yes I do know that recording and I don't like it one bit. Zara simplified several passages of this extraordinarily difficult work, obviously with Barber's permission, but they are some of my favourite ones. Also, as great as she was, Zara really doesn't sound in control here - the outer movements are taken too fast for her and the music IMO - Barber I think had become paranoid because Garbousova had often played it rather slowly and he always asked her for it to be faster. This is one of my favourite works of all time, so I am going to have strong opinions about it, but of the 12 versions I own I think Wendy Warner on Naxos is head and shoulders above the rest. She's championed the piece and probably played it more than anyone else - never before has it made so much sense, or been presented so strongly as the masterpiece it so obviously is - it's a fantastic achievement.

To get back on the topic of Bloch - Zara's recording of that piece with Bloch at the reigns is a desert island recording for me - she seems as strongly allied to this work as DuPre was with the Elgar. I'm not overstating this. As Bloch said: "Zara is my music!"

It (Nelsova) was my introduction to Barber's Cello Concerto on LP so I still have a soft spot for it. I must listen to the Naxos version which I own. I think that it is one of their best with the Medea Dance on the same CD.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Guido on September 23, 2008, 12:36:13 PM
Yes I agree - a great CD. I like most of them in that Naxos range of Barber's music - the exceptions are the violin concerto and piano concerto - No one is going to beat Takezawa in the former, and especially not John Browning in the latter. Also I much prefer John Browning's playing of the solo piano music to the Naxos guy. Naxos have my favourite recording of that wonderful piece - the Capricorn concerto and the equally wonderful A hand of Bridge (both on the same CD) and actually the finest Knoxville too.

Sorry that this is so off topic!
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: M forever on September 23, 2008, 11:33:13 PM
I played his "Avodath Hakodesh" (Sacred Service) once and found it a very interesting piece. There are surprisingly few recordings of it though.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Wanderer on September 24, 2008, 12:23:26 AM
Quote from: Dundonnell on April 05, 2008, 03:36:56 PM
I have always loved Bloch's rich, dramatic and colourful music. Much in the same way as I love the music of Respighi in fact.

There are a number of different sides to Bloch-the romantic Swiss composer, influenced by turn of the century developments in Germany and France and indebted to Richard Strauss(the early Symphony in C sharp minor-available in a BIS recording), the Jewish composer who produced stirringly passionate compositions like Schelomo, the Israel Symphony, the Symphonic Poem The Voice in the Wilderness, the Violin Concerto and the Sacred Service, the ersatz Hollywood epic film composer, the adopted American(the extraordinary Rhapsody 'America') and the later neo-classical composer(the Sinfonia Breve, the Symphony in E flat major, the Concerto Symphonique for piano, the Concerto Grosso No.2).

All of his music however is never less than enjoyable on a very emotional level. He is, in my opinion, seldom dull. I don't find his idiom 'challenging' at all, I have to say.

I'm only familiar with his violin sonatas but, even so, I have to agree with this assessment. The piano quintets will probably be my next Bloch purchase. Some more recording recommendations here would be quite helpful.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Dundonnell on September 24, 2008, 06:08:14 AM
Quote from: M forever on September 23, 2008, 11:33:13 PM
I played his "Avodath Hakodesh" (Sacred Service) once and found it a very interesting piece. There are surprisingly few recordings of it though.

It is indeed, as you say, an interesting and, I think, moving work! I have the Chandos version conducted by Geoffrey Simon(CHAN 10288 X) but I know that Bloch himself conducted a recorded version and Leonard Bernstein's version is highly acclaimed.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on September 24, 2008, 02:49:10 PM
Quote from: M forever on September 23, 2008, 11:33:13 PM
I played his "Avodath Hakodesh" (Sacred Service) once and found it a very interesting piece. There are surprisingly few recordings of it though.

I have four recordings:
Bloch
Bernstein
Simon
Jaffe

it is one of my favourite works. Very moving, not unlike a Hollywood biblical film score in places but also with echoes of Vaughan Williams's choral works.

Bloch and Simon's recordings are my favourites, Simon's recently reissued on Chandos.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Dundonnell on September 24, 2008, 02:57:36 PM
I seem to remember reading somewhere that one version of the 'Sacred Service'-either Simon's or Bernstein's-was cut?

Is that the case, Jeffrey? If so...which version is it? Do you recall?
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on September 24, 2008, 03:24:30 PM
Quote from: Dundonnell on September 24, 2008, 02:57:36 PM
I seem to remember reading somewhere that one version of the 'Sacred Service'-either Simon's or Bernstein's-was cut?

Is that the case, Jeffrey? If so...which version is it? Do you recall?

Not aware of this Colin.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Dundonnell on September 24, 2008, 03:36:50 PM
I apologise! I did not get this right. The Bernstein version(from 1958 on Sony) includes the spoken Kaddish at the conclusion of the work. The reviewer thought that this would be a "drawback" for repeated listening.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: M forever on September 24, 2008, 08:42:01 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on September 24, 2008, 02:49:10 PM
it is one of my favourite works. Very moving, not unlike a Hollywood biblical film score

Of course, since he created that "biblical sound" that many film composers in the 50s and 60s adapted. John Williams also lifted chunks from this for "Raiders of the Lost Ark". I remember when we rehearsed it for the first time, the section entitled "Taking the Scroll from the Ark" came up and we joked "from the Lost Ark, haha", and then when we played through the music, it wasn't "haha" anymore, it was "aha!".
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on September 25, 2008, 10:18:21 AM
Quote from: M forever on September 24, 2008, 08:42:01 PM
Of course, since he created that "biblical sound" that many film composers in the 50s and 60s adapted. John Williams also lifted chunks from this for "Raiders of the Lost Ark". I remember when we rehearsed it for the first time, the section entitled "Taking the Scroll from the Ark" came up and we joked "from the Lost Ark, haha", and then when we played through the music, it wasn't "haha" anymore, it was "aha!".

Very interesting. Who were the "we" who rehearsed it?
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: M forever on September 25, 2008, 07:37:49 PM
That was with the LaJolla Symphony, about two years ago. The performance was conducted by then music director Harvey Sollberger.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: The new erato on September 26, 2008, 12:16:00 AM
Quote from: M forever on September 25, 2008, 07:37:49 PM
That was with the LaJolla Symphony, about two years ago. The performance was conducted by then music director Harvey Sollberger.
You know the Lojolla sinfonietta by Martinu? It was the work that got me interested i Martinu once upon a time.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on September 26, 2008, 07:40:44 AM
Quote from: M forever on September 25, 2008, 07:37:49 PM
That was with the LaJolla Symphony, about two years ago. The performance was conducted by then music director Harvey Sollberger.

Thanks. What instrument do you play?
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: M forever on September 26, 2008, 08:49:07 AM
Bass.

Quote from: erato on September 26, 2008, 12:16:00 AM
You know the Lojolla sinfonietta by Martinu? It was the work that got me interested i Martinu once upon a time.

I never heard of that. Is there a connection to the city of La Jolla?
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: The new erato on September 26, 2008, 08:54:06 AM
Quote from: M forever on September 26, 2008, 08:49:07 AM

I never heard of that. Is there a connection to the city of La Jolla?

Commisioned by the Musical Arts Society, La Jolla in 1950, who also (allegedly) recorded it. This info is quoted from a Supraphon LP sleeve I have.

And the name is Sinfonietta La Jolla, got my fingers mixed up in my first post.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 05, 2009, 03:40:30 AM
I have been listening again to Bloch's epic 51 minute String Quartet No 1 - a truly great score in my opinion. I wonder if anyone else thinks as highly of it as I do.

ps this is the last of my old threads that I will be reviving today!
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: The new erato on April 05, 2009, 06:53:22 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 05, 2009, 03:40:30 AM
I have been listening again to Bloch's epic 51 minute String Quartet No 1 - a truly great score in my opinion. I wonder if anyone else thinks as highly of it as I do.

ps this is the last of my old threads that I will be reviving today!
I do. In a post on a Norwegian site I listed this among "10 great quartets you didn't know you needed", to quote my thread title. Definitely one of the supremely great quartets of the last century.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Guido on April 05, 2009, 08:59:42 AM
Quote from: erato on April 05, 2009, 06:53:22 AM
I do. In a post on a Norwegian site I listed this among "10 great quartets you didn't know you needed", to quote my thread title. Definitely one of the supremely great quartets of the last century.

I'd be very interested to hear the others too!
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: The new erato on April 05, 2009, 09:18:31 AM
Beethoven op 127
Bartok 5
Haydn op 76/2
Mendelssohn op 80.
Ernst Bloch 1
Schubert kvartett nr 15, D 887
Shostakovich nr 13 op 138.
Hindemith nr 4. 1921.
Hilding Rosenberg 4.
Britten nr 3 op 94.

Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Guido on April 05, 2009, 09:43:55 AM
Cheers! Lots of these are very mainstream, standard fair though (don't know the last two - will look them out).
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: The new erato on April 05, 2009, 09:52:21 AM
Quote from: Guido on April 05, 2009, 09:43:55 AM
Cheers! Lots of these are very mainstream, standard fair though (don't know the last two - will look them out).
Yes - my idea was to present 5 (it was a long post) reasonably wellknown and 5 less well known quartets.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Kullervo on April 05, 2009, 01:40:08 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 05, 2009, 03:40:30 AM
I have been listening again to Bloch's epic 51 minute String Quartet No 1 - a truly great score in my opinion. I wonder if anyone else thinks as highly of it as I do.

ps this is the last of my old threads that I will be reviving today!

Thanks for reminding me of this, it's been awhile since I've heard it. It really is a masterpiece!
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: snyprrr on April 12, 2009, 08:06:37 PM
How many great 50min quartets ARE there? 
This quartet (1916) made a great impression on me.  The Piano Qnt, the Violin Sonatas, Viola suite1919...everything he did 1916-24 all has that mystical searching quality.  Bloch truly had "phases."

I have been sloughing towards trading in the Portland for the Griller.  Both the Arabesque and Laurel recordings have reportedly not the best acoustics, terrible for such "big" music.

There is something very dour indeed about qrts 4-5...I listen to them a lot trying to figure out why I don't like them,...huh?  No.4 comes the closest to a Shosty-ish-ness for me....maybe good to play with some Rosenberg?  I think, IMHO haha, it's generally noted that Bloch's later, slightly harder/drier chamber style lacked the searing mysterical intensity of the 20s (think P Qnt No.2).

The solo violin and viola suites not so much, but looking forward to the cello suites.

To me, Bloch's late style epitomizes what was happening to composers of his generation after the war...a new, "international"(read-U.N.) sound was emerging (Villa-Lobos, Malipiero, Chavez)...their styles seemed to remain the "same", but hardened, overcast.  I sense a grey anonymity in the 50s creeping in...que "nationalism" thread...

Still, what are some "brothers" to Bloch's qrt No.1?  Magnard, Schmitt Qnt, Schoenberg Op7 ???  Ives No.2?  I mean, is the longest quartet up to that time?  or what?

The last 50min quartet I heard was Gorecki No3/KronoZZZzzzzzzzz....oh, excuse me, fell asleezzzz......

Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Dax on April 13, 2009, 01:59:24 AM
Quote from: snyprrr on April 12, 2009, 08:06:37 PM
How many great 50min quartets ARE there? 

Sorry to be off-topic but Van Dieren 1 and Skalkottas 4 would be candidates.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Lethevich on April 13, 2009, 02:15:39 AM
Quote from: Dax on April 13, 2009, 01:59:24 AM
Sorry to be off-topic but Van Dieren 1 and Skalkottas 4 would be candidates.

Robert Simpson also produced a couple of particularly outlandish ones.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: snyprrr on April 13, 2009, 03:52:14 PM
Is Van Dieren from before 1919?  I don't recall Skalkottas No4 being that long (on BIS???). 
And I guess that's the Simpson No9???-the palindromic/Haydn quartet...but I don't remember any of his others stretching THAT far.

Schoenberg No.1 Op7 comes galloping in around 45min.

and no, I'm not gonna slum for Feldman or LaMonte Young...

I was just really perked by how Bloch sustains the massive canvas.  Still, if you know any more ;D...not to be off topic or anything,heehee...
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Dax on April 14, 2009, 03:14:35 AM
Van Dieren 1 is from 1912.

Skalkottas 4 comes in at about 38 minutes in the BIS recording by the New Hellenic Quartet. This recording is a remarkable achievement: apart from anything else, the ambitious tempi do approach those asked for by the composer. This may not be an important approach for some, but with Skalkottas, it really does make a difference. Those familiar with Nikolaos Samaltanos' recording of the32 piano pieces would probably agree.

Anyway . . . back to Bloch.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: SonicMan46 on April 14, 2009, 07:23:21 AM
Well, I'm a fan of Bloch & Bruch, but have much more of the latter's music - my most recent purchases related to Bloch include:

Schelomo w/ Fournier on a great bargain disc, combined w/ Dvorak's Cello Concerto & Bruch's Kol Nidrei.

Piano Quintet & SQ on the Laurel label mentioned previously - own a couple more discs, but that's about all!

So, please keep the recommendations comin' - the SQ performances by the Griller's have been added to my 'wish list' - thanks.  :)

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31EEERF2GTL._SL500_AA180_.jpg)  (http://giradman.smugmug.com/photos/483916250_UMk8k-M.jpg)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: sul G on April 14, 2009, 03:27:14 PM
Quote from: snyprrr on April 12, 2009, 08:06:37 PM
Still, what are some "brothers" to Bloch's qrt No.1?  Magnard, Schmitt Qnt, Schoenberg Op7 ???  Ives No.2?  I mean, is the longest quartet up to that time?  or what?

The longest quartet I know before Feldman's mammoths is, surprisingly, perhaps, Dvorak, his first. It's over 72 minutes long on the recording I have.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Lethevich on April 14, 2009, 03:48:43 PM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lTAaPGYiL._SL500_AA280_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516yutHMY7L._SL500_AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000030T1/ref=dm_dp_cdp?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1239752260&sr=8-7)

This disc (different covers, but the same versions) contains a nice couple of works by Bloch in fine performances. The VC is atmospheric, and on first listen (thanks to the large opening movement) can feel a little gargantuan. It encourages comparison with the imagery of the 1950s Hollywood historical epics with its noticably "exotic" sound, but is a little more esoteric than the soundtracks by Rosza, etc, with an interesting inner logic rather than simply surface effect. Baal Shem is more managable and a nice little piece. The two bonus Serebrier pieces are in a more modern/gloomy idiom, but neither too stylistically extreme or inaccessable.

My one reservation is that I recall the dynamic range being quite large, which might make headphone listening difficult (which you use if I recall correctly?). One solution to this is to get the following disc instead, which I have not heard, but is quite highly rated:

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61i4azIA9dL._SL500_AA240_.jpg) (http://www.amazon.com/Ernest-Bloch-Violin-Concerto-H%C3%A9bra%C3%AFque/dp/B000VIFLZA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1239752260&sr=8-2)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: snyprrr on April 15, 2009, 11:34:12 PM
Dvorak, his first. It's over 72 minutes long on the recording I have.
[/quote]
I was wondering if "grandma Moses" was in there! ;D
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: The new erato on April 16, 2009, 01:25:32 AM
Bloch went through so many compositional phases and styles that investigating him widely is exciting - or full of disappointments - depending on where you come from.

I've had this disc recommended - comments anyone? :

(http://www.mdt.co.uk/public/pictures/products/standard/1C1149.jpg)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: snyprrr on April 16, 2009, 10:21:58 PM
I believe it sounds like early Roussel.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: schweitzeralan on April 22, 2009, 10:25:55 AM
Quote from: Guido on April 19, 2007, 08:00:46 AM
Those two pieces are both wonderful Harry. The Bloch is standard Cello repertoire and is probably the most stormily emotional and dramatic romantic work in the repertory. Think the drama of the opening of the Elgar concerto, but all the way through!

Its funny about Bloch, and his occasional passages of 'Englishness'. Probably to do with the modality, but he was held in high regard by a fair few early 20th century English composers.

The three cello suites from the final year of his life are often overlooked, but all are extremely beautiful and worthwhile. The first is my personal favourite, and I don;t understand why they haven't made it into the standard reperotire. His three pieces fro Jewish life definitely are though (Prayer, Supplication and Jewish Song).
Just wanted to reinforce several of the posters' complimentary remarks about Bloch.  He's one of my favorites.  His works are indeed powerful, quite modal, visionary if not prophetic, like the Old Testament.  I believe much of his orchestral "language" initially derived from the French school.  Of course he's gone his own way.  The "Concerto Symphonic" is a masterpiece.He's composed many fine, sutle, complex symphonic "imagery."
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 22, 2009, 12:14:23 PM
Quote from: schweitzeralan on April 22, 2009, 10:25:55 AM
Just wanted to reinforce several of the posters' complimentary remarks about Bloch.  He's one of my favorites.  His works are indeed powerful, quite modal, visionary if not prophetic, like the Old Testament.  I believe much of his orchestral "language" initially derived from the French school.  Of course he's gone his own way.  The "Concerto Symphonic" is a masterpiece.He's composed many fine, sutle, complex symphonic "imagery."

Yes, totally agree with you, especially about the 'Concerto Symphonique'. The String Quartet No 1 and Piano Quintet No 1 are both masterpieces IMHO.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: SonicMan46 on April 22, 2009, 03:40:47 PM
Quote from: SonicMan on April 14, 2009, 02:01:21 PM
Well, joined the Bloch thread today - only had a couple of CDs by this composer, and wanted to replace/expand my current collection, so ordered the ones below, most of which received excellent recommendations from the posters:

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61i4azIA9dL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)  (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41BGFQ740HL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41GFKmSkZqL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)  (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51J3TG9N1PL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)

Well, I posted the above back in the 'Purchases' thread not too long ago; all have arrived and have had first and second listens!  :D

I've enjoyed all of these discs (several will replace previous ones in my collection) - but I must say that the 'older ones' have been absolute 'knockouts'! - the Howard Hanson recordings on 'Mercury Living Presence' are just phenomenal; I own a number of these Mercury recordings - these were done on wide multi-tapes (1/2 inch 3-track tapes mentioned in the liner notes) which 'captured' the dynamic range of the recordings but could not be faithfully reproduced @ the time on a LP (recordings dates from 1959-60); plus, the price is a steal - can't see how one would be displeased, if desiring these works by Bloch.

At the moment, I'm listening to the Griller String Quartet recordings; 2-CD set from 1954 in mono sound, and am being absolutely 'blown away' w/ re-mastering of these performances; the discs include the first 4 SQs (the last had not been composed, nor did this group record it) - overall, this new acquisition of 4 recordings is quite a nice introduction to this composer!  ;D
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: schweitzeralan on April 24, 2009, 07:00:13 AM
Quote from: aquariuswb on April 19, 2007, 04:58:09 AM
Have you heard his three-movement piano work, Poems of the Sea?

Yes, I have the score and dabble with it. Included  in this sheet music is the "Sonata For Piano."  I love the second movement. I also have several recordings of the "Sonata." (Fingerhut on Chandos); Jensen on (Music & Arts); plus others.

Several posts discuss Bloch's many works, including the masterpiece "Concerto Symphonque." Opinions vary on the pianistic quality.  I tend to like the Micah Yul performance with the London Philharmonic on Laurel Record.   

If I am not mistaken Bloch was instrumental in starting up CIM, the Cleveland Institute of Music during the late 20's?  Or early 30's? I live close by but have never actually attend any concerts there. I know so little of his life.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 24, 2009, 07:38:05 AM
Here is a CD of piano music by Bloch which I really like. The CD is titled 'Visions and Prophecies' and it features, amongst much else, a piano version of the part of the orchestral piece (for Cello and orch.) 'Voice in the Wilderness'.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Guido on April 24, 2009, 06:00:40 PM
Does it work better in that incarnation? Though the piece contains lots of lovely ideas, the more 'bible epic' like moments really make me cringe and it just doesn't hang together as well as Schelomo. I've played sections of it with piano (and cello) and some it sounded much better like this, so I am intrigued by the solo piano version.

Quote from: SonicMan on April 14, 2009, 07:23:21 AM
Well, I'm a fan of Bloch & Bruch, but have much more of the latter's music - my most recent purchases related to Bloch include:

Schelomo w/ Fournier on a great bargain disc, combined w/ Dvorak's Cello Concerto & Bruch's Kol Nidrei.

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31EEERF2GTL._SL500_AA180_.jpg)

I remember getting this and hearing it for the first time aged 13 and being incredibly excited at the new soundworlds that I heard in the Bloch (and even the Bruch to my naive mind!). Fournier's account is really superb.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on June 13, 2009, 11:05:34 AM
I have been listening to Bloch's early Symphony in C Sharp Minor, written when he was in his early twenties. It  seems to shows the influence of Richard Strauss and also Mahler (whose music Bloch had apparently not heard at the time of composition). But it also foreshadows Bloch's later works. The last movement is especially powerful and moving and I like this work increasingly. There are recordings on BIS (top recommendation) and on Marco Polo (also good). It was performed a while back in London (Dalia Atlas) and I am annoyed to have missed it.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Dundonnell on June 15, 2009, 03:47:55 AM
(I had a busy midweek socializing with friends-including Renfield from GMG-and I find that the Composer Forum has been deluged with posts by Karl. It is going to take ages to catch up ;D)

Yes, I too like the early Symphony in C sharp minor-although it is the BIS version with the Malmo Symphony Orchestra under Lev Markiz that is in my collection(coupled with Schelomo played by Torleif Thedeen). The later Symphony in E flat(1954-55) is worth hearing too although it lacks the blazing romantic passion of early Bloch. Both the Symphony in E flat and the Israel Symphony(1912-16) were recorded in the excellent ASV Bloch series.

Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on June 15, 2009, 11:42:00 PM
Quote from: Dundonnell on June 15, 2009, 03:47:55 AM
(I have a busy midweek socializing with friends-including Renfield from GMG-and I find that the Composer Forum has been deluged with posts by Karl. It is going to take ages to catch up ;D)

Yes, I too like the early Symphony in C sharp minor-although it is the BIS version with the Malmo Symphony Orchestra under Lev Markiz that is in my collection(coupled with Schelomo played by Torleif Thedeen). The later Symphony in E flat(1954-55) is worth hearing too although it lacks the blazing romantic passion of early Bloch. Both the Symphony in E flat and the Israel Symphony(1912-16) were recorded in the excellent ASV Bloch series.



Yes, I wish that Dalia Atlas (who performed the work in London) would record the early Symphony in C sharp-minor as part of the ASV series. The BIS version is the best recording available at the moment.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Dundonnell on June 16, 2009, 03:39:16 AM
Has ASV not gone bust? :(
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: The new erato on June 16, 2009, 04:14:23 AM
Quote from: Dundonnell on June 16, 2009, 03:39:16 AM
Has ASV not gone bust? :(
Depends. But I think they have stopped making new records anyways (which may mean they exist).
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on June 16, 2009, 02:25:41 PM
Quote from: Dundonnell on June 16, 2009, 03:39:16 AM
Has ASV not gone bust? :(

Don't know - except I note that all their recordings I bought at full price are now available at Amazon for £5.00  >:(
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: schweitzeralan on September 10, 2009, 11:43:37 AM
Although there are many possible threads on recordings and performances, I nevertheless wanted to post a performance and recording of a long, revered staple of mine.  I was listenint to the Chandos CD involving several works of Ernest Bloch.  All are superbly realized: the masterpiece "Concerto Symphonic" (1948); "Scherzo fantasque;" "Hiver Printemps."  Alida Dinova is the pianist.  Capella of St. Petersberg is the orchestral interpretation.

I also have the Micah Yui performing the two pianistic works listed above.  The Chandos is somewhat better; although both are marvelous recordings of the Bloch work; enthusiasts may well be aware of both recordings.  Vast subject, recordings, to be sure; but I was smitten with the Chandos recording of three significant Bloch works. 
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on September 11, 2009, 08:10:34 AM
I greatly enjoy this CD:

Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: snyprrr on March 04, 2010, 09:22:11 AM
Bloch popped back up on the radar, so I have been going through my scrappy Bloch chamber works collection.

1) Violin Works:

There's a few "Complete Violin Works" sets out there. I have the oh so typically dry recordings from Arabesque (Weilerstein Duo). Personally, I find it difficult to listen to Bloch's violin music in this manner. I prefer to have Baal Shem over here, the Sonatas over there, and the rest, up in the air. Sometimes, I can't seem to see the visionary through the Hollywood, which is to say, I have to pick and choose which Bloch I listen to. But, don't get me wrong: the two Sonatas are monsters! Love em.

General point: Bloch's Complete Violin Works run to 2 cds, generally with one of the piano pieces to fill out the proceedings.

2) Viola Works:

The Complete Viola Works run to one (1) cd length, but, for me, I don't need Baal Shem in every conceivable combo. The unfinished Solo Viola Suite makes no greater impression on me than the 2 Solo Violin Suites. Really, the only viola piece I really want to hear is the 1919 Suite, which I have on a great Crystal cd (w/Clarke & Hindemith (the "1919" cd)). That piece really is a great mate to the Violin Sonata No.1.

3) Cello Works:

I think the one piece is called From Jewish Life, and I don't recall if it's for cello and piece, or what. The other piece is the Meditation Hebraique, which is going for about $50 on the self titled Koch cd (on Amazon). Then, there will be the obligatory Baal Shem transcription, and maybe a Suite Hebraique transcription (maybe also on the viola disc).

I get that out of the way to concentrate on the 3 Cello Suites, which I haven't yet heard, but which loom large as something solo cello enthusiats can't readily ignore. Some people swear by them, but I can't vouch for their profundity (and, they don't seem to have too much heft to them, time wise (yes, I know, but...)). Availability is also a factor here (or price). Anyone with an opinion?



4) ...the tiny piano trio pieces... yes, they're there, too,...



5) The 2 Piano Quintets:

There are sets by the Portland/Arabesque, ProArte/Laurel, Lane/Hyperion, Musiques Schweiz (?) Kocian/?, label, and Orkis/Koch.. Also, there is a recording of No.1 with the Pithipudas, and, maybe another one out there somewhere.

So, there is quite a field out there. I used to have the Pithipudas, and I believe I had the Koch/Orkis, but I don't know what happened to them. I just ordered the ProArte/Karp for $5, and yes, I am not expecting glorious sound.

An aside: Bloch's chamber music seems to get the worst recordings. Both the Arabesque and Laurel labels seem to think they are making a virtue out of claustrophobic recordings that lay bare everything (especially with the Portland/Arabesque). The Griller only recorded SQs 1-4, so, if I want No.5, I have only the two aforementioned choices. I have the Arabesque, which has really dry sound, and I can only imagine the Laurel being the same. Anyhow...

So, what say ye as to the Quintets? I assume you already love the music (and yes, I know No.2 is no great shakes).



6) SQs 1-5, plus miniatures:

I suppose the Griller/Decca will be the first choice for 1-4. I will shortly order it, to be sure. For No.5, as stated above, we have the Portland and the ProArte. I also have No.3 by the NewWorldQuartet on Vox (another mind numbingly dry recording).

Here's the Portland vs. ProArte run down:

Portland:
cd1: SQNo.1

cd2: SQs 2-3

cd3: SQs 4-5

cd4: 2 Piano Qnts

ProArte:

cd1: SQNo.1 + Piano Qnt No.2

cd2: SQNo.2 + 3 mianiatures (incl. Night)

cd3: SQs 3-4 + 2 miniatures

cd4: SQNo.5 + Piano Qnt No.1

cd5: PQ 1-2 + Solo Cello Suite No.1



ok,I get confused easily ::)!



Anyhow, I'm tired now from writing, haha, and need a nap. I'll be back later. Hopefully someone has an interest in the subject.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Guido on March 04, 2010, 12:10:25 PM
As I say above - I think the solo cello suites are just gold, but I know some people who don't like em. There's a fantastic recording by Emmanuelle Bertrand.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Scarpia on March 04, 2010, 02:40:27 PM
I have to reassess.  Most of the Bloch recordings I have are Hanson/Rochester Symphony, and after listening to them in Ives and other American conductors, I think it is a case of a third rate conductor in front of a fifth rate orchestra. 
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on March 05, 2010, 12:43:57 AM
A work I really like is the early Symphony in C. Very annoyed that I didn't realise it was performed in London (Dahlia Atlas) a while back.  :(
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Scarpia on May 31, 2010, 02:56:53 PM
This recording has turned me into a Bloch fan.

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/6108C1HlwdL._SL500_AA280_.jpg)

I also have recordings of the piano quintets, but I think I will be looking for recordings of the symphonies (E-flat and c# minor) next.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Daverz on May 31, 2010, 10:26:06 PM
Quote from: Guido on March 04, 2010, 12:10:25 PM
As I say above - I think the solo cello suites are just gold, but I know some people who don't like em. There's a fantastic recording by Emmanuelle Bertrand.

And yet those Bloch Concerti Grossi recordings are still among the best ever recorded.  I can recommend the Jenny Lin recordings for those who find the Mercury sound a little too in your face.

EDIT: I swear I've replied to Scarpia's post twice and it's show up like this as a reply to Guido. 
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Scarpia on May 31, 2010, 11:20:17 PM
Quote from: Daverz on May 31, 2010, 10:26:06 PM
And yet those Bloch Concerti Grossi recordings are still among the best ever recorded.  I can recommend the Jenny Lin recordings for those who find the Mercury sound a little too in your face.

You're referring to Hanson?  I love Mercury sound, don't like Hanson's job of it.  Dalia Atlas is much more to my liking, and I have the Jenny Lin on order for the Concerto Symphonique.

Trying to decide with symphony to try first, probably c# minor.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on June 02, 2010, 12:54:13 PM
Quote from: Scarpia on May 31, 2010, 11:20:17 PM
You're referring to Hanson?  I love Mercury sound, don't like Hanson's job of it.  Dalia Atlas is much more to my liking, and I have the Jenny Lin on order for the Concerto Symphonique.

Trying to decide with symphony to try first, probably c# minor.

Yes, I'd start with the C minor Symphony - it has a wonderful redemptive ending. The best version is on BIS. I was really sorry to miss a performance of it in London a while back under Dalia Atlas.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: listener on June 03, 2010, 12:38:37 AM
Bloch's complete works for violin and piano, filler is the 2 suites for solo violin  came on the low-price Arte Nova label (now OOP?).  I'll have to hear it again,   shelved but not remembered.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: The new erato on June 03, 2010, 02:16:54 AM
I've managed to pick up both volumes of Hyperions recordings of these at rock bottom prices on the "Please buy me" offer; and very fine works they are.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Scarpia on June 20, 2010, 07:55:41 PM
Quote from: Scarpia on May 31, 2010, 11:20:17 PM
You're referring to Hanson?  I love Mercury sound, don't like Hanson's job of it.  Dalia Atlas is much more to my liking, and I have the Jenny Lin on order for the Concerto Symphonique.

Trying to decide with symphony to try first, probably c# minor.

Have to reverse myself here.  Dalia Atlas's recording on my started to grate on me, partly because of crudely done engineering from ASV (sounds like a primitive reverb effect has been added to the recordings).  I've gone back to the old Hansen recording on Mercury and I find it much better in every respect. 
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Saul on June 21, 2010, 06:31:02 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 19, 2007, 07:28:10 AM
Bloch and Honegger are two of my favourite composers. "Liturgique Symphony" by Honegger is a great, powerfully visionary score.

Not so very common to choose these two composers as favs...
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on June 22, 2010, 05:34:17 AM
Quote from: Saul on June 21, 2010, 06:31:02 PM
Not so very common to choose these two composers as favs...

They're not the only ones - Vaughan Williams, Miaskovsky, Tubin, Holmboe, Diamond rank very high in my estimation too.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Mirror Image on June 28, 2010, 06:55:05 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on June 22, 2010, 05:34:17 AM
They're not the only ones - Vaughan Williams, Miaskovsky, Tubin, Holmboe, Diamond rank very high in my estimation too.

And what great composers they are. ;)

I have just ordered four recordings of Bloch's orchestral music. Now, I own the following Bloch recordings:

-Violin Concerto, Baal Shem, Suite Hebraique, Jose Serebrier, Royal Scottish National Orch., Naxos
-Four Episodes, Concertino, Suite Modale, Dalia Atlas, Slovak Radio Symphony, Atlas Camerata Orch., Naxos
-Three Jewish Poems, Last Poems, Evocations, James Sedares, New Zealand Symphony, Koch
-Sacred Service, Geoffrey Simon, London Symphony Orch., Chandos
-Israel Symphony, Suite for Viola and Orch., Dalia Atlas, Atlas Camerata Orch., ASV

This is a very small collection compared to some people on this thread, but I intend on exploring this composer's music, which means, of course, I will be getting more recordings after I digested my current collection.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on June 28, 2010, 08:06:34 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on June 28, 2010, 06:55:05 AM
And what great composers they are. ;)

I have just ordered four recordings of Bloch's orchestral music. Now, I own the following Bloch recordings:

-Violin Concerto, Baal Shem, Suite Hebraique, Jose Serebrier, Royal Scottish National Orch., Naxos
-Four Episodes, Concertino, Suite Modale, Dalia Atlas, Slovak Radio Symphony, Atlas Camerata Orch., Naxos
-Three Jewish Poems, Last Poems, Evocations, James Sedares, New Zealand Symphony, Koch
-Sacred Service, Geoffrey Simon, London Symphony Orch., Chandos
-Israel Symphony, Suite for Viola and Orch., Dalia Atlas, Atlas Camerata Orch., ASV

This is a very small collection compared to some people on this thread, but I intend on exploring this composer's music, which means, of course, I will be getting more recordings after I digested my current collection.

Try String Quartet No 1 too - like a symphony - terrific work.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 01, 2010, 07:42:51 PM
Just listened to this recording:

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QZooyU1GL._SL500_.jpg)

This was really an amazing recording. The music is by turns impressionistic, Stravinskian, and just so lyrically moving. I was going to listen to Geoffrey Simon/LSO's recording of "Sacred Service," but right now I'm listening to a disc of world premieres on Koch with James Sedares and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Listening to "Three Jewish Poems" right now and this is a sizzling performance! What a great work!
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on July 02, 2010, 12:21:41 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 01, 2010, 07:42:51 PM
Just listened to this recording:

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QZooyU1GL._SL500_.jpg)

This was really an amazing recording. The music is by turns impressionistic, Stravinskian, and just so lyrically moving. I was going to listen to Geoffrey Simon/LSO's recording of "Sacred Service," but right now I'm listening to a disc of world premieres on Koch with James Sedares and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Listening to "Three Jewish Poems" right now and this is a sizzling performance! What a great work!

Yes, the Seadres CD on Koch is one of my favourites too (I told you that we have similar tastes  :D).
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 02, 2010, 06:51:35 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on July 02, 2010, 12:21:41 AM
Yes, the Seadres CD on Koch is one of my favourites too (I told you that we have similar tastes  :D ).


We probably do have some similar tastes, but I'm heavily into Latin American classical music, so I'm not sure how much of this vast musical plain you've explored, but I listen to these composers more than any others right now, although Bloch and currently Piston are in heavy rotation as well.


By the way, just listened to Geoffrey Simon's "Sacred Service" recording on Chandos. OUTSTANDING!!!! I love it! I'm listening to Atlas's performance of "Israel Symphony" right now and so far it's really good.


And yes, the Sedares recording is amazing. I'm probably going to revisit it again tonight. This weekend is going to be Bloch Weekend.  :P


Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on July 04, 2010, 12:50:14 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 02, 2010, 06:51:35 PM

We probably do have some similar tastes, but I'm heavily into Latin American classical music, so I'm not sure how much of this vast musical plain you've explored, but I listen to these composers more than any others right now, although Bloch and currently Piston are in heavy rotation as well.


By the way, just listened to Geoffrey Simon's "Sacred Service" recording on Chandos. OUTSTANDING!!!! I love it! I'm listening to Atlas's performance of "Israel Symphony" right now and so far it's really good.


And yes, the Sedares recording is amazing. I'm probably going to revisit it again tonight. This weekend is going to be Bloch Weekend.  :P

Well, I like the music of Carlos Chavez very much, especially the Sinfonia de Antigona, which has a Havergal Brian type cragginess to it, which appeals to me. Geoffrey Simon's 'Sacred Service' is indeed the best and I have about 6 recordings of that work. It is usually compared adversely with Bernstein, but I prefer it. The other great performance of the Sacred Servis is by Bloch himself (Pearl and Jewish Music Archive). I had some email correspondence with Dalia Atlas (whom I don't know) about Bloch's Symphony in C., which is one of my favourite works by him. Her 'Israel Symphony' is indeed the best recorded performance, although I like the old Abravanel.

On the subject of Abravanel, this new release (of old material) is an excellent introduction to Bloch and includes Abravanel's deeply moving performance of the 'Sacred Service' which I didn't know he had ever recorded. I'm listening to Chavez Symphony 1 at the moment and a section toards the end reminded me very much of Bloch, which brings me back to where I started  ;D
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 04, 2010, 01:38:55 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on July 04, 2010, 12:50:14 AM
Well, I like the music of Carlos Chavez very much, especially the Sinfonia de Antigona, which has a Havergal Brian type cragginess to it, which appeals to me. Geoffrey Simon's 'Sacred Service' is indeed the best and I have about 6 recordings of that work. It is usually compared adversely with Bernstein, but I prefer it. The other great performance of the Sacred Servis is by Bloch himself (Pearl and Jewish Music Archive). I had some email correspondence with Dalia Atlas (whom I don't know) about Bloch's Symphony in C., which is one of my favourite works by him. Her 'Israel Symphony' is indeed the best recorded performance, although I like the old Abravanel.

On the subject of Abravanel, this new release (of old material) is an excellent introduction to Bloch and includes Abravanel's deeply moving performance of the 'Sacred Service' which I didn't know he had ever recorded. I'm listening to Chavez Symphony 1 at the moment and a section toards the end reminded me very much of Bloch, which brings me back to where I started  ;D

Chavez is quite good. The first work I heard by him was "Sinfonia India (Symphony No. 2)" with Eduardo Mata at the podium. Remarkable performance and this led me to explore more of his music. One thing that attracted me to "Sinfonia India" was it's use of shifting tempi. I also love the use of percussion in this piece. Very interesting and nothing cliche about it.

Getting back to Bloch, I ordered a recording with Sakari Oramo/Malmo Symphony Orch. on BIS performing "Violin Concerto," "Poems of the Sea," and "Suite Symphonique." This recording is out-of-print, but I look forward to hearing it. Right now, I'm just becoming more familiar with Bloch's music and I already own a very impressive collection, but in time I will expand it and start looking for comparitive recordings and so on.

Anyway, thanks for your recommendation. I have seen that 2-CD set on Amazon for a good price. I might pick it up at some point.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on July 04, 2010, 02:27:19 AM
The BIS CD is very atmospheric - I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 04, 2010, 05:42:52 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on July 04, 2010, 02:27:19 AM
The BIS CD is very atmospheric - I'm sure you will enjoy it.

I'm sure I will. I haven't been let down by a BIS recording yet, but then again, I always knew how to pick great recordings. :)
Title: Bloch/Griller Disappointment
Post by: snyprrr on November 17, 2010, 01:43:49 PM
Yes, I eagerly awaited the Griller's 2cd Decca ReMastering, and I couldn't wait. After all, I've been fantasizing about the sound, not to mention the performance (which I heard a clip of, and was summarily blown away).

Well, well, well,... I started with No.2, since that was the one I wasn't familiar with (I have Portland 4&5, Portland No.1, and VoxBox No.3). Well, the performance sure is something, but,... puh-leeze??,... are you guys really raving about the sound here? I gotta be honest, I haven't experienced such lack of listening pleasure in quite a while. There seems to be a treble fierceness that really, almost immediately, gave me ear fatigue,... especially when you consider some of the music's innate hysterics. Each jab was just so brutal to listen to loud. Ouch. Talk about crystal clear.

No one can back me up on this?

So, I'm comparing with the Portland, and the Vox. As far as the opening of No.3, wow, the Vox and Griller are coming from two totally different places. I never liked No.3, and now I see it's because that Vox group (New World Quartet) just wasn't digging in from the first trill. The Griller surely have the measure of this music.

Comparing with the Portland in No.4 isn't quite as bad, though the 3rd mvmt Presto shows up the Portland's lack of brutal bite. Ultimately, though, the listening pleasure of the Griller's recording makes me want to listen to the, admittedly, inferior Portland (though, they're really ok).

I'm listening to the Griller No.1 now, and, though the performance is really biting here in the Finale, the  fatigue of listening to such intense music in such an upfront, trebly recording, really is making me just want to scrap the whole Bloch/SQ thing. Seriously. Maybe the FineArts will record for Naxos?



As far as the music itself goes, I can sure seem to figure out where Shosty came from, haha. However, Bloch's "desert declamation/wisdom/suffering" music leaves me in a middle ground. The same Oriental spirit that I like in it is the same thing that I can sometimes get a little too much of. The hectoring tone, especially brought out in the Griller set, gets a bit much with me. It's like listening to a half hour of Shosty 8's most brutal moments. Thanks Be that Bloch wasn't a minimalist!

ok, enough,... just keep in mind, this comes from a fan, so, I'm sincerely confused here. :'(

Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Daverz on November 17, 2010, 02:12:00 PM
Decca sound of that period could be pretty fierce.

I haven't heard them, but least one reviewer I've read has found the Portland Quartet out of their depth.   I can highly recommend the Pro Arte Quartet's survey, though.  Easiest way to get them is directly from the Laurel Records site. (http://www.laurelrecord.com/)

EDIT: From the Fanfare review of the Griller set:

"the Portland Quartet's recordings on Arabesque are hopelessly inadequate and should be avoided"

"Although Laurel's releases of Quartets 1 and 2 boast superior sound quality, their recordings of Quartets 3 and 4—from the early digital era—do not sound all that great. In fact, they suffer from much the same shrillness and stridency that characterizes Decca's Griller recordings. Furthermore, while the Pro Arte performances may be more precise technically, the Griller performances often seem to "go for broke," at times sacrificing technical precision for sheer emotional intensity. Their performances generally seem to display a fuller, more whole-hearted understanding of the expressive content of these two later works."
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: snyprrr on November 17, 2010, 04:13:58 PM
Quote from: Daverz on November 17, 2010, 02:12:00 PM
Decca sound of that period could be pretty fierce.

I haven't heard them, but least one reviewer I've read has found the Portland Quartet out of their depth.   I can highly recommend the Pro Arte Quartet's survey, though.  Easiest way to get them is directly from the Laurel Records site. (http://www.laurelrecord.com/)

EDIT: From the Fanfare review of the Griller set:

"the Portland Quartet's recordings on Arabesque are hopelessly inadequate and should be avoided"

"Although Laurel's releases of Quartets 1 and 2 boast superior sound quality, their recordings of Quartets 3 and 4—from the early digital era—do not sound all that great. In fact, they suffer from much the same shrillness and stridency that characterizes Decca's Griller recordings. Furthermore, while the Pro Arte performances may be more precise technically, the Griller performances often seem to "go for broke," at times sacrificing technical precision for sheer emotional intensity. Their performances generally seem to display a fuller, more whole-hearted understanding of the expressive content of these two later works."

Well, that answered my next two questions, haha!

I'M WAITING FOR NAXOS! ;)

You need perfect sound/room + go-for-broke performance in this music particularly,... the whole enchilada! However, dem der Griller are fee-row-shus! I think they're saying to the world, "See? He's just as good as Bartok!" ;) 8)

Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: snyprrr on November 03, 2011, 08:13:57 AM
What Bloch orchestral piece most identifies with the mystical qualities of the VS 2 and P5Q 2?... the most awe inspiring Bloch?... not necessarily as much 'Hebrew' as 'transcendental' (certainly those chamber works above)?
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Mirror Image on November 03, 2011, 06:12:14 PM
Quote from: snyprrr on November 03, 2011, 08:13:57 AM
What Bloch orchestral piece most identifies with the mystical qualities of the VS 2 and P5Q 2?... the most awe inspiring Bloch?... not necessarily as much 'Hebrew' as 'transcendental' (certainly those chamber works above)?

I really like his works for violin and orchestra, but works like Sacred Service and Evocations really standout as well.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Scion7 on May 15, 2012, 05:14:46 AM
Pulled out the ol' Isaac Stern/Alex Zakin LP  of the first violin sonata.  A driving work!
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: snyprrr on May 15, 2012, 06:40:22 AM
Quote from: Scion7 on May 15, 2012, 05:14:46 AM
Pulled out the ol' Isaac Stern/Alex Zakin LP  of the first violin sonata.  A driving work!

Muscular, with fists full of notes, like boulders,... I just pulled out No.2, the mystical one,... I need to do a No.1 soon!
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 25, 2013, 08:19:56 PM
I really love Bloch's music. I've been revisiting some of it lately (two orchestral recordings on Capriccio with Steven Sloane conducting). I'm about to dig into the newer recording on Hyperion with Volkov and cellist Natalie Clein. But I think I'll save that recording for earlier in the weekend --- maybe a first-listen Monday kind of thing.

One work that I find immediately attractive is the Impressionistic Hiver-Printemps. This is such a gorgeous work. I have a few performances of it, but Sloane's on Capriccio is the finest I've heard.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 25, 2013, 08:36:52 PM
I'd really love CPO to do a whole orchestral series of Bloch. That would be awesome. Maybe get Alun Francis to conduct the series.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on September 09, 2013, 08:54:29 AM
This looks like an extremely interesting release. I especially like Bloch's early Symphony in C sharp minor, with its echoes of Respighi, Richard Strauss and Wagner, but with elements of the mature Bloch style breaking through, not least in the lowering conclusion, reminiscent (to me) of the ending of Harold Truscott's fine Symphony and also Maximilian Steinberg's Second Symphony. I was sorry to miss Dalia Atlas's performance of the Bloch Symphony in London a few years ago.
Great cover art too:
[asin]B00E3ISHMI[/asin]
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: kyjo on September 09, 2013, 11:28:33 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on September 09, 2013, 08:54:29 AM
This looks like an extremely interesting release. I especially like Bloch's early Symphony in C sharp minor, with its echoes of Respighi, Richard Strauss and Wagner, but with elements of the mature Bloch style breaking through, not least in the lowering conclusion, reminiscent (to me) of the ending of Harold Truscott's fine Symphony and also Maximilian Steinberg's Second Symphony. I was sorry to miss Dalia Atlas's performance of the Bloch Symphony in London a few years ago.
Great cover art too:
[asin]B00E3ISHMI[/asin]

I love his Symphony in C-sharp minor as well. It may be a bit derivative, but is it hugely enjoyable and sometimes powerful? Absolutely! I have this most tantalizing disc on pre-order already. :)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on September 09, 2013, 12:57:51 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 09, 2013, 11:28:33 AM
I love his Symphony in C-sharp minor as well. It may be a bit derivative, but is it hugely enjoyable and sometimes powerful? Absolutely! I have this most tantalizing disc on pre-order already. :)

Thought you might!  :)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: snyprrr on June 25, 2014, 02:20:42 PM
bump for Chavez
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on June 26, 2014, 07:37:08 AM
Quote from: snyprrr on June 25, 2014, 02:20:42 PM
bump for Chavez

'Chavez'?
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: snyprrr on June 26, 2014, 10:07:55 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on June 26, 2014, 07:37:08 AM
'Chavez'?

Chavez and Bloch "sound" similar to me, especially in the '50s- that "hardening of the language" that the mid-century generation went through post-WW2. It's that bluff cragginess we also find in... oh... what's that guy's name?... oh... hmm....
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on June 26, 2014, 01:26:22 PM
Quote from: snyprrr on June 26, 2014, 10:07:55 AM
Chavez and Bloch "sound" similar to me, especially in the '50s- that "hardening of the language" that the mid-century generation went through post-WW2. It's that bluff cragginess we also find in... oh... what's that guy's name?... oh... hmm....
Chavez No 1 reminds me of Brian.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959) ????????????????????????????
Post by: snyprrr on June 15, 2016, 07:39:22 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on June 26, 2014, 01:26:22 PM
Chavez No 1 reminds me of Brian.

I laughed. I've seen you write this comment in three different place now!! Have you ever tried GINKO?... I'm concerned about your memory- lol, sorry, but... it IS funny!! ;)


Anyhow, out of the "Craggists", Bloch has always been favourable... but, I have avoided loads of his music... lots of "phases"... where to go first?... mostly I know the SQs and the Quintets and such.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959) ????????????????????????????
Post by: vandermolen on June 15, 2016, 08:28:16 AM
Quote from: snyprrr on June 15, 2016, 07:39:22 AM
I laughed. I've seen you write this comment in three different place now!! Have you ever tried GINKO?... I'm concerned about your memory- lol, sorry, but... it IS funny!! ;)


Anyhow, out of the "Craggists", Bloch has always been favourable... but, I have avoided loads of his music... lots of "phases"... where to go first?... mostly I know the SQs and the Quintets and such.

Well, I like the SQs and Quintets. The epic SQ No.1 is especially good. I like the early craggy, Brian-like Symphony in C but also the Sacred Service and 'Voice in the Wilderness' for Cello and Orch. I find that I often re read comments that I have already posted. Either early or not-so-early onset Alzheimer's or possibly caught in a time warp. Ginko idea is good.  :)  :)
Here are some Bloch recommendations:
[asin]B00009V906[/asin]
[asin]B0036D7Y2U[/asin]
[asin]B00LFPNBWS[/asin]
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: cilgwyn on June 15, 2016, 09:39:10 AM
Or maybe Chavez reminds you of Brian?!! Do you mean the herb?! I remember my father telling me some years ago now,that they'd found a box of Gingko Biloba dumped in the street. He claimed that they'd used the contents of the box to no apparent benefit. He's still alive though at 84. My mother isn't. I would have thought she would have been the one who used it? She was always taking all these wierds things they tell you live to a great age. My father drank and sat in front of the tv!! She had the best memory though. If he did take them,maybe I should buy him some more?!!
And let me see? What intelligent observation about Bloch can I add to this thread,while I'm at it? Erm.....erm?!! Okay,I'll leave it at that! :(
Incidentally,why is it,the only thing I ever find dumped in a street are empty fast food containers,beer cans,fag butts,pools of vomit,dog t***s,chewing gum and drunks?!! I had to pay for my Gingko!! >:(
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: cilgwyn on June 15, 2016, 09:49:13 AM
Funnily enough,Bloch reminds me of Bloch!! 8)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on June 15, 2016, 09:51:14 AM
I've added some Bloch recommendations to my post above.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: snyprrr on June 15, 2016, 08:07:48 PM
Quote from: cilgwyn on June 15, 2016, 09:39:10 AM
Incidentally,why is it,the only thing I ever find dumped in a street are empty fast food containers,beer cans,fag butts,pools of vomit,dog t***s,chewing gum and drunks?!!

Wales, hmmm? :laugh:

Edinborough South?
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Rinaldo on June 16, 2016, 12:51:50 AM
Thanks for reminding me I need to find more time for Bloch. The PQs are brilliant.

[asin]B000WE5G6W[/asin]
A staple of my modest collection. Inspired by this thread, I just listened to the piano version of Poems of the Sea and really enjoyed it, exactly my cup of drama.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on June 16, 2016, 02:24:16 AM
Quote from: Rinaldo on June 16, 2016, 12:51:50 AM
Thanks for reminding me I need to find more time for Bloch. The PQs are brilliant.

[asin]B000WE5G6W[/asin]
A staple of my modest collection. Inspired by this thread, I just listened to the piano version of Poems of the Sea and really enjoyed it, exactly my cup of drama.
The Poems of the Sea are excellent in both their piano and orchestral versions. If you like the piano music I strongly recommend this one if you don't already know it. 'Visions and Prophesies' is a piano version of several movements from the orchestral 'Voice in the Wilderness' which I like very much for all its Hollywood biblical film score resonances - or maybe because of them.  :)
[asin]B0000640BJ[/asin]
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Spineur on June 16, 2016, 03:41:51 AM
Quote from: Rinaldo on June 16, 2016, 12:51:50 AM
Thanks for reminding me I need to find more time for Bloch. The PQs are brilliant.

[asin]B000WE5G6W[/asin]
A staple of my modest collection. Inspired by this thread, I just listened to the piano version of Poems of the Sea and really enjoyed it, exactly my cup of drama.
Kind of tempting.  The Bloch chamber music I know is quite moving.  I'll try to sample this one.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Rinaldo on June 16, 2016, 04:20:41 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on June 16, 2016, 02:24:16 AM
The Poems of the Sea are excellent in both their piano and orchestral versions. If you like the piano music I strongly recommend this one if you don't already know it. 'Visions and Prophesies' is a piano version of several movements from the orchestral 'Voice in the Wilderness' which I like very much for all its Hollywood biblical film score resonances - or maybe because of them.  :)
[asin]B0000640BJ[/asin]

Brilliant, after listening to the Poems of the Sea, I immediately thought about seeking some of Bloch's solo piano music, which I'm not familiar with. Pefectly timed tip, appreciated!

Quote from: Spineur on June 16, 2016, 03:41:51 AMKind of tempting.  The Bloch chamber music I know is quite moving.  I'll try to sample this one.

I was hooked since the first notes of the first PQ, one of the 'coolest' classical openings I know.

Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on June 16, 2016, 04:57:09 AM
Quote from: Rinaldo on June 16, 2016, 04:20:41 AM
Brilliant, after listening to the Poems of the Sea, I immediately thought about seeking some of Bloch's solo piano music, which I'm not familiar with. Pefectly timed tip, appreciated!

I was hooked since the first notes of the first PQ, one of the 'coolest' classical openings I know.
My pleasure. :) Let us know what you think if you get 'Visions and Prophecies'. I like that 'Old Testament prophet' aspect of Bloch's music and very much agree about the epic Piano Quintet 1. I don't listen to that much chamber music but Bloch, Shostakovich and Vaughan Williams (although he didn't write that much) are exceptions.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Spineur on June 16, 2016, 07:59:13 AM
Quote from: Rinaldo on June 16, 2016, 04:20:41 AM
I was hooked since the first notes of the first PQ, one of the 'coolest' classical openings I know.
Could you help me decide which version to get ?
There is this disc on amazon.fr, with good reviews.  Its not on Amazon.com, but its also on amazon.co.uk, with also a very warm review.
There is also a Karp-Pro Arte disc which seems to be OOP but maybe availiable as download.
Thanks for your help.


Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on June 16, 2016, 11:21:05 AM
Quote from: Spineur on June 16, 2016, 07:59:13 AM
Could you help me decide which version to get ?
There is this disc on amazon.fr, with good reviews.  Its not on Amazon.com, but its also on amazon.co.uk, with also a very warm review.
There is also a Karp-Pro Arte disc which seems to be OOP but maybe availiable as download.
Thanks for your help.
Not sure if this is addressed to me but the Hyperion CD is excellent but you wouldn't be disappointed with the other one either. I'd go for the cheapest/most available version.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Spineur on June 16, 2016, 10:42:12 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on June 16, 2016, 11:21:05 AM
Not sure if this is addressed to me but the Hyperion CD is excellent but you wouldn't be disappointed with the other one either. I'd go for the cheapest/most available version.
Thanks, you are always helpful.  Does anybody know his "MacBeth".  Seems like an interesting work.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on June 17, 2016, 01:21:44 AM
Quote from: Spineur on June 16, 2016, 10:42:12 PM
Thanks, you are always helpful.  Does anybody know his "MacBeth".  Seems like an interesting work.
No, I need to investigate this too. I've heard some orchestral music from it which I enjoyed but I tend to like Bloch's music generally.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: snyprrr on June 18, 2016, 04:03:31 PM
Quote from: Rinaldo on June 16, 2016, 04:20:41 AM
I was hooked since the first notes of the first PQ, one of the 'coolest' classical openings I know.
Quote from: Spineur on June 16, 2016, 07:59:13 AM
Could you help me decide which version to get ?
There is this disc on amazon.fr, with good reviews.  Its not on Amazon.com, but its also on amazon.co.uk, with also a very warm review.
There is also a Karp-Pro Arte disc which seems to be OOP but maybe availiable as download.
Thanks for your help.




I'm listening to the opening of ProArte/Karp No.1. My first impression is I should be able to get better sound somewhere... anywhere. It's obviously recorded in one of those hilarious air-tight studios- what were audio-engineers thinking back in the day? Otherwise, the playing seems fine; the mix isn't ideal, either.

And there's the Arabesque Cycle... I forget how they are... except there's 1/8 of a second between Tracks. I think they are somewhat up-front.


Oy- yea, I'm not particularly able to restrain criticism of the ProArte/Karp. I'm not sure the strings are properly handling all notes in an idiomatic manner. Bloch works when it's a bit smudgy.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Daverz on June 19, 2016, 12:23:13 PM
Quote from: Spineur on June 16, 2016, 03:41:51 AM
Kind of tempting.  The Bloch chamber music I know is quite moving.  I'll try to sample this one.

Do not hesitate to get the Goldner's disc of the Piano Quintets.  Sublime music making.

My copy of the Kocian disc had some kind of loud digital blip in the 2nd Quintet.  I don't know if they fixed this in subsequent pressings.
Title: Bloch's Loch
Post by: snyprrr on September 12, 2017, 07:34:21 AM
bump?
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: kyjo on September 12, 2017, 03:24:22 PM
I've expressed my admiration for Bloch's Piano Quintet no. 1 in other threads but I'll do so again here. It's a magnificent work that traverses a troubled landscape - sometimes angry, sometimes lyrical, sometimes mysterious - and comes to rest in an incredibly moving bendecitory ending. C major has rarely felt so cathartic.

I also love Bloch's Concerto Grosso no. 1, a really energetic, tuneful work. Bloch, like Stravinsky, was a composer who was able to compose equally well throughout all the different stylistic phases of his career.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: André on September 12, 2017, 03:55:26 PM
+ 2. Both are among my favourite Bloch works  :).

Also worth mentioning is his concerto symphonique for piano and orchestra. I have these 2 versions, both played by a young female asian pianist:

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41tWYe%2B0I7L.jpg)

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ajr4so6XL.jpg)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on September 12, 2017, 10:42:24 PM
+3  :)
I have those discs too as well as an older Vanguard recording.
Bloch's Piano quintets and SQ No.1 are very fine in my opinion.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on September 26, 2017, 12:55:00 AM
I've been greatly enjoying the epic Concerto Symphonique in the Micah Yui/David Amos/LSO version posted by Andre above. This was the first recording (for 27 years) since the old one on Vanguard which, I notice, has been reissued along with Abravanel's Utah version of the 'Israel Symphony' - two of Bloch's greatest works IMHO on one CD in historic recordings.
PS I just read that the sound quality is much better on the old Vanguards of Israel Symph/Concerto Symphonique so maybe better to stick with them!
The Laurel Record CD of Concerto Symphonique, however, is excellent in all respects with interesting couplings.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Daverz on September 26, 2017, 02:15:56 AM
I've never warmed to the Concerto Symphonique.

[...Warming to it.  You have to just go with the big, bold, Hollywood aspect of this score.]

Agree about the somewhat Romantic String Quartet No. 1.  It's nearly an hour long, but so full of diverting music that the time rushes by.  There was a nearly 30 year gap between String Quartet No. 1 and String Quartet No. 2, which is more the Bloch we know from the String Piano Quintets.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on September 26, 2017, 02:30:16 AM
Quote from: Daverz on September 26, 2017, 02:15:56 AM
I've never warmed to the Concerto Symphonique.

Agree about the somewhat Romantic String Quartet No. 1.  It's nearly an hour long, but so full of diverting music that the time rushes by.  There was a nearly 30 year gap between String Quartet No. 1 and String Quartet No. 2, which is more the Bloch we know from the String Quintets.

The CS has a kind of Hollyood epic film score aspect to it but I find the themes memorable and am always gripped by it. The Piano Quintet No.1 is another favourite.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on March 11, 2018, 12:59:15 AM
This would be a fine introduction to Bloch's orchestral music. Three fine works in excellent performances. Inexpensive on the Amazon UK and US site
[asin]B00004GLLI[/asin]
Navarra/Ancerl give a classic performance of 'Schelomo'.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: SymphonicAddict on September 29, 2018, 08:59:24 PM
(http://bis.se/shop/17115/art15/h3745/4853745-origpic-73292d.jpg)

Is there a more epic and stunning first symphony than this one? Walton and Langaard are other superb examples, but at the moment I'm enjoying the thoroughly glorious Bloch, what a boisterous tour de force this is! And magical moments aplenty, music highly suggestive, lush and sumptuous, featuring some of the most cataclysmic climaxes in the music literature. I love this, the terrific blend between Strauss, Mahler and Respighi (mostly) and the Bloch's emergent voice is just astounding, a desert-island work for sure. I tend to prefer this version to that of Naxos, though.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Daverz on September 29, 2018, 09:00:54 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on March 11, 2018, 12:59:15 AM
This would be a fine introduction to Bloch's orchestral music. Three fine works in excellent performances. Inexpensive on the Amazon UK and US site
[asin]B00004GLLI[/asin]
Navarra/Ancerl give a classic performance of 'Schelomo'.

Yes, great disc.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on September 30, 2018, 03:11:32 AM
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on September 29, 2018, 08:59:24 PM
(http://bis.se/shop/17115/art15/h3745/4853745-origpic-73292d.jpg)

Is there a more epic and stunning first symphony than this one? Walton and Langaard are other superb examples, but at the moment I'm enjoying the thoroughly glorious Bloch, what a boisterous tour de force this is! And magical moments aplenty, music highly suggestive, lush and sumptuous, featuring some of the most cataclysmic climaxes in the music literature. I love this, the terrific blend between Strauss, Mahler and Respighi (mostly) and the Bloch's emergent voice is just astounding, a desert-island work for sure. I tend to prefer this version to that of Naxos, though.

The redemptive ending of that symphony is one of my favourites - I find it very moving. I wonder if you know Harold Truscott's Symphony Cesar? It ends in a similar way, although perhaps with a greater level of 'glowering darkness' rather than redemption. If you don't know it you might like it.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: SymphonicAddict on September 30, 2018, 11:48:18 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on September 30, 2018, 03:11:32 AM
The redemptive ending of that symphony is one of my favourites - I find it very moving. I wonder if you know Harold Truscott's Symphony Cesar? It ends in a similar way, although perhaps with a greater level of 'glowering darkness' rather than redemption. If you don't know it you might like it.

Truscott's Symphony? Don't really, but I'll investigate it if you say that has a moving ending.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on September 30, 2018, 12:46:08 PM
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on September 30, 2018, 11:48:18 AM
Truscott's Symphony? Don't really, but I'll investigate it if you say that has a moving ending.
I enjoy the whole Symphony Cesar. In some ways I think that it is not dissimilar to the Bloch symphony.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on February 22, 2019, 08:11:50 AM
A wonderful new disc in terms of programme, performances and recording quality:
(//)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on February 15, 2020, 02:12:30 AM
Bumping up Bloch to recommend this very nice CD. I like all three works on this Capriccio CD. I've also just read right through this thread (mainly me repeating myself ad nauseam  ::)) but I noticed very little comment on the Violin Concerto, which is one of his best known (or least unknown) works. I rate it very highly as it has all the characteristic Bloch ingredients - powerful, moving in places, memorable, a bit Hollywood biblical epic like, visionary etc. any other views?
(//)

Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: André on February 15, 2020, 05:49:14 AM
From the left field (again) comes this terrific version of the violin concerto:

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51t3As49GRL.jpg)

It has been issued on Turnabout, Lys, Naxos, but also in the big box devoted to the violinist on Membran and the Warner box of Munch non-RCA recordings. A truly epochal interpretation.

Edit: I should have added that Bloch wrote the concerto for Szigeti.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on February 15, 2020, 10:20:26 AM
Quote from: André on February 15, 2020, 05:49:14 AM
From the left field (again) comes this terrific version of the violin concerto:

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51t3As49GRL.jpg)

It has been issued on Turnabout, Lys, Naxos, but also in the big box devoted to the violinist on Membran and the Warner box of Munch non-RCA recordings. A truly epochal interpretation.

Edit: I should have added that Bloch wrote the concerto for Szigeti.

Excellent! I'm sure that I have that CD (somewhere  ::)).
Thanks André.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Irons on February 16, 2020, 05:46:44 AM
I have not explored the Bloch discography as widely as Jeffrey, something I need to address. Two recordings hold hold a special place which I rate highly are the violin concerto played by Menuhin supported by Kletzki conducting the Philharmonia and Concerto Grosso 1&2 on Mercury with Howard Hanson with his Eastman-Rochester Symphony.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on February 16, 2020, 08:56:57 AM
Quote from: Irons on February 16, 2020, 05:46:44 AM
I have not explored the Bloch discography as widely as Jeffrey, something I need to address. Two recordings hold hold a special place which I rate highly are the violin concerto played by Menuhin supported by Kletzki conducting the Philharmonia and Concerto Grosso 1&2 on Mercury with Howard Hanson with his Eastman-Rochester Symphony.
Those are fine discs Lol. This was one of my earliest and happiest Bloch discoveries (taken out the record library on LP).
It's recently been reissued by Alto very cheaply I think:
(//)
If the image doesn't appear it's the 'Israel Symphony, and 'Schelomo' performed by Zara Nelsova and the Utah SO with that fine conductor Maurice Abravanel on the Vanguard label.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Daverz on February 16, 2020, 01:51:43 PM
Quote from: Irons on February 16, 2020, 05:46:44 AM
I have not explored the Bloch discography as widely as Jeffrey, something I need to address. Two recordings hold hold a special place which I rate highly are the violin concerto played by Menuhin supported by Kletzki conducting the Philharmonia and Concerto Grosso 1&2 on Mercury with Howard Hanson with his Eastman-Rochester Symphony.

I'll put in a vote for Elmar Oliveira.  The coupled Lees concerto is also fantastic.

[asin]B0015X6QYU[/asin]

Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on February 16, 2020, 09:51:05 PM
Quote from: Daverz on February 16, 2020, 01:51:43 PM
I'll put in a vote for Elmar Oliveira.  The coupled Lees concerto is also fantastic.

[asin]B0015X6QYU[/asin]
+1
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Irons on February 17, 2020, 12:28:21 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on February 16, 2020, 08:56:57 AM
Those are fine discs Lol. This was one of my earliest and happiest Bloch discoveries (taken out the record library on LP).
It's recently been reissued by Alto very cheaply I think:
(//)
If the image doesn't appear it's the 'Israel Symphony, and 'Schelomo' performed by Zara Nelsova and the Utah SO with that fine conductor Maurice Abravanel on the Vanguard label.

I do have that one, Jeffrey. A WRC LP issue, also on WRC and untypical of the label along with Schoenberg and Berg, Bloch's Four Episodes for Chamber Orchestra. I have no memory of the piece, do you know it? Checking out my shelves I have two recordings of violin sonatas. I listened to the Stern CBS issue recently and found the recording uncomfortably close and harsh.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on February 17, 2020, 01:42:14 PM
Quote from: Irons on February 17, 2020, 12:28:21 AM
I do have that one, Jeffrey. A WRC LP issue, also on WRC and untypical of the label along with Schoenberg and Berg, Bloch's Four Episodes for Chamber Orchestra. I have no memory of the piece, do you know it? Checking out my shelves I have two recordings of violin sonatas. I listened to the Stern CBS issue recently and found the recording uncomfortably close and harsh.
I have it on this release Lol. I recall enjoying it but can't remember too much about it now.
(//)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Irons on February 17, 2020, 11:20:57 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on February 17, 2020, 01:42:14 PM
I have it on this release Lol. I recall enjoying it but can't remember too much about it now.
(//)

One, or both of us had better play it then.  ;)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on February 18, 2020, 12:00:08 AM
Quote from: Irons on February 17, 2020, 11:20:57 PM
One, or both of us had better play it then.  ;)
I need to find it first  ::)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on February 20, 2020, 02:49:14 AM
From WAYLTN thread.
A marvellous recording and deeply felt performance of the VC:
(//)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Irons on February 20, 2020, 06:15:29 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on February 20, 2020, 02:49:14 AM
From WAYLTN thread.
A marvellous recording and deeply felt performance of the VC:
(//)

Sorry Jeffrey you are costing me a fortune. It has to stop! ;D
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on February 20, 2020, 06:52:44 AM
Quote from: Irons on February 20, 2020, 06:15:29 AM
Sorry Jeffrey you are costing me a fortune. It has to stop! ;D
Well, as you've just sold one LP for £7,000 or whatever it was I reckon that you can afford it Lol  8)
Seriously, I don't think that you'll regret it.

PS you need to have 'Trois Poemes Juifs' as well  ;D
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Irons on February 21, 2020, 12:34:44 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on February 20, 2020, 06:52:44 AM
Well, as you've just sold one LP for £7,000 or whatever it was I reckon that you can afford it Lol  8)
Seriously, I don't think that you'll regret it.

PS you need to have 'Trois Poemes Juifs' as well  ;D

Oh, already spent that on a cartridge.

I have taken note.

Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on February 21, 2020, 02:20:42 AM
Quote from: Irons on February 21, 2020, 12:34:44 AM
Oh, already spent that on a cartridge.

I have taken note.

You obviously have a different system to mine  8)
(//)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Irons on February 21, 2020, 07:20:29 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on February 21, 2020, 02:20:42 AM
You obviously have a different system to mine  8)
(//)

From acorns.......... ;D
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on February 22, 2020, 12:30:08 AM
Quote from: Irons on February 21, 2020, 07:20:29 AM
From acorns.......... ;D
Haha - not for a while though I fear. However I have now spotted my old Dual turntable above my daughter's wardrobe so I might retrieve it and get it put back into operation if possible.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 18, 2020, 09:44:27 PM
Have been enjoying this CD over the weekend. I'd never heard the 'Four Episodes' before and they are very engaging and memorable, especially the 'Chinese' section. The 'Two Poems' ('Hiver' and 'Printemps') are very poetic and atmospheric. 'Printemps' at times reminded me of the 'Israel Symphony' in its darkly moving way. The 'Concertino' is more neo-classical in style and enjoyable in a different way. It strikes me that if you want a change from Bloch's more familiar (or less unknown) works like 'Schelomo' this would be a good place to start:
(//)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Daverz on April 19, 2020, 06:56:52 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 18, 2020, 09:44:27 PM
Have been enjoying this CD over the weekend. I'd never heard the 'Four Episodes' before and they are very engaging and memorable, especially the 'Chinese' section. The 'Two Poems' ('Hiver' and 'Printemps') are very poetic and atmospheric. 'Printemps' at times reminded me of the 'Israel Symphony' in its darkly moving way. The 'Concertino' is more neo-classical in style and enjoyable in a different way. It strikes me that if you want a change from Bloch's more familiar (or less unknown) works like 'Schelomo' this would be a good place to start:
(//)

Yes, it's an excellent disc of less well-known Bloch, beautifully recorded.  The early works demonstrate how skilled a composer he was even in his youth.  His style changed a lot, but there's still a recognizable personality behind the music.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 19, 2020, 10:22:14 PM
Quote from: Daverz on April 19, 2020, 06:56:52 PM
Yes, it's an excellent disc of less well-known Bloch, beautifully recorded.  The early works demonstrate how skilled a composer he was even in his youth.  His style changed a lot, but there's still a recognizable personality behind the music.

Totally agree with you. I think that the CD is 'more than the sum of its parts'. It makes a very nice programme of Bloch's music and I have been playing it through from beginning to end with great pleasure.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Biffo on April 20, 2020, 02:43:04 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 18, 2020, 09:44:27 PM
Have been enjoying this CD over the weekend. I'd never heard the 'Four Episodes' before and they are very engaging and memorable, especially the 'Chinese' section. The 'Two Poems' ('Hiver' and 'Printemps') are very poetic and atmospheric. 'Printemps' at times reminded me of the 'Israel Symphony' in its darkly moving way. The 'Concertino' is more neo-classical in style and enjoyable in a different way. It strikes me that if you want a change from Bloch's more familiar (or less unknown) works like 'Schelomo' this would be a good place to start:
(//)

This looks like an interesting selection, I recognised the name Dalia Atlas but after checking found it was a different disc. I will have to see if I can download the Naxox album. Meanwhile, listening to Prelude and Two Psalms - intense stuff from Christiane Oelze (soprano) with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester conducted by Steven Sloane,
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: André on April 20, 2020, 04:45:18 AM
A few years back I had an intense Bloch period. I bought many downloads from Eclassical and burned them to disc. Unfortunately I stored away these 'fake cds' to make room for the real ones I kept buying and buying. I've pulled them out and will listen to them again. Bloch is one of the most individual voices in music.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 20, 2020, 05:29:57 AM
I've just realised that a very touching and poignant section towards the end of 'Printemps' reminded me of something; it is the closing section of the towering Symphony in C sharp minor.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Biffo on April 20, 2020, 05:39:34 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 20, 2020, 05:29:57 AM
I've just realised that a very touching and poignant section towards the end of 'Printemps' reminded me of something; it is the closing section of the towering Symphony in C sharp minor.

These 'reminders' can be unexpected - a couple of moments in the Psalms reminded me of Asie from Ravel's Sheherazade.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 20, 2020, 06:07:27 AM
Quote from: Biffo on April 20, 2020, 05:39:34 AM
These 'reminders' can be unexpected - a couple of moments in the Psalms reminded me of Asie from Ravel's Sheherazade.

Interesting. I should say that the Bloch CD is only 52 minutes in length but is a case of 'less is more' as it makes a very satisfying 'concert'. I haven't yet mentioned the rather charming 'Suite Modale' for flute and strings.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Biffo on April 20, 2020, 06:17:24 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 20, 2020, 06:07:27 AM
Interesting. I should say that the Bloch CD is only 52 minutes in length but is a case of 'less is more' as it makes a very satisfying 'concert'. I haven't yet mentioned the rather charming 'Suite Modale' for flute and strings.

Thanks, I have already bought the album as a lossless download from Presto - looking forward to hearing it.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 20, 2020, 06:27:58 AM
Quote from: Biffo on April 20, 2020, 06:17:24 AM
Thanks, I have already bought the album as a lossless download from Presto - looking forward to hearing it.
Looking forward to hearing your views on it.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: André on April 27, 2020, 01:00:16 PM
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on September 29, 2018, 08:59:24 PM
(http://bis.se/shop/17115/art15/h3745/4853745-origpic-73292d.jpg)

Is there a more epic and stunning first symphony than this one? Walton and Langaard are other superb examples, but at the moment I'm enjoying the thoroughly glorious Bloch, what a boisterous tour de force this is! And magical moments aplenty, music highly suggestive, lush and sumptuous, featuring some of the most cataclysmic climaxes in the music literature. I love this, the terrific blend between Strauss, Mahler and Respighi (mostly) and the Bloch's emergent voice is just astounding, a desert-island work for sure. I tend to prefer this version to that of Naxos, though.

Terrific indeed. I was surprised to hear a fugue in the last movement that sounds strikingly like that in the finale of Bruckner's 5th symphony - an abrupt theme sounded over wide intervals. And yet Bloch does not bring it back for a peroration !
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Symphonic Addict on April 27, 2020, 02:05:30 PM
Quote from: André on April 27, 2020, 01:00:16 PM
Terrific indeed. I was surprised to hear a fugue in the last movement that sounds strikingly like that in the finale of Bruckner's 5th symphony - an abrupt theme sounded over wide intervals. And yet Bloch does not bring it back for a peroration !

I did notice that the last movement begins with a fugue, but I couldn't relate it to anything.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Irons on April 28, 2020, 10:32:56 AM
Has there been discussion on this thread of the "Israel" Symphony?
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: André on April 28, 2020, 10:34:23 AM
Quote from: Irons on April 28, 2020, 10:32:56 AM
Has there been discussion on this thread of the "Israel" Symphony?

Maybe. Vandermolen and myself have listened to it last year.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Irons on April 28, 2020, 01:01:00 PM
Quote from: André on April 28, 2020, 10:34:23 AM
Maybe. Vandermolen and myself have listened to it last year.

Thanks. I have now located it.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 28, 2020, 01:49:25 PM
Quote from: Irons on April 28, 2020, 10:32:56 AM
Has there been discussion on this thread of the "Israel" Symphony?
I have these recordings all of which I enjoy:
::)
The Svetlanov was reissued more recently on Brilliant Classics and the Naxos recording was originally on ASV.

(//)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Irons on April 28, 2020, 11:51:50 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 28, 2020, 01:49:25 PM
I have these recordings all of which I enjoy:
::)
The Svetlanov was reissued more recently on Brilliant Classics and the Naxos recording was originally on ASV.

(//)

Memory like a sieve! Looking back on the thread I discovered I have already had a discussion, well a mention, with you, Jeffrey. :o I have the Abravanel recording which I played yesterday - big powerful work.

Still waiting on delivery of the Bloch Naxos CD. >:(
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 29, 2020, 12:15:09 AM
Quote from: Irons on April 28, 2020, 11:51:50 PM
Memory like a sieve! Looking back on the thread I discovered I have already had a discussion, well a mention, with you, Jeffrey. :o I have the Abravanel recording which I played yesterday - big powerful work.

Still waiting on delivery of the Bloch Naxos CD. >:(
I played the Bloch Naxos 'Four Episodes' CD again yesterday or the day before, still with much pleasure. I like every work on it and 'Printemps' echoes the 'Israel Symphony' in places. Hope it arrives soon Lol. That Abravanel recording is excellent. Like with Ansermet, I invariably think highly of his recordings.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: André on April 29, 2020, 04:45:36 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 29, 2020, 12:15:09 AM
I played the Bloch Naxos 'Four Episodes' CD again yesterday or the day before, still with much pleasure. I like every work on it and 'Printemps' echoes the 'Israel Symphony' in places. Hope it arrives soon Lol. That Abravanel recording is excellent. Like with Ansermet, I invariably think highly of his recordings.

Very true, and there might be good reason for that: the Abravanels moved to Lausanne in 1909, where they shared a house with the Ansermets. Young Maurice was 6 when he first met Ernest, then 26. He met Milhaud and Stravinsky who were friends with Ansermet. At age 16 Maurice was a musical critic for the local newspaper. I didn't find any direct info, but I suspect that  Ansermet was a musical mentor to Abravanel. Bloch was from Geneva, at the other end of the Lake. I don't know if Abravanel or Ansermet ever met him.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Irons on April 29, 2020, 07:24:15 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 29, 2020, 12:15:09 AM
I played the Bloch Naxos 'Four Episodes' CD again yesterday or the day before, still with much pleasure. I like every work on it and 'Printemps' echoes the 'Israel Symphony' in places. Hope it arrives soon Lol. That Abravanel recording is excellent. Like with Ansermet, I invariably think highly of his recordings.

So do I! Purchased from Switzerland to save a few bob which seemed a good idea at the time. I noticed you had a "Forgotten Records" CD. An interesting and unique operation, and like you Jeffrey I received a hand written note with a purchase. I sometimes trawl their catalogue, not because I intend to buy anything but to view all the rare and interesting recordings on offer. Love Ansermet, and in my view the CD set you posted recently of his mono recordings is him at the height of his powers. 
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Irons on April 29, 2020, 07:30:20 AM
Quote from: André on April 29, 2020, 04:45:36 AM
Very true, and there might be good reason for that: the Abravanels moved to Lausanne in 1909, where they shared a house with the Ansermets. Young Maurice was 6 when he first met Ernest, then 26. He met Milhaud and Stravinsky who were friends with Ansermet. At age 16 Maurice was a musical critic for the local newspaper. I didn't find any direct info, but I suspect that  Ansermet was a musical mentor to Abravanel. Bloch was from Geneva, at the other end of the Lake. I don't know if Abravanel or Ansermet ever met him.


Ansermet made a classic Frank Martin, also Swiss, recording for Decca but not aware of any Bloch? Wish he did.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: André on April 29, 2020, 08:19:28 AM
Quote from: Irons on April 29, 2020, 07:30:20 AM
Ansermet made a classic Frank Martin, also Swiss, recording for Decca but not aware of any Bloch? Wish he did.


Yes he did: Schelomo and Voice in the Wilderness. Hard to guess if he liked the music or was just hired as accompanist to the cellist Zara Nelsova. Probably both.

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71qt17ij6DL._AC_SL425_.jpg)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 29, 2020, 03:19:15 PM
Quote from: André on April 29, 2020, 04:45:36 AM
Very true, and there might be good reason for that: the Abravanels moved to Lausanne in 1909, where they shared a house with the Ansermets. Young Maurice was 6 when he first met Ernest, then 26. He met Milhaud and Stravinsky who were friends with Ansermet. At age 16 Maurice was a musical critic for the local newspaper. I didn't find any direct info, but I suspect that  Ansermet was a musical mentor to Abravanel. Bloch was from Geneva, at the other end of the Lake. I don't know if Abravanel or Ansermet ever met him.
How very interesting André. I had no idea of the connection. I wonder if you know this fine CD which I'm having a late night listen to:
(//)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 29, 2020, 03:21:13 PM
Quote from: André on April 29, 2020, 08:19:28 AM

Yes he did: Schelomo and Voice in the Wilderness. Hard to guess if he liked the music or was just hired as accompanist to the cellist Zara Nelsova. Probably both.

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71qt17ij6DL._AC_SL425_.jpg)

Coincidentally I ordered that CD today.  ::)  I was particularly interested in the two works by composers I'd never heard of.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: André on April 29, 2020, 03:23:16 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 29, 2020, 03:19:15 PM
How very interesting André. I had no idea of the connection. I wonder if you know this fine CD which I'm having a late night listen to:
(//)

No, I don't. Looks very tempting. I have only one of the works on it, so it would fill a gap actually. Thanks for the tip!
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 29, 2020, 03:23:49 PM
Quote from: Irons on April 29, 2020, 07:30:20 AM
Ansermet made a classic Frank Martin, also Swiss, recording for Decca but not aware of any Bloch? Wish he did.

There's a fine 'In Terra Pax' (my favourite work by Frank Martin) which I had in my youth coupled on a double LP set with Honegger's 'King David' and it was recently released in a fine CD set featuring Ansermet's Honegger recordings:
[/img]
(//)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Irons on April 30, 2020, 07:02:37 AM
Quote from: André on April 29, 2020, 08:19:28 AM

Yes he did: Schelomo and Voice in the Wilderness. Hard to guess if he liked the music or was just hired as accompanist to the cellist Zara Nelsova. Probably both.

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71qt17ij6DL._AC_SL425_.jpg)

Many thanks. I am a big fan of both Ansermet and Nelsova but had no idea......
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: André on April 30, 2020, 12:10:48 PM
Nelsova championed Schelomo throughout her career. She made three recordings of it. A very sensitive, even emotional artist, her playing commanded a very vocal character. She studied the work under Bloch, who conducted in her first recording of the work. Bloch also wrote the cello suites for her. With such credentials, one could say this is Bloch from the horse's mouth...
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on April 30, 2020, 12:13:46 PM
Quote from: André on April 30, 2020, 12:10:48 PM
Nelsova championed Schelomo throughout her career. She made three recordings of it. A very sensitive, even emotional artist, her playing commanded a very vocal character. She studied the work under Bloch, who conducted in her first recording of the work. Bloch also wrote the cello suites for her. With such credentials, one could say this is Bloch from the horse's mouth...
Indeed - her performance with Ansermet is very special as is 'Voice in the Wilderness'.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Irons on May 04, 2020, 11:22:41 PM
Enjoyed this Bloch CD very much, a good cross-section of the composer's style. Only based on a single hearing "Four Episodes" is the standout on the disc, a fascinating work and highly entertaining. I think it has been already mentioned that "Two Poems", an early work, has echoes of Debussy, a view with which I agree - I 'm glad Bloch was to find his own distinctive voice. Loved the original sound-world of flute and viola in Concertino, I cannot recall a another work with both instruments used in such a way. Both the Concertino and Suite Modale are neoclassical. I will investigate the other Bloch issues in the Naxos series.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on May 04, 2020, 11:51:04 PM
Quote from: Irons on May 04, 2020, 11:22:41 PM
Enjoyed this Bloch CD very much, a good cross-section of the composer's style. Only based on a single hearing "Four Episodes" is the standout on the disc, a fascinating work and highly entertaining. I think it has been already mentioned that "Two Poems", an early work, has echoes of Debussy, a view with which I agree - I 'm glad Bloch was to find his own distinctive voice. Loved the original sound-world of flute and viola in Concertino, I cannot recall a another work with both instruments used in such a way. Both the Concertino and Suite Modale are neoclassical. I will investigate the other Bloch issues in the Naxos series.
Ah, so it finally turned up! Glad you enjoyed in Lol. These are two of my favourites from the Naxos series along with the Israel Symphony conducted by Dalia Atlas:
[/img]
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Irons on May 05, 2020, 07:43:13 AM
I have the violin sonatas on vinyl, Jeffrey. I believe Rafael Druian was first violin of the Cleveland Orchestra at the time of Szell's tenure.

I also have Isaac Stern's recording of No.1 R/S Three Pictures of Chassidic Life. Avoid this! The sound is akin to when the captain draws his finger nails across the blackboard in "Jaws".

Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on May 05, 2020, 02:30:46 PM
Quote from: Irons on May 05, 2020, 07:43:13 AM
I have the violin sonatas on vinyl, Jeffrey. I believe Rafael Druian was first violin of the Cleveland Orchestra at the time of Szell's tenure.

I also have Isaac Stern's recording of No.1 R/S Three Pictures of Chassidic Life. Avoid this! The sound is akin to when the captain draws his finger nails across the blackboard in "Jaws".
I like your description of it Lol!
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Symphonic Addict on May 05, 2020, 04:40:48 PM
This CD is exceptionally good:

(https://cdn.naxosmusiclibrary.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/999096-2.jpg)

I was listening to Four Episodes the other day by following the comments here. Don't recall if I had heard it before. Anyway, this was something else. Bloch at his most colourful and lyric. I liked it a lot.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 05, 2020, 04:51:19 PM
I'm not a huge Bloch fan but a few of my favorite works of his are Evocations, Hiver-Printemps, Baal Shem, Poems of the Sea, Piano Quintet No. 1 and the Sacred Service.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on May 05, 2020, 11:02:44 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on May 05, 2020, 04:51:19 PM
I'm not a huge Bloch fan but a few of my favorite works of his are Evocations, Hiver-Printemps, Baal Shem, Poems of the Sea, Piano Quintet No. 1 and the Sacred Service.

Those are amongst my favourites too John. Do you know the epic First SQ? It really is quite something. My other favourite is the early Symphony in C and 'Voice in the Wilderness' which I tend to play more often than the more famous 'Schelomo', good as that is. Oh, and I mustn't forget the 'Israel Symphony' which alerted me to Bloch in the first place.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on May 05, 2020, 11:03:25 PM
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on May 05, 2020, 04:40:48 PM
This CD is exceptionally good:

(https://cdn.naxosmusiclibrary.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/999096-2.jpg)

I was listening to Four Episodes the other day by following the comments here. Don't recall if I had heard it before. Anyway, this was something else. Bloch at his most colourful and lyric. I liked it a lot.
Definitely on my wish list Cesar. Good to know that you think highly of it.
Glad you liked 'Four Episodes' as well.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Irons on May 05, 2020, 11:08:32 PM
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on May 05, 2020, 04:40:48 PM
This CD is exceptionally good:

(https://cdn.naxosmusiclibrary.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/999096-2.jpg)

I was listening to Four Episodes the other day by following the comments here. Don't recall if I had heard it before. Anyway, this was something else. Bloch at his most colourful and lyric. I liked it a lot.

An excellent lineup. Along with the violin concerto my favourite pieces by Bloch.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 06, 2020, 08:16:50 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on May 05, 2020, 11:02:44 PM
Those are amongst my favourites too John. Do you know the epic First SQ? It really is quite something. My other favourite is the early Symphony in C and 'Voice in the Wilderness' which I tend to play more often than the more famous 'Schelomo', good as that is. Oh, and I mustn't forget the 'Israel Symphony' which alerted me to Bloch in the first place.

Yes, I do like the Israel Symphony as well. I need to get more familiar with Bloch's oeuvre in general. I don't know any of his SQs. Voice in the Wilderness is an excellent work the best I can remember. I also liked the Violin Concerto, which I forgot to mention previously.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 06, 2020, 08:51:18 AM
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on May 05, 2020, 04:40:48 PM
This CD is exceptionally good:

(https://cdn.naxosmusiclibrary.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/999096-2.jpg)

I was listening to Four Episodes the other day by following the comments here. Don't recall if I had heard it before. Anyway, this was something else. Bloch at his most colourful and lyric. I liked it a lot.

I think I remember Four Episodes as it came from this recording which I had bought ages ago:

(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiNzk1Njc2NC4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE0MDE5ODI1NTd9)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 25, 2020, 01:02:55 PM
Listening to Bloch's outstanding Piano Quintets today and I'm rather looking forward to reacquainting myself with wonderful composer. It seems there are three stylistic strands within Bloch's music: the Jewish inspired works, the Impressionist and Neoclassicist. I suppose you could add in a fourth one, which would be what make up his symphonies and the Concerto symphonique and works of this nature. I'm not sure what you would call this style: Neo-Romanticism?
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on May 26, 2020, 06:53:32 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on May 25, 2020, 01:02:55 PM
Listening to Bloch's outstanding Piano Quintets today and I'm rather looking forward to reacquainting myself with wonderful composer. It seems there are three stylistic strands within Bloch's music: the Jewish inspired works, the Impressionist and Neoclassicist. I suppose you could add in a fourth one, which would be what make up his symphonies and the Concerto symphonique and works of this nature. I'm not sure what you would call this style: Neo-Romanticism?

I think that your definitions of Bloch's musical language makes good sense to me. I like 'Neo-Romanticism' for the epic 'Concerto Symphoniique'.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 26, 2020, 07:07:00 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on May 26, 2020, 06:53:32 PM
I think that your definitions of Bloch's musical language makes good sense to me. I like 'Neo-Romanticism' for the epic 'Concerto Symphoniique'.

Kudos, Jeffrey. That is a work I need to revisit (e. g. the Concerto symphonique). I have the Jenny Lin recording on Hänssler. I think there has been another performance of it on some more obscure label (maybe with David Amos on Laurel Records?), but now that I think about it, I think there's another performance of it on Chandos.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: classicalgeek on February 03, 2022, 08:17:01 AM
I just got done a "deep dive" into the music of Charles Ives, and what a rewarding experience it was! He went from someone whose music I was aware of, but not familiar with, to someone whose music and style I really appreciate and enjoy. I want to do a series of such explorations - and next up for me is Ernest Bloch. I know Schelomo, of course, but beyond that? I'm embarrassed to admit I've heard little else. :(

So, dear Blochians (Blochites? Blochheads? ;D), where do I start? I'd like to listen to some of his orchestral music, but anything is fair game.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Jo498 on February 03, 2022, 08:26:56 AM
Piano quintets, especially the first one. Easiest to find probably Goldner Q./Lane (Hyperion). Admittedly, I am not sure I have heard any of his orchestral music except "Schelomo".
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 03, 2022, 08:43:14 AM
The Sinfonia breve.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Mountain Goat on February 03, 2022, 09:28:32 AM
Quote from: classicalgeek on February 03, 2022, 08:17:01 AM
So, dear Blochians (Blochites? Blochheads? ;D), where do I start? I'd like to listen to some of his orchestral music, but anything is fair game.

Sadly I have not heard much by him so can't (yet) claim to be a "Blochhead" (something to remedy soon I think!), but I do have this CD of the 2 violin sonatas which I very much enjoy:

(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiNzkzNDk5Ni4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MzAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE1NjQ3NTkwMzV9)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 03, 2022, 09:29:55 AM
Quote from: Mountain Goat on February 03, 2022, 09:28:32 AM
Sadly I have not heard much by him so can't (yet) claim to be a "Blochhead"

Nicely done!
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Mountain Goat on February 03, 2022, 09:44:00 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on February 03, 2022, 09:29:55 AM
Nicely done!

If you're referring to my use of "Blochhead", I must in all fairness point out that it was classicalgeek who came up with it, much as I wish I could claim credit for it  :laugh: Let's hope it becomes recognised as the official term!
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: classicalgeek on February 03, 2022, 09:47:48 AM
Quote from: Jo498 on February 03, 2022, 08:26:56 AM
Piano quintets, especially the first one. Easiest to find probably Goldner Q./Lane (Hyperion). Admittedly, I am not sure I have heard any of his orchestral music except "Schelomo".

Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on February 03, 2022, 08:43:14 AM
The Sinfonia breve.

Quote from: Mountain Goat on February 03, 2022, 09:28:32 AM
Sadly I have not heard much by him so can't (yet) claim to be a "Blochhead" (something to remedy soon I think!), but I do have this CD of the 2 violin sonatas which I very much enjoy:

(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiNzkzNDk5Ni4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MzAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE1NjQ3NTkwMzV9)

Thank you for the suggestions, everyone! Listened already to the Sinfonia Breve, and what a work it is! Full of gnarly dissonance, but also lyrical and melodic. A fascinating piece. Next I'll try the First Piano Quintet - unfortunately Hyperion isn't on Spotify, but I did find a recording on the Musiques Suisses label. I'll try to find the violin sonatas on there as well.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: classicalgeek on February 03, 2022, 09:49:03 AM
Quote from: Mountain Goat on February 03, 2022, 09:44:00 AM
If you're referring to my use of "Blochhead", I must in all fairness point out that it was classicalgeek who came up with it, much as I wish I could claim credit for it  :laugh: Let's hope it becomes recognised as the official term!

Surely someone must have thought of it already? ;D

I see there are some listening suggestions from when this thread was last active... I'll look at those too.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Spotted Horses on February 03, 2022, 10:12:39 AM
I would say this is my favorite Bloch CD, with Jenny Lin

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71U+ncBZdbL._SL0500_.jpg)

It contains the Concerto Grosso No 1, perhaps Bloch's more famous piece. The Concerto Symphonique and Scherzo Fantasique are virtuoso pieces for piano and orchestra, and Jenny Lin is impressive.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: classicalgeek on February 03, 2022, 10:42:46 AM
Quote from: Spotted Horses on February 03, 2022, 10:12:39 AM
I would say this is my favorite Bloch CD, with Jenny Lin

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71U+ncBZdbL._SL0500_.jpg)

It contains the Concerto Grosso No 1, perhaps Bloch's more famous piece. The Concerto Symphonique and Scherzo Fantasique are virtuoso pieces for piano and orchestra, and Jenny Lin is impressive.

Yes, I saw that disc on Spotify! I've added it to my queue.

Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on February 03, 2022, 10:47:23 AM
Quote from: classicalgeek on February 03, 2022, 08:17:01 AM
I just got done a "deep dive" into the music of Charles Ives, and what a rewarding experience it was! He went from someone whose music I was aware of, but not familiar with, to someone whose music and style I really appreciate and enjoy. I want to do a series of such explorations - and next up for me is Ernest Bloch. I know Schelomo, of course, but beyond that? I'm embarrassed to admit I've heard little else. :(

So, dear Blochians (Blochites? Blochheads? ;D), where do I start? I'd like to listen to some of his orchestral music, but anything is fair game.
This would be a good starting place. The Sacred Service is like the choral music of Vaughan Williams - I find it very moving:
(//)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: classicalgeek on February 03, 2022, 01:05:38 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on February 03, 2022, 10:47:23 AM
This would be a good starting place. The Sacred Service is like the choral music of Vaughan Williams - I find it very moving:
(//)

Thanks, Jeffrey - I was aware of the Sacred Service but I don't know the piece. I don't see the EMI recording on Spotify, but I do see a Chandos recording conducted by Geoffrey Simon. I'll add it to my listening queue.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 03, 2022, 05:02:32 PM
Quote from: Mountain Goat on February 03, 2022, 09:44:00 AM
If you're referring to my use of "Blochhead", I must in all fairness point out that it was classicalgeek who came up with it, much as I wish I could claim credit for it  :laugh: Let's hope it becomes recognised as the official term!

Not sure why I missed it earlier. Consider the praise for "Blochhead" suitably trandferred to our classicalgeek's shoulders!
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: classicalgeek on February 03, 2022, 05:23:57 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on February 03, 2022, 10:47:23 AM
This would be a good starting place. The Sacred Service is like the choral music of Vaughan Williams - I find it very moving:
(//)

Just listened to the Sacred Service on the Chandos recording - just lovely! Vaughan Williams is a really apt comparison.

Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on February 03, 2022, 05:02:32 PM
Not sure why I missed it earlier. Consider the praise for "Blochhead" suitably trandferred to our classicalgeek's shoulders!

Well, thank you! ;D
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Symphonic Addict on February 03, 2022, 06:23:13 PM
For the string quartets 1-4, this set is mandatory:

(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiNzkzMDI0MC4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE0NjQ3OTQ3NDJ9)

It's in excellent mono. This has to be the most rigurous performance of the massive 1st SQ. I mean, the players' stamina must is tested from start to finish.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: kyjo on February 03, 2022, 06:26:28 PM
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on February 03, 2022, 06:23:13 PM
For the string quartets 1-4, this set is mandatory:

(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiNzkzMDI0MC4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE0NjQ3OTQ3NDJ9)

It's in excellent mono. This has to be the most rigurous performance of the massive 1st SQ. I mean, the players' stamina must is tested from start to finish.

I mean, it's the only one available....As fine as that Griller recording is, this quartet (and nos. 2-5!) is long overdue for a modern recording by an accomplished current group.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: kyjo on February 03, 2022, 06:37:26 PM
Quote from: classicalgeek on February 03, 2022, 08:17:01 AM
I just got done a "deep dive" into the music of Charles Ives, and what a rewarding experience it was! He went from someone whose music I was aware of, but not familiar with, to someone whose music and style I really appreciate and enjoy. I want to do a series of such explorations - and next up for me is Ernest Bloch. I know Schelomo, of course, but beyond that? I'm embarrassed to admit I've heard little else. :(

So, dear Blochians (Blochites? Blochheads? ;D), where do I start? I'd like to listen to some of his orchestral music, but anything is fair game.

These are my favorite non-Schelomo Bloch works:

Symphony in C-sharp minor: This magnificent late-romantic creation has absolutely nothing to envy from Mahler or Strauss, who it occasionally resembles. I mean, who could fail to be thrilled by that glorious apotheosis of an ending??

Concerto Grosso no. 1: A striking work for string orchestra and piano, filled with memorable themes and heartfelt lyricism.

Piano Quintet no. 1: One of the greatest piano quintets ever written, plain and simple. Bloch at his most searingly dramatic, darkest, and most intense. The redemptive ending is like reaching the light at the end of a long tunnel - very moving.

Evocations and Trois Poemes Juifs: I like to group these two tripartite symphonic suites together. They both show Bloch as a master of the orchestra, creating beguiling, mysterious, and even threatening "exotic" sonorites.

4 Episodes for Chamber Orchestra: Sheer inventiveness, wit, and color abound in these delicious miniatures.


I have several other favorites - Bloch was a composer of consistently high quality - but these are the ones that stand out to me at the moment and should give you a good idea of his range as a composer. Hope this was helpful! :)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Symphonic Addict on February 03, 2022, 06:41:50 PM
Quote from: kyjo on February 03, 2022, 06:26:28 PM
I mean, it's the only one available....As fine as that Griller recording is, this quartet (and nos. 2-5!) is long overdue for a modern recording by an accomplished current group.

There is this, but I prefer the sound and performance of the Decca disc. And yes, a modern recording of them all is more than urgent indeed.

(https://img.discogs.com/pd1kyCz2na4WmbKQ8EbhXnlKGXs=/fit-in/600x591/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-3559181-1335250263.jpeg.jpg)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: kyjo on February 03, 2022, 06:45:27 PM
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on February 03, 2022, 06:41:50 PM
There is this, but I prefer the sound and performance of the Decca disc. And yes, a modern recording of them all is more than urgent indeed.

(https://img.discogs.com/pd1kyCz2na4WmbKQ8EbhXnlKGXs=/fit-in/600x591/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-3559181-1335250263.jpeg.jpg)

Ah yes, you're right - but I recall not being too impressed by the Portland SQ's playing.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Symphonic Addict on February 03, 2022, 06:46:17 PM
Quote from: kyjo on February 03, 2022, 06:37:26 PM
These are my favorite non-Schelomo Bloch works:

Symphony in C-sharp minor: This magnificent late-romantic creation has absolutely nothing to envy from Mahler or Strauss, who it occasionally resembles. I mean, who could fail to be thrilled by that glorious apotheosis of an ending??

Concerto Grosso no. 1: A striking work for string orchestra and piano, filled with memorable themes and heartfelt lyricism.

Piano Quintet no. 1: One of the greatest piano quintets ever written, plain and simple. Bloch at his most searingly dramatic, darkest, and most intense. The redemptive ending is like reaching the light at the end of a long tunnel - very moving.

Evocations and Trois Poemes Juifs: I like to group these two tripartite symphonic suites together. They both show Bloch as a master of the orchestra, creating beguiling, mysterious, and even threatening "exotic" sonorites.

4 Episodes for Chamber Orchestra: Sheer inventiveness, wit, and color abound in these delicious miniatures.


I have several other favorites - Bloch was a composer of consistently high quality - but these are the ones that stand out to me at the moment and should give you a good idea of his range as a composer. Hope this was helpful! :)

+1

Moreover, the tone poems Hiver - Printemps, Helvetia and Voice in the Wilderness, whilst not as popular as other pieces, have charm and a very pictorial atmosphere.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: kyjo on February 03, 2022, 06:52:11 PM
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on February 03, 2022, 06:46:17 PM
+1

Moreover, the tone poems Hiver - Printemps, Helvetia and Voice in the Wilderness, whilst not as popular as other pieces, have charm and a very pictorial atmosphere.

I've yet to hear Helvetia or Voice in the Wilderness. The Printemps movements from Hiver - Printemps is sheer life-affirming beauty - it belongs with Sibelius' Spring Song and Foulds' April-England as one of the finest orchestral evocations of the season.

What are everyone's thoughts on Bloch's VC? I recall listening to the first movement and finding it rather long-winded and not up to par with Bloch's best works. But maybe I need to listen to it with fresh ears.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Daverz on February 03, 2022, 11:57:59 PM
Quote from: kyjo on February 03, 2022, 06:52:11 PM

What are everyone's thoughts on Bloch's VC? I recall listening to the first movement and finding it rather long-winded and not up to par with Bloch's best works. But maybe I need to listen to it with fresh ears.

I used to listen to it more.  It's not my favorite Bloch or a favorite violin concerto, but still worthwhile, I think.

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51BS4U02E9L.jpg)



Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: André on February 04, 2022, 04:19:14 AM
Quote from: kyjo on February 03, 2022, 06:52:11 PM
I've yet to hear Helvetia or Voice in the Wilderness. The Printemps movements from Hiver - Printemps is sheer life-affirming beauty - it belongs with Sibelius' Spring Song and Foulds' April-England as one of the finest orchestral evocations of the season.

What are everyone's thoughts on Bloch's VC? I recall listening to the first movement and finding it rather long-winded and not up to par with Bloch's best works. But maybe I need to listen to it with fresh ears.
:)

One of my favourite Bloch works. Along with the first 4 of your list, Kyle !
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: classicalgeek on February 04, 2022, 07:50:27 AM
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on February 03, 2022, 06:23:13 PM
For the string quartets 1-4, this set is mandatory:

(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiNzkzMDI0MC4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE0NjQ3OTQ3NDJ9)

It's in excellent mono. This has to be the most rigorous performance of the massive 1st SQ. I mean, the players' stamina must be tested from start to finish.

I've heard of the Griller Quartet's recording of these works. I'll definitely check it out!

Quote from: kyjo on February 03, 2022, 06:37:26 PM
These are my favorite non-Schelomo Bloch works:

Symphony in C-sharp minor: This magnificent late-romantic creation has absolutely nothing to envy from Mahler or Strauss, who it occasionally resembles. I mean, who could fail to be thrilled by that glorious apotheosis of an ending??

Concerto Grosso no. 1: A striking work for string orchestra and piano, filled with memorable themes and heartfelt lyricism.

Piano Quintet no. 1: One of the greatest piano quintets ever written, plain and simple. Bloch at his most searingly dramatic, darkest, and most intense. The redemptive ending is like reaching the light at the end of a long tunnel - very moving.

Evocations and Trois Poemes Juifs: I like to group these two tripartite symphonic suites together. They both show Bloch as a master of the orchestra, creating beguiling, mysterious, and even threatening "exotic" sonorites.

4 Episodes for Chamber Orchestra: Sheer inventiveness, wit, and color abound in these delicious miniatures.


I have several other favorites - Bloch was a composer of consistently high quality - but these are the ones that stand out to me at the moment and should give you a good idea of his range as a composer. Hope this was helpful! :)

I heard the Concerto Grosso no. 1 yesterday and quite enjoyed it. I get the sense Bloch was a master orchestrator in the orchestral works I heard (Sinfonia Breve, the Sacred Service), so I'm eager to check out more!

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on February 03, 2022, 06:46:17 PM
+1

Moreover, the tone poems Hiver - Printemps, Helvetia and Voice in the Wilderness, whilst not as popular as other pieces, have charm and a very pictorial atmosphere.

Ooh, more orchestral stuff! Hopefully I'll be able to find them on Spotify.

Quote from: Daverz on February 03, 2022, 11:57:59 PM
I used to listen to it more.  It's not my favorite Bloch or a favorite violin concerto, but still worthwhile, I think.

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51BS4U02E9L.jpg)

Quote from: André on February 04, 2022, 04:19:14 AM
:)

One of my favourite Bloch works. Along with the first 4 of your list, Kyle !

I'll put the Violin Concerto on my listening backlog as well!

Thank you so much for all the suggestions, everyone - looks like I have at least a couple of days of listening ahead of me. Looking forward to a "Bloch Party"! :D
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on February 04, 2022, 11:59:47 PM
Quote from: kyjo on February 03, 2022, 06:37:26 PM
These are my favorite non-Schelomo Bloch works:

Symphony in C-sharp minor: This magnificent late-romantic creation has absolutely nothing to envy from Mahler or Strauss, who it occasionally resembles. I mean, who could fail to be thrilled by that glorious apotheosis of an ending??

Concerto Grosso no. 1: A striking work for string orchestra and piano, filled with memorable themes and heartfelt lyricism.

Piano Quintet no. 1: One of the greatest piano quintets ever written, plain and simple. Bloch at his most searingly dramatic, darkest, and most intense. The redemptive ending is like reaching the light at the end of a long tunnel - very moving.

Evocations and Trois Poemes Juifs: I like to group these two tripartite symphonic suites together. They both show Bloch as a master of the orchestra, creating beguiling, mysterious, and even threatening "exotic" sonorites.

4 Episodes for Chamber Orchestra: Sheer inventiveness, wit, and color abound in these delicious miniatures.


I have several other favorites - Bloch was a composer of consistently high quality - but these are the ones that stand out to me at the moment and should give you a good idea of his range as a composer. Hope this was helpful! :)
+2
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on February 05, 2022, 12:01:46 AM
Quote from: classicalgeek on February 03, 2022, 05:23:57 PM
Just listened to the Sacred Service on the Chandos recording - just lovely! Vaughan Williams is a really apt comparison.

Well, thank you! ;D
Glad you enjoyed it! Geoffrey Simon's underrated performance is my favourite.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on February 22, 2023, 12:13:10 AM
Some likable recordings I'd like to mention.


(https://is3-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music6/v4/3b/20/12/3b20124d-8ef2-da20-3a3e-36105e9c8026/cover.jpg/632x632bb.webp)


(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Ey1d01WbL._AC_.jpg)


(https://is2-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music30/v4/aa/74/d5/aa74d53d-9e09-28bc-4c65-4e045451547b/cover.jpg/632x632bb.webp)


(https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music6/v4/49/9d/5f/499d5f8d-0838-1cfb-5181-cb6d3e8339e9/889845866275.jpg/632x632bb.webp)


(https://is3-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music/44/dc/6a/mzi.bdyvtpvr.jpg/632x632bf.webp)


Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on March 20, 2023, 11:51:03 AM
Recently I've been listening to these recordings of Suite for Viola and Orchestra. I like the orientalism feel in the music.


(https://is5-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music113/v4/cc/2a/6f/cc2a6f96-cb58-cb9a-f3ff-89fb2f71e610/cover.jpg/632x632bb.webp)

(https://is2-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music112/v4/d0/77/05/d07705ca-c5f1-ee48-ac79-4a351d609e90/3149020946541_cover.jpg/632x632bb.webp)



Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: W.A. Mozart on May 25, 2023, 08:01:46 AM
What do you think about the Concerto Grosso No. 1?

Irit Rob, piano and the Israel Chamber Orchestra conducted by Yoav Talmi

Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Jo498 on May 25, 2023, 11:38:37 AM
a bit like a 20th century version of "Holberg suite". Quite pleasant but not really the most interesting one could do with neo-baroque.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on May 25, 2023, 03:39:59 PM
Quote from: Jo498 on May 25, 2023, 11:38:37 AMa bit like a 20th century version of "Holberg suite". Quite pleasant but not really the most interesting one could do with neo-baroque.
I agree. I like most of Bloch's works, especially:

SQ No.1 - a true epic - I like the Portland version more than some others here

VC

Piano Quintet No.1

Voice in the Wilderness

Sacred Service (espec. Geoffrey Simon version)

Suite for Viola and Orch,

Trois Poems Juifs

Evocations

Symphony in C sharp minor (an epic)

Israel Symphony (Abravanel's famous old recording will be reissued on Alto soon)

Concerto Symphonique for Piano and Orch.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: kyjo on May 25, 2023, 07:43:28 PM
Quote from: W.A. Mozart on May 25, 2023, 08:01:46 AMWhat do you think about the Concerto Grosso No. 1?

Irit Rob, piano and the Israel Chamber Orchestra conducted by Yoav Talmi


It's a wonderful work with an immediately memorable declaratory opening, a solemn Dirge, a beautifully atmospheric Pastorale and Rustic Dances, and a vivacious final fugue. Now, my question is: what do you think about it? ;)
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on May 25, 2023, 10:32:49 PM
New release:
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Jo498 on May 25, 2023, 10:52:54 PM
I don't know that much by Bloch, the piece I remember and like best is the first piano quintet, but I also liked all of the quartets in the Griller set (5th is missing, I have not heard that one). Not yet heard the violin concerto.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: relm1 on May 26, 2023, 06:02:04 AM
I also like his Concerto Symphonique.  It reminds me of Bernard Herrmann and Respighi.

Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: kyjo on May 27, 2023, 08:25:36 AM
Quote from: Jo498 on May 25, 2023, 10:52:54 PMI don't know that much by Bloch, the piece I remember and like best is the first piano quintet, but I also liked all of the quartets in the Griller set (5th is missing, I have not heard that one). Not yet heard the violin concerto.

The 1st Piano Quintet is a scorching masterpiece, my overall favorite work by Bloch as well as one of the greatest chamber works of the 20th century IMO. I'm not as keen on the Violin Concerto as some - it strikes me as somewhat generic "Hollywood-biblical-modal" (yes, I know Bloch came before the film scores ;)) and without the keen dramatic edge of Bloch's finest works. Also, it doesn't help that the main theme of one of the movements is a bit too close to comfort to that of the Dvorak Cello Concerto's 1st movement! But I'm being overly picky...
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: kyjo on May 27, 2023, 08:49:19 AM
Was recently listening to this fabulous disc:

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71+alrzGXBL._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg)

Evocations (1937) and the Trois Poèmes Juifs (1911-13) are two orchestral triptychs which show Bloch at the height of his powers, with masterful command over a large orchestra and in creating a variety of colorful and gripping atmospheres. Of particular note is the brilliantly dramatic second movement of Evocations, with its climactic buildups and generous swats on the tam-tam/gong  (can't remember which) creating a legendary, warlike atmosphere. In fact, the whole work would make excellent background music to a documentary about ancient imperial Japan or China, given its rather special "Asian" flavoring!

I can't profess quite the same level of admiration for the late, rather acerbic Symphony in E-flat (1955), but it's still a cogently written work that shows Bloch constantly experimenting with new styles near the end of his life. Anyone familiar with his Sinfonia Breve which dates from around the same time? As far as I know, it's only been recorded once, by Doráti on Mercury Living Presence.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: W.A. Mozart on May 28, 2023, 07:33:54 AM
Quote from: kyjo on May 25, 2023, 07:43:28 PMNow, my question is: what do you think about it? ;)

I think that it's a good piece. Not the best one, but still good.

Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Symphonic Addict on May 28, 2023, 10:08:13 AM
Quote from: kyjo on May 27, 2023, 08:49:19 AMWas recently listening to this fabulous disc:

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71+alrzGXBL._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg)

Evocations (1937) and the Trois Poèmes Juifs (1911-13) are two orchestral triptychs which show Bloch at the height of his powers, with masterful command over a large orchestra and in creating a variety of colorful and gripping atmospheres. Of particular note is the brilliantly dramatic second movement of Evocations, with its climactic buildups and generous swats on the tam-tam/gong  (can't remember which) creating a legendary, warlike atmosphere. In fact, the whole work would make excellent background music to a documentary about ancient imperial Japan or China, given its rather special "Asian" flavoring!

I can't profess quite the same level of admiration for the late, rather acerbic Symphony in E-flat (1955), but it's still a cogently written work that shows Bloch constantly experimenting with new styles near the end of his life. Anyone familiar with his Sinfonia Breve which dates from around the same time? As far as I know, it's only been recorded once, by Doráti on Mercury Living Presence.

Indeed, a most terrific CD! Unlike you, I find the Symphony in E-flat an intriguing and rewarding piece despite its more advanced style.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on May 29, 2023, 02:04:43 AM
Quote from: kyjo on May 27, 2023, 08:49:19 AMWas recently listening to this fabulous disc:

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71+alrzGXBL._UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg)

Evocations (1937) and the Trois Poèmes Juifs (1911-13) are two orchestral triptychs which show Bloch at the height of his powers, with masterful command over a large orchestra and in creating a variety of colorful and gripping atmospheres. Of particular note is the brilliantly dramatic second movement of Evocations, with its climactic buildups and generous swats on the tam-tam/gong  (can't remember which) creating a legendary, warlike atmosphere. In fact, the whole work would make excellent background music to a documentary about ancient imperial Japan or China, given its rather special "Asian" flavoring!

I can't profess quite the same level of admiration for the late, rather acerbic Symphony in E-flat (1955), but it's still a cogently written work that shows Bloch constantly experimenting with new styles near the end of his life. Anyone familiar with his Sinfonia Breve which dates from around the same time? As far as I know, it's only been recorded once, by Doráti on Mercury Living Presence.
Totally agree with you Kyle (as is often the case  :) ) Trois Poems Juifs (Sedares) is being reissued with Abravanel's 'Israel Symphony' and Schelomo soon.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: vandermolen on May 29, 2023, 02:05:52 AM
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on May 28, 2023, 10:08:13 AMIndeed, a most terrific CD! Unlike you, I find the Symphony in E-flat an intriguing and rewarding piece despite its more advanced style.
Terrific Indeed Cesar! Although I prefer the earlier Symphony in C sharp minor.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on November 09, 2023, 04:36:09 PM
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on May 28, 2023, 10:08:13 AMIndeed, a most terrific CD! Unlike you, I find the Symphony in E-flat an intriguing and rewarding piece despite its more advanced style.

I, too, like the Symphony in E-flat.
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Symphonic Addict on November 09, 2023, 07:57:56 PM
Quote from: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on November 09, 2023, 04:36:09 PMI, too, like the Symphony in E-flat.

All of his five symphonies are significantly strong and engrossing, even the lesser known ones (Sinfonia brevis and Symphony for trombone/cello and orchestra).
Title: Re: Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)
Post by: Maestro267 on November 10, 2023, 12:46:42 AM
Because they're not numbered in the traditional way, I always thought the C-sharp was his only symphony.