Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)

[Mirror Image]

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.

[Mirror Image]

This CD is exceptionally good:



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:

[Mirror Image]

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?

[vandermolen]

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'.

[Mirror Image]

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.

[classicalgeek]

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? ), where do I start? I'd like to listen to some of his orchestral music, but anything is fair game.

[Jo498]

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".

[Karl Henning]

The Sinfonia breve.

[Mountain Goat]

So, dear Blochians (Blochites? Blochheads? ), 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:

[Karl Henning]

Sadly I have not heard much by him so can't (yet) claim to be a "Blochhead"

Nicely done!

[Mountain Goat]

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  Let's hope it becomes recognised as the official term!

[classicalgeek]

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".

The Sinfonia breve.

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:

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.

[classicalgeek]

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  Let's hope it becomes recognised as the official term!

Surely someone must have thought of it already?

I see there are some listening suggestions from when this thread was last active... I'll look at those too.

[Spotted Horses]

I would say this is my favorite Bloch CD, with Jenny Lin



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.

[classicalgeek]

I would say this is my favorite Bloch CD, with Jenny Lin



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.

[vandermolen]

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? ), 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:

[classicalgeek]

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.

[Karl Henning]

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  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!

[classicalgeek]

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.

Not sure why I missed it earlier. Consider the praise for "Blochhead" suitably trandferred to our classicalgeek's shoulders!

Well, thank you!

[Symphonic Addict]

For the string quartets 1-4, this set is mandatory:



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.