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Home > Introduction of BLOCH's most
important works(English) |
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Introduction
of BLOCH's most important works
chosen at webmaster's own discretion
This section introduces
Bloch's "MOST IMPORTANT WORKS" chosen at
webmaster's own discretion in order of year. In other words,
they may be webmaster's favorite music, however, compositions
which may be just my taste are excluded.
All of compositions here is worth listening. Recommended
discs are also introduced. Other compositions will be
introduced in the future.
"Schelomo" is the most well-known work in
Bloch's compositions. Presently many international-class
cellists play "Schelomo", and it became recognized
as main repertoire for cello.
But Whether or not, this work makes general impression of
Bloch's composition.
If you see Compositions List in
chronological order, you will find that this work is one
of his earliest composition. It can be said that
"Schelomo" is just an entrance of Bloch's
outstanding compositions.
It must be unnecessary to introduce it now with webmaster's
poor sense, but the webmaster tentatively makes it in due
form.
"Schelomo" is one of the series of "Jewish
cycle" Bloch composed in this era and is the most
striking composition.
As the title says, this work which is for violoncello-solo
and orchestra is not concerto but Rhapsody. It may mean that
this work is not for showing violoncello-technique but is
composed in free form.
Solo-violoncello symbolizes King Solomon (Schelomo), and it
leads orchestra. In the entire music, it is full of
mysterious atmosphere and colorful orchestration with shades
and it gives us great impression.
The webmaster's best choice is live recording laserdisc by
Rostropovich/Bernstein/Orchestre National de France.
There is also CD recorded in
same term. But because of that it is live recording and
with picture, it gives us great impression. The state of
Rostropovich who is concentrating without trying to wipe
perspiration is overwhelming.
Unfortunately, this laserdisc is no longer available and it
is hard to get it.
Nevertheless some libraries e.g. Aichi Art Center (Japan)
collect laserdiscs and you can watch them there.
The year 1919 may be rich harvest year for viola. Great
viola works, Hindemith's viola sonata op.11-4 and Clarke's
viola sonata were composed in the year. Of course, Bloch's
Viola suite was composed in the same year.
This work is a little different from earlier "Jewish
cycle". Not featuring ethnic color, it is formed on
orthodox musical form in four movements. This work may be
equal to Bartok or Stravinsky who was active in same era.
From arpeggio by piano of the the beginning, the music
attracts us completely. The music shows mysterious third
movement, last movement with oriental atmosphere using
pentatonic scale.
At the first, this work was composed for viola and piano,
soon later it was orchestrated for viola and orchestra. In
orchestral version, sense of color is emphasized and
mysterious atmosphere becomes deeper. In the last movement,
it shows the world of exotic mood like that Mahler described
in "Das Lied von der Erde".
After this composition, Bloch composed many chamber music in
1920s. The compositions in this era show a tendency to
avant-garde, mysticism, or neo-classicism than sense of
strong Jewish color.
Several recordings of this work are available. Several CDs of
this work are available. They are comparatively easy to get.
The webmaster likes to listen to the recording included in "ERNEST BLOCH : Complete
music for viola and piano" by Ernst & Lory Wallfisch.
It is a little old recording, but sound quality is good.
Bloch's viola works are all great. In this CD, you can enjoy
matured music.
The collection of works in 1919 by Schotten/Collier is also
good.
In orchestral version, the
CD coupling with Bartok's viola concerto by
Thompson/Freeman/Slovenian Radio Symphony Orchestra shows
performance with exotic coloration.
There is the recording by great William Primrose, but it is
very old recording and it can never be said that its sound
quality is good.
Bloch composed many chamber music in 1920s. This is a
masterpiece towering above the chamber music composed much in
1920s.
It is in one movement and its duration is about 20 minutes.
It may be a large-scale work in chamber music.
Violin sonata No.1 composed in 1920 was more avant-garde work
than this work in which violin techniques are drastically
used. In contrast to first sonata, violin techniques e.g.
double stopping are not so much used in this work, and it
would pursue pure music expression in this work.
The theme played by violin only at the opening is composed of
almost E-tone and H-tone, and makes mysterious atmosphere .
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Copyright,
1925, by F. E. C. Leuckart.
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Also after that, melody moves mainly with fifth or fourth
intervals, and also in the harmony, fifth interval, not triad
is frequently used. In a sense of perfectly clear
transparentness, music grows slowly and assumes tension
gradually. At one climax, suddenly music assumes expression
and begins to intone Gregorian Chant.
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Copyright,
1925, by F. E. C. Leuckart.
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Several recordings of this work are available. Several CDs
of this work are available. They are comparatively easy to
get.
Because of that this work has few technical element, results
of performance would depend on musicality of players.
Mediocre performance can never show us true value of this
work.
In that respect, the recording included in "Bloch : Complete
Music for Violin and Piano Volume II" by the Weilerstein
Duo shows us value of this work enough.
The recording of
Mordkovitch/Milford shows us a large-scale moving music.
The duration of performance is over 26 minutes. Music begins
in very slow tempo and in the whole music, and the tension
continues without a break until the end. It shows the swell
of the emotion.
This must be truly great performance which makes us recognize
the real worth of this work.
Unfortunately, although it is great masterpiece, there is
very few recordings by international-class artists.
The webmaster hopes that this work will be recognized as main
repertoire for violinist.
It can be said that this work is neo-classicism work which
is based on baroque music style called "Concerto
Grosso". In the classical music style, this work has
also modern music elements. It makes this music very
impressive.
Piano is not solo-instrument but basso-continuo like cembalo.
However piano plays sometimes as independent roles.
This work consists of 4 movements. Each of them are titled
"Prelude", "Dirge", "Pastrale and
Rustic Dances" and "Fugue".
First movement is composed on Ritornello form which has
characteristic theme in combination of two-four time and
four-four time.
Second movement is slow movement. In middle section, Melodie
in minor key is played on accompaninent in major key. It
makes Jewish atmosphere.
Music continues to Third movement "Pastrale and Rustic
Dances" without pause. Third movement is refined dance
music which has British atmosphere.
Fourth movement is magnificent "Fugue" which is
worth closing the music as Finale. Music grows repeating
expositions and episodes, then it reaches climax. After the
theme of first movement reappears, Coda ends the music.
Amadeus Chamber Orchestra
may be best recording of this work. Performance and sound
quality are both great. It has cheerful sound in entire
music. Especially, two later movements are wonderful. We
could never heard beauty of soli of violas in middle section
of third movement and overwhelming lively motion of fourth
movement in other recordings. In "Fugue", eighth
notes are played staccato. That develops lively motion. The
section near the reappearance of the theme of first movement
may be the best passage in this music.
In contrast to Amadeus
Chamber Orchestra, the
recording of San Diego Chamber Orchestra shows us
tasteful music with profundity. Changes of tempo are played
faithfully to the score.
Hanson/Eastman-Rochester
Orchestra is a little old recording, but sound quality is
good. It shows us strong large-boned music, and is worth
listening.
There is the recording of Neville Mariner, but unfortunately,
it is not released as CD.
Incidentally, analog record of its recording released from
Toshiba-EMI, Japan included detailed analysis of this work.
During 1930s, Bloch was returning to Europe. In this era,
he didn't compose so much works. However, in this era, he
composed mainly orchestral works. All of them are substantial
works.
Bloch composed very few vocal works, and this work is the
only one except his earlier compositions. This is Jewish
oratorio which seems to be a comprehensive compilation of
Bloch's music.
Baritone-solo, as Cantor leads chorus. This is beautiful
music whose orchestration is colorful.
There is not so much recording of this work. Some of them are
Bernstein/New York
Philharmonic and Simon/London
Symphony Orchestra.
There is also the recording conducted by the composer ( Rockport
Records / Jewish Music
Heritage Recordings ) which
is sung in English.
It is very old recording, but it is low noise and its sound
quality is not bad.
Through making full use of pentatonic scale and exquisite
colorful orchestration, this work is masterpiece which
represents oriental atmosphere.
This work consists of 3 parts. The whole music is played
without pause.
I."Contemplation" is a mysterious music using
piano, celesta effectively.
II."Houang Ti (God of War)" is fierce music which
deserves its title.
III."Renouveau" is beautiful music with exotic mood
which has somewhat Chinese atmosphere.
This music also has somewhat atmosphere of Buddhism which is
same as Toshiro Mayuzumi's Nirvana symphony.
There are few recordings of this work. They are only Sedares/New Zealand Symphony
Orchestra and Amos/Lithuanian National Philharmonic
Orchestra. Nevertheless sound quality and performance of both
of them are good.
Bloch composed many of works for solo-instrument and
orchestra. However the work which is purely titled
"concerto" is only this one.
Bloch had studied violin with Ysaye, and he was well
acquainted with violin. Violin technique e.g. double-stopping
in his work seems to have same style as Ysaye, and this work
must be his masterpiece in which Bloch displayed his great
power.
Throughout the whole music, colorful and wonderful
orchestration is full used, and it shows occasionally Jewish
atmosphere, oriental mood and the music which reminds native
American.
This work consists of 3 movements.
First movement is on sonata form. Soon after entering the
recapitulation, there is cadenza. This movement has same
atmosphere with "Schelomo".
Second movement is slow movement with full of mysterious and
sentimental beauty.
In third movement, theme of first movement reappears, and
music develops cheerful music in American style.
The webmaster's favarite disc is Menuhin/Kletzki/Philharmonia
Orchestra. Both of performance sound quality are good.
Both of performance sound quality are good, and it may be
exemplary recording which shows the quintessence of this
work.
Joseph Szigeti who did first performance of this work
recorded this work twice. They are collaborations with Mengelberg/Concertgebouw
Orchestra, Amsterdam and Münch/Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du
Conservatoire, Paris.
The recording
with Münch/Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du
Conservatoire, Paris is very old recording, but
this one is hard to disregard. Its sound quality is not bad
for this era, and it is worth listening.
The recording with
Mengelberg/Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam is live
recording. In third movement, there is a little incident
which lets listeners feel a sudden fear.
There are not so many recordings of this work, too. It is
desired that major artists perform this work more and more.
The webmaster expects that violinists e.g. Itzhak Perlman,
Gil Shaham will play great performance of this work ....
Because of its very simple title, the webmaster didn't pay
any attention to this work. However, if you really listen to
it, you will find this is masterwork with very high
completion degrees.
The reason of the simple title must be that this work is not
programme music but absolute music removing emotional
elements and giving priority to the musical form.
This work consists of 3 movements, and they are titled
"Overture", "Passacaglia" and
"Finale".
Highlight of this work is "Passacaglia" which is
played after "Overture" without pause. It is
dignified great Passacaglia such as German music.
Passacaglia is baroque variation music form, and it is rare
that it is used in later era. Its famous example is the last
movement of Brahms' fourth symphony.
"Finale" is great music, too. It may be on Rondo
form (or Ritornello form). For reason that the score is
unavailable, it is not able to confirm details. But it can be
said that there is not so many tempo change, and it may
follow allegro movement style in the classical period.
Bloch who had been stopping composing during the world war II
resumed composing with this work.
Many of his previous works are on programme music style.
After this work, the works in the evening of his life follow
not popularized but neo-classicism style which gives priority
to musical form.
This work has very few recordings. Nevertheless we have the
recording of wonderful performance by Oramo/Malmö
Symphony Orchestra.
The webmaster is keen that the catalogue of this work will be
enriched.
And also the score must be available for sale to promote this
work.
It can be said that this work is a dignified
neo-classicism work the same as Suite Symphonique (1944).
Of course, piano is featured as solo-instrument. Nevertheless
throughout the music brass instruments sound showily. This is
unrefined and stately music.
Generally, concerto consists of 3 movements in
[fast-slow-fast].
This work has scherzo (but not in triple time) in second
movement and it became [fast-fast-fast]. It is very unusual
structure.
Second movement has long trio which would be slow movement in
essence.
characteristic theme of first movement appears in second
movement, too, and in third movement the motif derived from
it develops.
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Copyright,
1950 in U.S.A. by Hawkes & Son (London), Ltd.
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This work has very few recordings, too. They are Mitchell/Golschmann/Vienna
State Opera Orchestra and Yui/Amos/London
Symphony orchestra.
The webmaster is keen that the catalogue of this work will be
enriched.
And the score seems presently out of stock. However some
libraries e.g. Tokyo-Bunka-Kaikan have it in possession and
you can look through it there.
This work is small concerto with full of balmy beauty
which is very far from "Schelomo". By the point of
view, it can be said that this work is like that of Mozart.
This work consists of 3 parts (movements). They are movement
in Allegro comodo, slow movement and Fuga, and are played
without pause. Fuga has eccentric theme which is composed of
combination of triplet and eighth notes, and it is somewhat
comical music which seems scherzo style.
Furthermore, there is the version in which full orchestra is
suddenly added in last 14 measures.
This work has very few recordings, too. Nevertheless the
recording of Kofler/Nicolai/Amadeus
Chamber Orchestra shows us charm of this work.
The webmaster is keen that the catalogue of this work will be
enriched.
Incidentally, Score of this work is listed in the catalog of
G. Schirmer, but in fact, it is not score but sheet music for
flute, viola, clarinet with piano accompaniment(50286760).
Please notice it !
Bloch whose age was near 80 got cancer, his health
condition became worse, and the death was in front of him.
Some composers standing in front of death show different
outlook on the world than before.
For instance, Richard Strauss who had composed dramatic
orchestral works and operas making full use of very large
orchestra with colorful, voluptuous orchestration has left
completely different compositions in most later years.
"Metamorphosen", "Four Last Songs" have a
deep outlook on the world.
Also Bloch standing in front of death composed this work.
This work consists of 2 parts, "Funeral Music" and
"Life again?...". As this titles show, the theme of
this work must be "DEATH". At the beginning,
characteristic rhythm is played on D-tone played by
contrabasses. It brings calm but unusual tension.
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© Copyright
1961, 1975, by Broude Brothers Limited.
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Soon Solo flute enters. Throughout Part 1, Strings are
with mutes, and "Funeral Music" continues without
big ups and downs. Then tension of beginning comes again, and
it enters part 2 "Life again?..." without pause.
As it enters Part 2, the music springs to life. But it has
something empty look and no lively motion sense.
It can be said that this work shows music of nirvana with
clear transparentness pervading the whole music.
There are only one recording of orchestral accompaniment
version of this work. It is played
by Alexa Still . We have no choice. But it shows us true
worth of this work.
The webmaster hopes that the catalogue of this work will be
enriched.
Extra
choice
This work consists of 3 parts, and expresses American
history.
It begins with an atmosphere which reminds unexplored
continent, and finished with brilliant "Anthem"
sung by chorus. And many songs (e.g. "Old Folks at
Home" by Foster) are quoted, these melodies appear one
after another.
It may be a popularized work, but it may be a interesting
work in a sense.
This work won a prize from "Musical America".
There is a recording of this work by Leopold Stokowski / The
Symphony of the Air.
The CD of this recording also includes speech by the
composer, he speaks about this work.
Incidentally, Stokowski was one of the judges for the prize
of "Musical America".
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