The Neglected Bloch

Is Earnest Bloch (1880-1959) one of the 20th century's most underrated composers? I think so, and his music is certainly not played often enough. Although he was born in Geneva Switzerland, he spent a good deal of his life in the United States and took his American citizenship in 1924. Some of his major works include: Schelomo ( Solomon ), a work performed by many of our greatest cellists, Suite Hebraique, Israel Symphony, and his Sacred Service. I was first introduced to Bloch's music through a recording of the Concerto Grosso no.1 for strings and piano with the Chicago Symphony conducted by Rafael Kubelik. The recording we listened to this morning featured the Kristiansand Chamber Orchestra and was recorded in Norway on the INTIM MUSIK label. Yes, I never heard of that label either but the sound is excellent and the recording also features the Concerto Grosso no.2 and another wonderful piece, the Four Temperaments by Paul Hindemith. The performances here are exemplary; look for it on Amazon. We now eagerly await a recording of Bloch's Symphony in E flat conducted by a Bloch specialist Dalia Atlas. I certainly don't expect to hear this piece any time soon in a concert hall. Stay Tuned.