The
creator of music of great spiritual expression, Ernest Bloch was born in Geneva, Switzerland. In his native city, he studied violin and
composition. The composer settled in the United States and assumed the directorship of the Cleveland
Institute of Music and later the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Bloch
incorporated novel musical elements into highly dramatic scores, often
influenced by philosophical, poetic, or religious themes. A master composer of
music for strings, Bloch's pupil Roger Sessions praised him for his special
ability to express "the grandeur of human suffering." The suite Baal Shem, 'three pictures of Chassidic
life' is composed of Vidui (contrition), Nigun (prayer), and Simchas Torah
(rejoicing). The Nigun, as played here, is full of emotion and conjures up all
the history, hope, sorrow, and tears of the Jewish people. Lindsay Deutsch
Classical Music | Violin Music
Ernest Bloch
Nigun, from Baal Shem Suite Play
Recorded on 12/07/2004, uploaded on 01/13/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Nigun, from Baal Shem Suite Ernest Bloch
The creator of music of great spiritual expression, Ernest Bloch was born in Geneva, Switzerland. In his native city, he studied violin and composition. The composer settled in the United States and assumed the directorship of the Cleveland Institute of Music and later the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Bloch incorporated novel musical elements into highly dramatic scores, often influenced by philosophical, poetic, or religious themes. A master composer of music for strings, Bloch's pupil Roger Sessions praised him for his special ability to express "the grandeur of human suffering." The suite Baal Shem, 'three pictures of Chassidic life' is composed of Vidui (contrition), Nigun (prayer), and Simchas Torah (rejoicing). The Nigun, as played here, is full of emotion and conjures up all the history, hope, sorrow, and tears of the Jewish people. Lindsay Deutsch
More music by Ernest Bloch
Prayer, From Jewish Life
Méditation hébraïque for cello and piano
Suite Modale
Prayer, From Jewish Life
Three Nocturnes for Violin, Cello and Piano
Performances by same musician(s)
Invierno Porteño
Suite Populaire Espagnole
Habañera, Op. 21, No. 2, from Three Spanish Dances
Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
Malagueña, Op. 21, No.1, from Three Spanish Dances
Scherzo for Violin and Piano in c minor, WoO posth. 2 (from F.A.E. Sonata)
Zapateado, Op. 21, No.6, from Three Spanish Dances
Selections from Porgy and Bess
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
Courtesy of International Music Foundation.