WGBH Radio WGBH Radio theclassicalstation.org

Bloch: America, Epic Rhapsody / Schwarz, Seattle Symphony

Bloch / Michaelian / Seattle Sym & Chorale
Release Date: 04/24/2012 
Label:  Naxos   Catalog #: 8572743   Spars Code: DDD 
Composer:  Ernest Bloch
Performer:  Patricia Michaelian
Conductor:  Gerard Schwarz
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Seattle Symphony Orchestra,  Seattle Chorale
Number of Discs: 1 
In Stock: Usually ships in 24 hours.  

Notes and Editorial Reviews

Bloch’s America may not be one of his greatest pieces, but then none of his “geographical works” (Israel, that Swiss thing) belongs in that category. Like the country itself, America the “musical” is big, ungainly, and lots of fun. It ends with an audience-participation sing-along, for those who are so inclined. This performance, originally released on Delos, is about as good as it gets, not that there’s much competition. Stokowski did it for Vanguard, and Naxos has another very good version featuring Dalia Atlas. Take your pick. If the couplings determine your choice, this release features an excellent version of the Concerto Grosso No. 1, one of Bloch’s best-known and most immediately attractive pieces

— David Hurwitz, Read more ClassicsToday.com
Read less

Works on This Recording

1. America by Ernest Bloch
Conductor:  Gerard Schwarz
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Seattle Symphony Orchestra,  Seattle Chorale
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1926; USA 
 Date of Recording: 06/1993 
Length: 39 Minutes 7 Secs. 
Language: English 
2. Concerto grosso no 1 for String Orchestra and Piano by Ernest Bloch
Performer:  Patricia Michaelian (Piano)
Conductor:  Gerard Schwarz
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Seattle Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1924-1925; USA 
 Date of Recording: 01/31/1993 
Length: 22 Minutes 14 Secs. 

Sound Samples

America: an Epic Rhapsody: I. 1620: The Soil - The Indians - (England) - The Mayflower - The Landing of the Pilgrims
America: an Epic Rhapsody: II. 1861-1865: Hours of Joy - Hours of Sorrow
America: an Epic Rhapsody: III. 1926: The Present - The Future (Anthem)
Concerto Grosso No. 1: I. Prelude: Allegro energico e pesante
Concerto Grosso No. 1: II. Dirge: Andante moderato
Concerto Grosso No. 1: III. Pastorale and Rustic Dances
Concerto Grosso No. 1: IV. Fugue

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 1 Customer Review )
 Bloch: Corny to Wonderful July 17, 2012 By Robert W. (Saint Joseph, MO) See All My Reviews "I bought this CD for the Concerto Grosso. The America Rhapsody is a cornball piece totally out of character with the rest of Bloch's works. The Concerto Grosso, on the other hand, is a blockbuster piece that grabs hold of you from the very beginning and can leave you exhausted by the time it ends. This performance with Schwarz et al is pretty good, though I think it could use more passion, maybe even some occasional of the hysteria that I've heard in other performances. " Report Abuse
Review This Title
Review This Title Share on Facebook