Bloch: America, Epic Rhapsody / Schwarz, Seattle Symphony

$19.99
Label
Naxos
Release Date
April 24, 2012
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      BLOCH, ERNEST
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Seattle Symphony & Chorale
    • PERFORMER
      Michaelian, Sparks, Schwarz
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      April 24, 2012
    • UPC
      747313274376
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      8572743
    • LABEL
      Naxos
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Orchestral & Symphonic
    Works ⌄

    1. I. 1620: The Soil - The Indians - (England) - The Mayflower - The Landing of the Pilgrims

      Composer: Ernest Bloch

      Ensemble: Seattle Symphony Chorale, Seattle Symphony

      Conductor: Gerard Schwarz

    2. II. 1861-1865: Hours of Joy - Hours of Sorrow

      Composer: Ernest Bloch

      Ensemble: Seattle Symphony Chorale, Seattle Symphony

      Conductor: Gerard Schwarz

    3. III. 1926: The Present - The Future (Anthem)

      Composer: Ernest Bloch

      Ensemble: Seattle Symphony Chorale, Seattle Symphony

      Conductor: Gerard Schwarz

    4. I. Prelude: Allegro energico e pesante

      Composer: Ernest Bloch

      Ensemble: Seattle Symphony

      Performer: Patricia Michaelian

      Conductor: Gerard Schwarz

    5. II. Dirge: Andante moderato

      Composer: Ernest Bloch

      Ensemble: Seattle Symphony

      Performer: Patricia Michaelian

      Conductor: Gerard Schwarz

    6. III. Pastorale and Rustic Dances

      Composer: Ernest Bloch

      Ensemble: Seattle Symphony

      Performer: Patricia Michaelian

      Conductor: Gerard Schwarz

    7. IV. Fugue

      Composer: Ernest Bloch

      Ensemble: Seattle Symphony

      Performer: Patricia Michaelian

      Conductor: Gerard Schwarz


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, ClassicsToday.com