Bloch: America, Epic Rhapsody / Schwarz, Seattle Symphony

Regular price $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
    Works
    1. America

      Composer: Ernest Bloch

      Ensemble: Seattle Chorale, Seattle Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Gerard Schwarz

    2. Concerto grosso no 1 for String Orchestra and Piano

      Composer: Ernest Bloch

      Ensemble: Seattle Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Patricia Michaelian (Piano)

      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