I love how Bloch reprises the opening theme (of the Prelude) in the Fugue, then inverts the subject of the Fugue to wrap things up. Pure genius! Not only a brilliant philosopher but also a very bright composer.
Why have I neglected Bloch for so long? He taught so many worthwhile composers .This is my introduction though I've half listened whenever the Nigun came on radio. The fugue shows his complete mastery.
I first heard this piece in a friend's dormitory room many years ago, this very recording, and every so often I listen to to it and it never fails to move me.
One of my favorite vintage recordings. I only wish it had been made in the early stereo era. It really sets a standard that, for me, no ensuing recording ever reached. Bloch has always been one of my favorite composers.
The opening of this piece was the theme music for a classical music program on an FM channel in Anchorage, Alaska when I was a child in the 1960s. I have always appreciated the way in which a "modern" composer could breathe new life into old musical forms. The recording I "grew up with" was the Mercury recording with Howard Hanson conducting the Rochester Orchestra.
+Warren Malach Indeed, an attractive piece, and I've learned that it's something of a mainstay in pedagogical settings. I heard this first on an Angel LP with Neville Marriner conducting ASMIF, his outer movements being pretty sprightly with a lot of Baroque articulations (i.e., bows off the string much of the time). That performance is currently on what I take to be an EMI 2-disc re-mastering featuring the Sacred Service. I surmise this wasn't distributed in the US but I just ordered it from Amazon.com. Meanwhile, I can't recall a time when your favorite, Hanson's, hasn't been available.
My first recording of it was also the Mercury LP with Howard Hanson conducting the Eastman Rochester Symphony Orchestra. Many of the fine pieces that Hansen conducted that orchestra on Mercury were later performed by the Seattle Symphony for CDs.
Ah,the depth those vibrant strings dig into,giving huge weight to the Prelude,even if i really prefer it a little faster.Kubelik cares about every phrase,making the Dirge into a memorable,expressive emotional journey.Hard to imagine the Fugue more intensely played;what a marvellous musician,Kubelik! The congested massed sound and acid top end spoil the pleasure at first but the ears accustom quickly.A great performance.
I first heard it at an outdoor concert (open air, small crowd, sitting on the ground) in Hawaii. It was threatening to rain. The conductor looked back over his shoulder a couple of times to see if anyone was there. What is innocuous to some can be an epiphany for others.
... neben Hindemiths Weber-Metamorphosen eine der ganz großen Aufnahmen der Chicagoer Symphoniker unter dem unvergesslichen, unvergleichlichen (jungen) Maestro Rafael Kubelik...
Spannende und wunderschöne Interpretation dieses ein bisschen expressionistischen Meisterwerks mit gut artikulierten Töne aller Streichinstrumente und schwergewichtigem Klang des Soloklaviers. Der unvergleichliche Dirigent leitet das hoch funktionelle Orchester im gut phrasierten Tempo mit völlig effektiver Dynamik. Ganz sprachlos!
I love how Bloch reprises the opening theme (of the Prelude) in the Fugue, then inverts the subject of the Fugue to wrap things up. Pure genius! Not only a brilliant philosopher but also a very bright composer.
Know this work well ;&Yet although Kubelik is one of my favorite conductors had no clue he ever recorded this masterpiece.
Why have I neglected Bloch for so long? He taught so many worthwhile composers .This is my introduction though I've half listened whenever the Nigun came on radio. The fugue shows his complete mastery.
I first heard this piece in a friend's dormitory room many years ago, this very recording, and every so often I listen to to it and it never fails to move me.
One of my favorite vintage recordings. I only wish it had been made in the early stereo era. It really sets a standard that, for me, no ensuing recording ever reached.
Bloch has always been one of my favorite composers.
Masterpiece.
Great conductor and beautiful music !
Thanks a lot
The opening of this piece was the theme music for a classical music program on an FM channel in Anchorage, Alaska when I was a child in the 1960s. I have always appreciated the way in which a "modern" composer could breathe new life into old musical forms. The recording I "grew up with" was the Mercury recording with Howard Hanson conducting the Rochester Orchestra.
+Warren Malach Indeed, an attractive piece, and I've learned that it's something of a mainstay in pedagogical settings. I heard this first on an Angel LP with Neville Marriner conducting ASMIF, his outer movements being pretty sprightly with a lot of Baroque articulations (i.e., bows off the string much of the time). That performance is currently on what I take to be an EMI 2-disc re-mastering featuring the Sacred Service. I surmise this wasn't distributed in the US but I just ordered it from Amazon.com. Meanwhile, I can't recall a time when your favorite, Hanson's, hasn't been available.
My first and favorite is also Hanson's. And I predicted that vinyl was a passing fad!
My first recording of it was also the Mercury LP with Howard Hanson conducting the Eastman Rochester Symphony Orchestra. Many of the fine pieces that Hansen conducted that orchestra on Mercury were later performed by the Seattle Symphony for CDs.
Ah,the depth those vibrant strings dig into,giving huge weight to the Prelude,even if i really prefer it a little faster.Kubelik cares about every phrase,making the Dirge into a memorable,expressive emotional journey.Hard to imagine the Fugue more intensely played;what a marvellous musician,Kubelik! The congested massed sound and acid top end spoil the pleasure at first but the ears accustom quickly.A great performance.
Ah, my all-time favorite recording of the piece. I've had the LP for decades.
Molto grazie.
I first heard it at an outdoor concert (open air, small crowd, sitting on the ground) in Hawaii. It was threatening to rain. The conductor looked back over his shoulder a couple of times to see if anyone was there. What is innocuous to some can be an epiphany for others.
... neben Hindemiths Weber-Metamorphosen eine der ganz großen Aufnahmen der Chicagoer Symphoniker unter dem unvergesslichen, unvergleichlichen (jungen) Maestro Rafael Kubelik...
Ah.. Thank you! For the great posting and the so appropriate photo..
Greetings.. Compare this to Villa-Lobos 1st Bachianas Brasileiras
Spannende und wunderschöne Interpretation dieses ein bisschen expressionistischen Meisterwerks mit gut artikulierten Töne aller Streichinstrumente und schwergewichtigem Klang des Soloklaviers. Der unvergleichliche Dirigent leitet das hoch funktionelle Orchester im gut phrasierten Tempo mit völlig effektiver Dynamik. Ganz sprachlos!