Bloch, Ernest 1880 - 1959
Author: Saitoh, Noriko
Last updated：September 1, 2008
Author: Saitoh, Noriko
A Jewish composer born in Geneva, Switzerland, who was active in the United States. Instead of directly using Jewish folk songs or religious themes, he aimed for music based on their spirit. He composed works such as the Symphonic Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1947–1948) and chamber music including piano.
He received his initial musical training from Jacques-Dalcroze in his native Geneva, and studied violin with Ysaÿe and composition with Lâssus at the Brussels Conservatory. Subsequently, he enrolled in the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt, studying with Knorr, and also studied with Thuille in Munich. He presented his works in Paris and Switzerland, and in 1915, he was appointed professor at the Geneva Conservatory. The following year, he moved to the United States, where he continued to conduct his own works and compose, while also teaching music at various music schools across the country. Although he briefly returned to Switzerland in the 1930s, he came back to the United States due to the intensification of fascist anti-Jewish policies. As years passed, the Jewish spirit in his music became more pronounced, influencing not only Jewish composers like Sessions, Copland, and Bernstein, but also a wide range of contemporary American composers.
Works(14)
Concerto (1)
concerto (4)
Piano Solo (3)
pieces (5)
Various works (4)