Ernest Bloch - Bloch: Music for Viola and Piano (LP)

Immerse yourself in the rich, evocative soundscapes of Ernest Bloch's "Bloch: Music for Viola and Piano," a captivating collection of works that showcase the composer's mastery of the viola and piano duo. Released on April 1, 2011, by Music and Arts Programs of America, this album offers a compelling journey through Bloch's diverse musical expressions, spanning a total duration of 1 hour and 10 minutes.

The album opens with the four-movement Suite for Viola and Piano, a work that beautifully demonstrates Bloch's ability to convey a range of emotions and moods, from the introspective Lento to the lively Molto vivo. Following this, the five Sketches in Sepia paint vivid sonic pictures, each piece telling its own story, from the haunting Prelude to the reflective Epilogue.

The Suite hébraïque offers a glimpse into Bloch's Jewish heritage, with the Processional, Rapsodie, and Affirmation movements each exploring different facets of this cultural and spiritual connection. The album also includes the evocative In the Night and the Suite for Viola, as well as the meditative 2 Pieces, which conclude with a second Processional.

Throughout the album, Bloch's compositions reveal a deep understanding of the viola's expressive capabilities, as well as a keen sense of harmony and rhythm. Whether you're a longtime fan of Bloch's music or a newcomer to his work, this album is sure to leave a lasting impression.