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Track Listings
| 1. Schelomo [20'06] Ernest Bloch |
| 2. From Jewish Life, Prayer [3'48] Ernest Bloch / Christopher Palmer (Arrangement) |
| 3. From Jewish Life, Supplication [2'16] Ernest Bloch / Christopher Palmer (Arrangement) |
| 4. From Jewish Life Jewish Song [2'21] Ernest Bloch / Christopher Palmer (Arrangement) |
| 5. Voice in the Wilderness, Moderato [2'45] Ernest Bloch |
| 6. Voice in the Wilderness, Poco lento [4'01] Ernest Bloch |
Product Description
Review
Schelomo, his 1916 Hebrew Rhapsody for cello and orchestra, makes for a powerful start to the disc. Urgent and frequently virtuosic, this deeply lyrical work depicts sumptuous material riches alongside deep inward despair in its portrayal of the book of Ecclesiastes, the cellist cast as the voice of King Solomon (“Schelomo” being the Hebrew for Solomon), with the orchestra representing his internal world and experience of life.
Those familiar with Ecclesiastes won't be surprised to hear that Bloch said of Schelomo, “Almost all my works, even the darkest ones, still end optimistically; or at least with some hope. This is the only one that concludes in complete negation.” How could it not, with Solomon's conclusion on life being that “all is vanity, and a striving after wind”? Clein digs deep into this psyche to produce a strong-toned, deeply felt interpretation, delivering effortlessly rhapsodic flow in the highly virtuosic passages, whilst convincingly colouring in the spiritual elements.
This is particularly apparent as we move on to Prayer, the first movement Bloch's shorter 1924 work, From Jewish Life. Originally composed for cello with piano accompaniment, it's heard here in Christopher Palmer's beautiful arrangement for string orchestra and harp, and is movingly played throughout with deep feeling.
Bloch's symphonic poem Voice in the Wilderness is the other main work on the disc, and gives Clein and the orchestra opportunity to explore every possible dynamic and emotional contrast, which they do to great effect. Indeed, one of the pleasures of the recital is the meeting of minds between orchestra and soloist, each perfectly partnering the other.
After a highly Jewish set of works, the fascinating coda to the disc is Bruch's Kol Nidrei. As Jewish in sound as Bloch's works, his themes based on a German synagogue chant and a part of a psalm setting of Psalm 137 by the Anglo-Australian Jewish composer Isaac Nathan, the joke is that Bruch was not only not Jewish, but was descended from a long line of Christian clerics. It's a lovely piece of programming, tenderly performed.
--Camilla Pia
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Product Description
Customer Reviews
Bloch had an innate understanding of the cello's sonic qualities, which melded superbly with his nostalgic interpretation of Hebrew chant and psalm. Embracing, as he saw it, 'the vigor of the Patriarchs, the violence in the books of the Prophets, the burning love of justice, the sorrow and the grandeur of the Book of Job, the sensuality of the Song of Songs', Bloch's undimmed emotion finds a winning voice in Clein.
There is great sensuality to her playing, with the gentle bending of a note or a slight abrasive touch at the heel of the bow. It works superbly in Christopher Palmer's orchestral arrangement of From Jewish Life and the post-chant ululations of Bruch's Kol Nidrei. Yet there could be more violence here, which remains untapped on the disc until Ivan Volkov takes the reins in the last two movements of Bloch's Voice in the Wilderness. Clein could afford to play with more abandon at the tops of the phrases in Schelomo - as Mischa Maisky does on his unbeatable recording with Bernstein and the Israeli Philharmonic. And, in resolutely pensive series of tracks, there is room for a chink more light.
But these are minor quibbles in what is a highly engaging recording. There's nothing ersatz about Clein's performance, particularly in the rhetoric and flow she conjures with the orchestra. And even if the BBC Scottish is occasionally too hazy in the mix, Volkov elicits a suitably gravelly bass and a dash of vigor.
The pieces of Bloch and Bruch are all very good.
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