Music: Sacred Service

One of the few contemporary composers who has the respect of conservatives and radicals alike is Ernest Bloch, Jew by blood, Swiss by birth, American by citizenship. Everyone who knows of Bloch knows he is a Jew. His greatest works declaim the suffering of the Hebrews, their religious exaltation. Last week in Manhattan Bloch's faith and eloquence were manifested again in the U. S. premiere of his Avodath Hakodesh (Sacred Service), a setting for the liturgical texts used in the Hebrew temple. Composer Bloch conducted the performance, given by the 250 choristers of...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!