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Explosive by temperament, intolerant of contemporary modernists. Composer Bloch upholds racial musical distinctions as militantly as any German Nazi theorist. Says he: "Racial consciousness is absolutey necessary in music even though nationalism is not. I am a Jew. I aspire to write Jewish music not for the sake of self-advertisement, but because it is the only way in which I can produce music of vitality."
* Two of Bloch's larger works are available for the phonograph, both recorded by Victor (Musical Masterpiece Series). They are the Concerto Grosso, played by the Philadelphia Chamber String Sinfonietta, under Fabien Sevitzky; and the Quintet for Piano and Strings, played by Alfredo Casella and the Pro Arte Quartet. His Violin and Piano Sonata has been issued by Gamut Records.