Ernest Bloch, famous composer of Jewish music, has completed, after two years of intensive work, a new musical setting for the services in reformed synagogues and the composition is ready for its premiere.
This was made known by Cantor Reuben R. Rinder of Temple Emanu-El, president of the Society for Advancement of Jewish Music, who two years ago conceived the idea of writing new music for reform Jewish services and asked Bloch to prepare the scores. Bloch was then director of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
The new service is scored in full orchestra, mixed chorus and baritone cantor soloist but an alternate version substituting organ for orchestra will be available.
The text is in Hebrew. Bloch, on beginning the work, had only a slight knowledge of the language and spent months studying it before even beginning to compose. The score in parts is intensely dramatic.
Cantor Rinder plans to have the premiere take place simultaneously in Temple Emanu-El here and in Temple Emanu-El, New York City, at a date to be announced shortly.
Bloch is now in Switzerland.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
