An epochal event long awaited by American Jewry, the initial rendition of the great sabbath musical service composed by Ernest Bloch has been brought nearer to realization with the arrival of the famous composer of Jewish music in San Francisco after an absence of three years.
Mr. Bloch has just returned to San Francisco from abroad for a series of conferences with Cantor Reuben R. Rinder of Temple Emanu-El on the matter of arrangements for the first renditions of the impressive music.
It was largely through the efforts of Cantor Rinder as president of the Society for the Advancement of Synagogal Music, that plans were made some years ago to have a new musical service composed for American temples of worship. Some time after this announcement came the startling word that Bloch, distinguished composer, had been commissioned to create the music desired.
Bloch, then in San Francisco, first devoted himself to a study of Hebrew so that he would read and understand the synagogue ritual in its original tongue. Then he went abroad and for the last two years in Switzerland and Italy has devoted himself largely to his composition.
The few who have been privileged to hear the completed score, pronounce it one of the most inspiring sacred services ever written.
No definite plans for the first renditions have yet been completed but it is expected that they will be given simultaneously in San Francisco and New York.
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