Ernest Bloch (1880-1959) was born in the Swiss city of Geneva. He received violin lessons as a child but started composing on his own. He eventually enrolled at the Brussels Conservatory, where he studied violin with Eugène Ysaÿe and then later studied composition with Iwan Knorr at the Frankfurt Conservatory. In 1916, he moved to the United States, where he remained for the rest of his life. He became a prominent teacher, serving as the first director of the Cleveland Institute of Music and later of the San Francisco Conservatory. Among his many students were George Antheil, Frederick Jacobi, Bernard Rogers, and Roger Sessions. Bloch's early works show the influence of Richard Strauss but also of Claude Debussy. One can hear elements of post-Brahmsian late German romanticism as well as French impressionistic effects in works from this period. As time went on, he tended to use Jewish liturgical and folk music for his inspiration. He composed in virtually every genre.
While in Cleveland, Bloch finished his huge, boldly original First Piano Quintet in 1923. H own movement markings provide an excellent guide to describing the work. The first movement, Agitato, is indeed agitated, a neo-Classical form filled with surging power and anxious restlessness. The middle movement, marked Mistico, is also quite appropriate with its eerie mystical nature and haunted melodies. The sprawling, muscular finale Allegro energico features tremendous waves of energy, but the work closes with a fading lyricism.
Powerful and riveting, this quintet is highly original not only for its ideas but its occasional use of quarter tones. If brought into the concert hall, which it deserves be, it will be sure to make a powerful impression.
