Archive
Ernest Bloch
Piano Quintet no. 1
Performance date
14 August 2022
Musicians
Emma Steele, Afonso Fesch, Kei Tojo, Joel Laakso, Yannick Rafalimanana
Program notes
Ernest Bloch (1880-1959) was born in Geneva and emigrated to the US after his studies, where he spent most of his life working as a composer and committed educator - he founded both the Cleveland Institute of Music and Music Academy of the West.
Originally conceived as a cello sonata, Bloch completed his Piano Quintet No. 1 in 1923, after nearly trashing the score in frustration. All the motifs on which the rest of the piece is based are presented in the work's opening pages, and unfold into a work of epic scale and unsetllingly dramatic moods.
Judy and Roger Obrart from the International Ernest Bloch Society were our very special guests at this concert. It was a joy to have them, and to share our love for this brilliant composer.
Photos by Rasmus Kongsgaard
