Bloch: Sacred Service

Track Listings

1. Avodath Hakodesh (Sacred Service), for baritone, chorus, & orchestra

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
The Sacred Service (Avodath Hakodesh), dates from 1930-33. The six-note motif G-A-C-B-A-G, heard at the very outset, and which permeates the entire work, has been found in one of Bloch's early manuscript books, with a comment "for a possible Jewish service" written above it. However, it was not until 1927, while a Director of the San Francisco Conservatory that he began to make specific plans with the help of Reuben Rinder, Cantor of Temple Emmanuel in that city. As a result of his influence Bloch two years later received a handsome commission from Gerald Warburg (to whom the work was dedicated) to write a Sabbath Morning Service for that Reform congregation, based upon the text of the American Union Prayer Book for Jewish Worship. In addition Bloch received an annual grant from the Stern family - prominent patrons of the Arts in San Francisco - to last ten years from 1930, on condition that he devote himself to composition exclusively. He received guidance from Cantor Rinder (who also suggested traditional chants such as that for Tzur Yisroel in the Jewish Ahavah Rabbah mode), and it is fascinating to see in his copious correspondence with Rinder and others how the work germinated and developed, once he had settled in the Swiss village of Roveredo-Capriasca, high above Lake Lugano:

"... I have now memorized entirely the whole Service in Hebrew... I know its significance word by word ... But what is more important, I have absorbed it to the point that it has become mine, and as if it were the very expression of my soul ... It has become the very text I was after since the age of ten ... a dream of stars, of forces ... I declaim out loud, amidst the rocks and forests in the great silence ... It has become a "private affair" between God and me ...

Tracks:

Meditation (Prelude) - Ma Tovu - Borechu - Shema Yisroel...
Kedusha (Sanctification)
Silent Devotion (Prelude) And Response - Yih'yu Letrotzon...
Returning The Scroll To The Ark - Gad'lu Ladoshem...
Va'anachnu (Adoration) - Bayom Hahu - Tzur Yisroel
Yevorechechoh Adoshem (Benediction)

Average customer rating:

Greatest piece of Jewish Music =s Handel's Messiah

Ernest Bloch: Sacred Service; Schelomo

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Ernest Bloch: Sacred Service
Bloch: String Quartets 1-4
Darius Milhaud: Service Sacre [Milken Archive of American Jewish Music]
Bloch: Concerti Grossi Nos. 1 and 2 / String Quartet
Jewish Cello Masterpieces

ASIN: B00005UDXT
Release Date: 2002-02-26

Tracks:

Sacred Service (Avodath Hakodesh): Part 1: Meditation (Mah Togu)
Sacred Service (Avodath Hakodesh): Part 2: Sanctification (Kedushah)
Sacred Service (Avodath Hakodesh): Part 3: Silent Devotion (And Response), Taking The Scroll From The Ark (Interlude)
Sacred Service (Avodath Hakodesh): Part 4: Returning The Scroll To The Ark
Sacred Service (Avodath Hakodesh): Part 5: Adoration (Vaanachnu), Benediction
Schelomo: Hebraic Rhapsody For 'Cello And Orchestra - W. Zara Nelsova
Supplication - Ernest Bloch
Jewish Song - Ernest Bloch

Customer Reviews:

Greatest piece of Jewish Music =s Handel's Messiah.......2005-03-02

This is a great recording of one of the greatest pieces of religious music, not just for Jews but for Christians alike. Only one recording better: Bernstein's classic recording on vinyl with his New York Symphony and the late great Leonard Warren, sadly not available on CD, (so far as I know). (Pray for Bernstein's CD availability, then demand it, from the powers that be!) [Yes, this recording is a little better than the South African recording, I have all three!]

Average customer rating:

Bloch: Sacred Service

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000027M3
Release Date: 1992-07-28

Tracks:

Sacred Service: Part I: Meditation (Prld). Moderato/Ma Tovu. Poco Meno Mosso
Sacred Service: Part I: Borechu. Moderato-Shema Yisroel. Moderato
Sacred Service: Part I: Andante Moderato/Ve'ohavto. Tranquillo-Moderato
Sacred Service: Part I: Mi Chomochoh. Allegro Moderato
Sacred Service: Part I: Tzur Yisroel. Andante Molto Moderato
Sacred Service: Part II: Kedusha (Sanctification): Nekadeish. Moderato
Sacred Service: Part III: Silent Devotion (Prld) And Response. Andante Moderato/Yih'yu Letrotzon...
Sacred Service: Part III: Taking The Scroll From The Ark (Interlude). Quieto/Toroh Tzivoh. Quieto
Sacred Service: Part IV: Return The Scroll To The Ark. Moderato/Gad'lu Ladonoy. Moderato
Sacred Service: Part IV: Eitz Chayim (Peace Song). Molto Quieto
Sacred Service: Part V: Va'anachnu (Adoration). Andante Moderato
Sacred Service: Part V: 'Kaddish' Prayer (Memorial Service, Spoken). Poco Piu Lento/Tzur Yisroel...
Sacred Service: Part V: Yevorechechoh Adonoy (Benediction). Molto Moderato

Tracks:

Song Of Songs: Biblical Cant: I. 'Awake, O North Wind' - Jennie Tourel
Song Of Songs: Biblical Cant: II. 'Come My Beloved' - Jennie Tourel
Song Of Songs: Biblical Cant: III. 'By Night On My Bed' - Jennie Tourel
Song Of Songs: Biblical Cant: IV. 'Set Me As A Seal' - Jennie Tourel
Sweet Psalmist Of Israel: I. David Before Saul. Largo - Sylvia Marlowe/Christine Stavrache
Sweet Psalmist Of Israel: II. Invocation. Molto Calmato E Con Divozione Profunda - Sylvia Marlowe/Christine Stavrache
Sweet Psalmist Of Israel: III. A Song Of Degrees. Con Moto Solenne - Sylvia Marlowe/Christine Stavrache
Sweet Psalmist Of Israel: Vivo-Pesante-Molto Allargando-Animando - Sylvia Marlowe/Christine Stavrache

Amazon.com

This lovely work is a setting of the standard Friday evening Sabbath service, and it will be familiar to Jews everywhere. Of course, all of the tunes are original, though as always with Bloch's Jewish works, there is a strong flavor of the Far East in the cast of his harmony. There isn't very much high quality Jewish sacred music. There have always been plenty of Jewish composers, but until the second half of this century, the circumstances of the Diaspora militated against the security and accumulation of wealth that a large musical establishment operating out of a synagogue necessarily requires. Of all of the more recent settings of the Jewish liturgy, this is the finest, and this performance is also the best it has ever received. --David Hurwitz

Average customer rating:

Bloch: Sacred Service

Manufacturer: Phoenix USA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005YY0E
Release Date: 2000-05-18

Tracks:

Avodath Hakodesh (Sacred Service), for baritone, chorus, & orchestra

Album Description

The Sacred Service (Avodath Hakodesh), dates from 1930-33. The six-note motif G-A-C-B-A-G, heard at the very outset, and which permeates the entire work, has been found in one of Bloch's early manuscript books, with a comment "for a possible Jewish service" written above it. However, it was not until 1927, while a Director of the San Francisco Conservatory that he began to make specific plans with the help of Reuben Rinder, Cantor of Temple Emmanuel in that city. As a result of his influence Bloch two years later received a handsome commission from Gerald Warburg (to whom the work was dedicated) to write a Sabbath Morning Service for that Reform congregation, based upon the text of the American Union Prayer Book for Jewish Worship. In addition Bloch received an annual grant from the Stern family - prominent patrons of the Arts in San Francisco - to last ten years from 1930, on condition that he devote himself to composition exclusively. He received guidance from Cantor Rinder (who also suggested traditional chants such as that for Tzur Yisroel in the Jewish Ahavah Rabbah mode), and it is fascinating to see in his copious correspondence with Rinder and others how the work germinated and developed, once he had settled in the Swiss village of Roveredo-Capriasca, high above Lake Lugano:

Product Description

Track 1 is Part I, Track 2 is Part II. Track 3 is Part III. Track 4 is PartIV. Tracks 5 and 6 are PartV.

Average customer rating:

Ernest Bloch "Sacred Service"
A wonderful performance of wonderful music.

Ernest Bloch: Sacred Service

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000ADN
Release Date: 1992-10-28

Customer Reviews:

Ernest Bloch "Sacred Service".......2001-10-21

Moving! The Baritone soloist sings with great power and charisma.
There is so much happening over the span of this piece. The meditation evolks reverie and solemnity while the other more Fortissimo segments stir the soul to ardor! Bloch's music here is reminicent of Mahler's great choral works but with a whole different spirit. Another individual used the word "sublime" to describe this piece, and I agree 100%. Check this one out!

A wonderful performance of wonderful music........2000-04-20

I sang the Sacred Service as a freshman at Smith College, along with the Rutgers University Glee Club. Each and every time I listen to this recording, I am taken back to that time. It is a wonderful CD of amazing music by a very talented composer. The recording really shows the listener the awesome power that is created by Bloch's combination of orchestra and voice. Truly sublime!

Average customer rating:

Synagogue Chants

Manufacturer: Le Chant Du Monde
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Jewish & Yiddish Music | Folk | Styles | Music

Klezmer | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000DG2C
Release Date: 1998-10-27

Tracks:

Chomer Yisroel
Yehi Rotson...Cheyibone
Elou Devorim
Al Tachlikhenou
Chema - Herve Desarbre
Kevodo
Mimaamakim
Enoch
El Mole Rahamim
Ani Maamin
Prld - Herve Desarbre
Tsour Yisroel
Sim Cholom
Im Echkahekh Yerouchalayim
Scalerica De Oro

Bloch: Sacred Service - Avodath Hakodesh / Bloch, Rothmuller, London PO

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Bloch: Sacred Service - Avodath Hakodesh / Bloch, Rothmuller, London PO
Marko Rothmuller , and London Philharmonic Choir
Manufacturer: Spalax
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000I8GK
Release Date: 1999-03-16

Tracks: