BLOCH: ‘Israel’ Symphony; Schelomo (Rhapsody for Cello); Three Jewish Poems - Utah Symphony, Maurice Abravanel, Zara Nelsova, New Zealand Symphony, James Sedares

“Bloch’s Israel Symphony is a large-scale work anticipating the Hollywood film composers’ styles for biblical epics … the vigour and spontaneity of Abravanel’s Utah performances … transferred to CD with great success” [Penguin Guide] “Nelsova’s Schelomo , with Abravanel’s support, is a fitting setting for the cellist who was Bloch’s own choice for the work.” “The Three Jewish Poems hints towards Respighi’s Roman triptych (then yet to be composed) … Bloch’s subtly coloured canvasses seem custom-built for an age increasingly attracted to late-romantic musical tone-painting. We are therefore greatly indebted to Sedares for these clear-headed, sensitively turned performances, extremely well engineered. Anyone with a taste for atmospheric evocations cannot fail to enjoy” [Gramophone] Trois Poèmes Juifs (Three Jewish Poems) (1913) [25:46][1] Dance: Poco animato 8:53[2] Rite: Calmo (Andante moderato) 7:16[3] Funeral Procession: Lento assai 9:36   New Zealand Symphony Orchestra / James Sedares