Ernest Bloch was a composer who was profoundly influenced by his Jewish faith. He was born in Switzerland and later took American citizenship, serving as director of the Cleveland Institute from 1920 to 1925 and later of the San Francisco Conservatory.

Stage Works

Bloch’s only opera, Macbeth, was first staged in Paris in 1910.

Orchestral Music

Bloch’s most characteristic compositions are of Jewish inspiration, in particular his Suite hébraïque (‘Hebrew Suite’) for viola/violin and orchestra, Baal Shem for violin and piano but later orchestrated, and Schelomo for cello and orchestra. His Concerto grosso No. 1 and Concerto grosso No. 2