Ernest Bloch: Viola and Piano
Barbara Hornung and Danaë Killian have played as a duo for a number of years, with the viola and piano works of Swiss-American composer Ernest Bloch (1880–1959) forming the heart of their musical collaboration.
Both musicians are highly individual. A free flow of originality and freshness permeates their ensemble.
Known best for his music on Jewish cultural and liturgical themes, Bloch was an eclectic modernist composer who drew inspiration from around the globe to create his original and compelling language. His music speaks with the intensity, freshness, and variety of a force of nature.
The compositions for viola and piano by Jewish Swiss-born American composer Ernest Bloch range from dramatic intensity and directness to other-worldly beauty. You will hear a Meditation of great depth, the exquisite simplicity of the Enfantines for children for piano, and sadness, hope, discord and resolution in the Suite for Viola Solo. There are optimistic Processionals to be enjoyed as well as music of compelling rhapsodic freedom. The CD concludes with a joyous and empowering Affirmation.
Reviews
The very forward recording captures every bit of wispy viola intonation, hovering around the edge of the note, of which there are a few examples, but Hornung’s playing is fresh and idiomatic. Her plangent, sometimes sobbing, tone seems authentic to the music’s Eastern European Jewish tradition, and the performers enjoy an intimate understanding. Killian also gives a tender and poised account of a solo work, Enfantines, 10 piano pieces for children. These may be simple, but Killian keeps the musical interest high with her expressiveness, such as the charming perkiness she achieves in Teasing. ★★★½
Artists
Danaë Killian
Dr Danaë Killian is an Australian pianist whose poetry-infused performances are known for intense originality and expressive interpretive power. Her repertoire spans the complete solo piano music of the Expressionist Second Viennese School, major polyphonic Bach, and a wealth of Australian works.
Ernest Bloch
Ernest Bloch (1880–1959) was a Swiss-born American composer whose best-known music draws on Jewish cultural and liturgical themes. An eclectic modernist, he shaped a dramatic, original language especially eloquent in writing for strings and orchestra.
Barbara Hornung
Barbara Hornung is an Australian violist from a large musical family. She was a member of the Australian Youth Orchestra and received her Bachelor of Music (Hons) degree from the Elder Conservatorium, Adelaide University in 1984.
Audio previews
Tracks
- Meditation 3:56
- Processional 2:27
- Lullaby 1:43
- The Joyous Party :58
- With Mother 2:37
- Elves 1:29
- Joyous March 1:32
- Melody 2:38
- Pastorale 1:48
- Rainy Day 1:30
- Teasing 1:00
- Dream 1:53
- Andante 3:04
- Moderato 2:38
- Andante 3:40
- Allegro deciso 2:54
- Rapsodie 6:27
- Processional 2:05
- Affirmation 3:24
Meditation and Processional for Viola and Piano (1951) Ernest Bloch
Enfantines: Ten Pieces for Piano for Children (1923) Ernest Bloch
Suite for Viola Solo (unfinished 1958) Ernest Bloch
Suite Hébraïque for Viola and Piano (1950) Ernest Bloch
Performers
- Danaë Killian · all except tracks 13–16
- Barbara Hornung · all except tracks 3–12
Where to listen
Ernest Bloch: Viola and Piano is available for streaming through Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Ernest Bloch: Viola and Piano is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MCD 578
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 47 minutes 43 seconds
- Recording Engineer
- Vaughan McAlley
- Release date
- May 2018
- Musical work
copyright - © 2018 Danaë Killian and Barbara Hornung
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 2018 Move Records
- Category
- Classical
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574057829
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