Move Records Australian classical & art music, est. 1968
Front cover art for Ernest Bloch: Viola and Piano

Ernest Bloch: Viola and Piano

Violist Barbara Hornung and pianist Danaë Killian have long made the viola and piano works of Swiss-American composer Ernest Bloch (1880–1959) the heart of their duo, spanning Jewish-themed chamber music, solo viola and piano miniatures for children.

Danaë Killianpiano Ernest Blochcomposer Barbara Hornungviola
  • CatalogueMCD 578
  • Released1 May 2018
  • Playing time48 minutes 34 seconds

Listen & tracks

3 of 19 tracks have a preview · 4 works · 48:34

  1. Meditation and Processional for Viola and Piano (1951)Ernest Bloch 2 movements6:31
    1. 1 Meditation 3:59
    2. 2 Processional 2:32
  2. Enfantines: Ten Pieces for Piano for Children (1923)Ernest Bloch 10 movements17:40
    1. 3 Lullaby 1:46
    2. 4 The Joyous Party 1:01
    3. 5 With Mother 2:40
    4. 6 Elves 1:32
    5. 7 Joyous March 1:35
    6. 8 Melody 2:41
    7. 9 Pastorale 1:51
    8. 10 Rainy Day 1:33
    9. 11 Teasing 1:03
    10. 12 Dream 1:58
  3. Suite for Viola Solo (unfinished 1958)Ernest Bloch 4 movements12:21
    1. 13 Andante 3:04
    2. 14 Moderato 2:38
    3. 15 Andante 3:40
    4. 16 Allegro deciso 2:59
  4. Suite Hébraïque for Viola and Piano (1950)Ernest Bloch 3 movements12:02
    1. 17 Rapsodie 6:30
    2. 18 Processional 2:08
    3. 19 Affirmation 3:24

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 who drew inspiration from around the globe to create an 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 the Jewish Swiss-born American composer 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 as well as music of compelling rhapsodic freedom. The disc 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

— Barney Zwartz, Sydney Morning Herald

Artists

Photograph of Danaë Killian by photographer Daniel Rabin

Danaë Killian

piano

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.

 Photograph of Ernest Bloch

Ernest Bloch

composer

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.

 Photograph of Barbara Hornung

Barbara Hornung

viola

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.

Digital booklet

Digital booklet Notes, texts and credits — read online or download the PDF Download the PDF

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$25.00 AUD

Compact disc

Buywell Music Australian Music Centre

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Apple Music

Also available to download from the iTunes Store.

Performers

Technical credit

  • Recording Engineer Vaughan McAlley

Details

List price
$25.00 AUD
Total playing time
48 minutes 34 seconds
Release date
Category
Classical
Genre
Modernist Classical
Musical work copyright
© 2018 Danaë Killian and Barbara Hornung
Sound recording copyright
℗ 2018 Move Records
Catalogue
MCD 578
EAN
9314574057829

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