Voices of Connection: 05/06 Ernest Bloch: Movement IV from Sacred Service

I have loved and performed this inspired work for over 40 years and was blessed to study it with the composer’s daughter, Suzanne Bloch, who was one of my teachers at Juilliard. Whereas there are limitless settings of the Christian Mass, settings of the Jewish Saturday Morning Liturgy by major composers are few and far between. The Bloch Sacred Service stands without peer. His setting was deeply personal and was not based on “traditions” but inspired by a cosmic vision. Over the coming months we will feature the entire piece. Today is just a first sampling of this extraordinarily beautiful work. This fourth movement begins vigorously and quickly transforms to gorgeous, lush, tender music – no more so than the concluding “Etz Chayim” (“Tree of Life”), with its feeling of love and peace. In this 2018 performance we were blessed to have the exceptional baritone Zachary Nelson, organist Andrew Henderson, and Helen Karloski from our chorus. Thank you, Hadassah Weiner who requested it! Hadassah is a member of our audience and my neighbor!
– Dennis Keene

---

ERNEST BLOCH Movement IV from Avodath Hakodesh ("Sacred Service")

Voices of Ascension
Dennis Keene, Artistic Director

Cantor: Zachary Nelson, Baritone
Sarah Griffiths, Soprano
Helen Karloski, Mezzo-soprano
Heather Petrie, Contralto
Brandon Lloyd Hynum, Tenor
Jason Eck, Bass-baritone
Andrew Henderson, Organist


Recorded on May 17, 2018
Church of the Ascension, New York, NY

The singers in this performance are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO.

---