Bloch?

[Dan Kazez <KAZEZ...>]

According to Abraham Z. Idelsohn ("Jewish Music:  Its Historical 
Development")

  Ernest Bloch's music is designated "Jewish."  Its Jewishness, 
  however, consists in an abundance of augmented steps, and, 
  according to the opinion of some, in a certain heavy melancholy.  
  But, these characteristics are NOT exclusively Jewish, for all 
  the Semitic and Tartarian peoples have the same characteristic 
  step, and as to the melancholy impression Oriental music makes 
  on the Occidental hearer, we have seen in the course of our 
  discussion that such an impression is based upon the difference 
  of taste of Orientals and Occidentals.  At best, Bloch's music 
  may be said to have a touch of Orientalism.  A. Einstein says of 
  him:  "Determined to create Jewish music, he does not turn to the 
  real Oriental or Jewish music for themes, but tries to construct 
  the character and spirit of his race out of himself."  In a 
  similar way an Englishman, German or Russian, born and reared in 
  the Orient in an Arabian atmosphere, would try to compose 
  English, German or Russian music, without actual knowledge of 
  his people's song.  In music such as Bloch's, we find the 
  refutation of the lightly conceived and unthinkingly accepted 
  present-day opinion that the musician, unconscious and ignorant 
  though he be of his people's music and folklore, yet 
  instinctively manifests these racial expressions.  Seductive as 
  is the theory, for rational nationalists, there is in music not 
  only no tangible proofs of it, but positive evidence against it.  
  Not through composers without Jewish background, and without 
  being imbued with their people's folk-song, has Jewish music 
  left any unique impress upon general art-music.  For the Jew his 
  lore and his faith substitute national atmosphere.

Well, well!

Dan Kazez

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    Daniel Kazez / Associate Professor of Music
    Wittenberg University / Springfield, Ohio 45501
    kazez (at) wittenberg(dot)edu / tel:  513-327-7354 / fax:  513-327-6340