Bloch Nigun No 2 From Baal Shem Violin/Piano
Three Pictures Of Chassidic Life
"What Interests Me," Wrote Bloch, "Is The Jewish Soul, The Enigmatic, Ardent, Turbulent Soul That I Feel Vibrating Throughout The Bible...It Is All This That I Endeavor To Hear In Myself And To Transcribe Into My Music; The Venerable Emotion Of The Race That Slumbers Way Down In Our Souls." Bloch's Baal Shem Is Made Up Of I. "Vidui" (Contrition) Un Poco Lento; Ii. "Nigun" (Improvisation) Adagio Non Troppo; Iii. "Simchas Torah" (Rejoicing) Allegro Giocoso. Nigun Is The Most Extrovert Composition. Bloch Attempts To Recreate The Feeling Of Ecstatic Religious Chanting Through A Highly Charged And Ornate Melodic Line That Rises To A Fever Pitch Of Spiritual Intensity Before Dying Away To A Gentle Close.
