Prayer From a Jewish Life #1

Prayer from a Jewish Life, #1 for C flute or Alto flute with piano accompaniment by Ernest Bloch
Arranged by Francine Ross Pancost
Duration: 4’30”

This is the first movement of three from Bloch’s “From a Jewish Life” and the most well known. ‘Prayer’ displays a balance of formal symmetry, even simplicity with passionate emotional intensity. Bloch originally composed his tripych, Jewish Life, in 1924, for cello and piano. From Jewish Life, portrays life in the Eastern European ghetto. Prayer, the suite’s first movement, is soulful and bittersweet. Both its principal themes employ Jewish liturgical modes. This solo works well both on concert C flute and Alto flute with piano accompaniment