Ernest Bloch

Scherzo Fantasque for Piano and Orchestra

Just under nine minutes in length, Swiss-born American composer Ernest Bloch's 'Scherzo Fantasque' is a short tour de force for solo Piano and orchestra. It is unusually showy and diversionary for a generally sober and thoughtful composer. Fascinating rhythmic shifts and flashes of tonal color mark the first section. Although Bloch is primarily noted for his use of traditional Hebraic and Jewish melodies, hints of this are not heard until the contrasting slow middle section, first stated in the exotic-sounding English horn. A vigorous return of the beginning and recapitulation ensue characterized by a vivid use of instrumentation. A blistering coda brings this exhilarating finale to a close.