Ernest Bloch

Suite for Viola and Piano

This composition was inspired, and originally titled, according to a romantic vision of the Far East, (which Ernest Bloch had never visited). At one time the suite had a set of descriptive titles, which begun with 'In the Jungle (Life in the Primitive World)'- at attempt to portray Nature in its wildest and most primitive state. The second movement was known as 'Grotesque (Simian Stage)' - it is sardonic and fantastic. The third movement was inspired by the tales of a close friend about a night-time journey through Javanese villages from which could be heard the distant sound of wooden musical instruments. The finale, originally 'Land of the Sun (China)' was, Bloch said, 'the most cheerful thing I ever wrote. ' It is based on pentatonic motives (like a common Chinese scale) and also recalls music from the other movements.