Bloch, Ernest: Suite

for Violla 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 was inspiredby 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,'themost cheerful think I ever wrote.' It is based on pentatonic motives (like a common Chinese scale) and also recalls music from the other movements.