Ernest Bloch was born in Geneva, Switzerland, July 24th, 1880. He
studied in Geneva with Jaques Dalcroze; in Brussels with Ysaye; at the
Hoch Conservatory in Frankfort with I. Knorr; and with Thuille in
Munich. His opera "Macbeth" was produced at the Opéra Comique in Paris
in 1910. In 1915 he was appointed professor of composition in the
conservatory in Geneva. In 1916 he came to America as conductor of the
Maud Allan Symphony Orchestra. His quartet was performed by the
Flonzaleys that season, and in May, 1917, the Society of the Friends of
Music devoted a concert entirely to his works. Returning to Switzerland
in the summer he once more voyaged to America, this time with the
intention of settling here. He taught composition at the David Mannes
School from 1917 to 1919. In September, 1919, he won the Coolidge Prize
with his Suite for viola. He lives in New York.
Besides "Macbeth," the list of his compositions includes a Symphony in
C-sharp minor; "Vivre-Aimer"; "Hiver-Printemps"; "Trois Poèmes juives,"
"Trois Psaumes" (22nd for baritone, 14th and 137th for soprano); "Poèmes
d'Automne" for mezzo-soprano; "Schelemo," rhapsody for 'cello and
orchestra; "Israel" (symphony--two movements); String-quartet; and Suite
for viola and piano or viola and orchestra. A sonata for violin and
piano is in process of preparation.