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Ernest Bloch’s

Avodath Ha-Kodesh:

A Synopsis and

Detailed Program Note

Seth Ward

E rnest Bloch’s Avodath Ha-Kodesh: The Sacred to their performance of the Bloch Sacred Service in

April 2023. These discussions suggested that con-
Service easily ranks among the Hebrew-
language major works performed most
appreciate a detailed program note providing a
often in North America. It is part of the repertoire ductors, performers, and audiences would greatly
of symphonies and choral organizations that rarely guide to each of the Sacred Service’s five parts, with
perform any other Hebrew choral music. Its pow- comments on the music, explanations of the syna-
erful drama, devotion, and sense of sanctity and gogue ritual, as well as biblical references in the
celebration speak to wide audiences, as do its calls text (since these are not given in the score).
for peace and universal brotherhood. Many of The baritone in this performance was Arik
these audiences, however, and often the music di- Luck, the Cantor of Congregation Emanu-El in
rectors and performers themselves, are unfamiliar San Francisco, which had commissioned the work
with the Hebrew worship service, its elements, and almost one hundred years ago. Adam Waite and
how they relate to the music. Cantor Luck reviewed the following program note;
This synopsis is edited from an article published I am grateful for their edits. It is offered here in
by the author in 2003, informed most recently the hope that it will be useful for symphonies and
1
by discussions with members of the Westminster choral organizations preparing this piece. The re-
Choir of the Montview Boulevard Presbyterian mainder of this article may be used as a program
Church in Denver, Colorado, and its conductor, note for performance, with proper attribution of
Montview’s Minister of Music Adam Waite, prior author and publication.

Seth Ward, PhD
Philosophy and Religious Studies
University of Wyoming (retired)
SWard@uwyo.edu

38 CHORAL JOURNAL October 2023 Volume 64 Number 3