Kol Nidrei, Op.47 for viola and piano by Max Bruch
Edited by Alexander Lehmann. Published by Carl Fischer
Max Bruch (1838-1920) was a German romantic composer who wrote in the conservative tradition of Mendelssohn and Brahms. He had a strong sense of form and a special gift for lush, expressive melodic writing. Though he wrote over 200 works, he is almost exclusively known for three works: his Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, the ''Scottish Fantasy'' for violin and orchestra, and ''Kol Nidrei'' for cello and orchestra.
Bruch's ''Kol Nidrei'' for cello and orchestra is subtitled ''Adagio on Two Hebrew Melodies''. Though Bruch was a Protestant, he was interested in incorporating Jewish folk music into his composition. The mysterious first melody (and title) comes from the ''Kol Nidre'' declaration of the Yom Kippur service, with the cello emulating the voice of the cantor. Much of the rest of the piece is pure German melodicism, showing Bruch at his best. This arrangement is for viola and piano. Intermediate-advanced level, Grade 4.
