Evocations

Released in 1994 by Koch International Classics, this recording of Evocations was part of a dedicated effort to capture the orchestral works of the Swiss-born composer Ernest Bloch. The album features the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by James Sedares, with flutist Alexa Still performing the Concerto Symphonique. These compositions reflect Bloch's signature blend of late Romanticism and his deeply personal exploration of his Jewish heritage, creating an atmospheric, meditative soundscape that he termed his symphonic poems.

The album was received as a valuable contribution to the discography of 20th-century American music, highlighting the sophisticated orchestration and emotional depth that Bloch brought to his mid-career works. By documenting these less frequently performed pieces, the recording provided a crucial resource for listeners interested in the evolution of modern classical forms. The production captured the precise, evocative textures of Bloch's writing, emphasizing his interest in both philosophical abstraction and the structural rigor of the symphonic tradition.