MILKEN ARCHIVE OF AMERICAN JEWISH MUSIC
and
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS
announce the release of two more CDs.
The music of SAMUEL ADLER and ERNST TOCH.
For more information, go to http://www.milkenarchive.org/cds/cds.taf?cdid=15

SAMUEL ADLER (CD #8.559415)
Samuel Adler, one of America’s most respected composers, is equally known for his Judaic and general concert works. The selection of works on this CD embraces choral, cantorial, chamber, solo, and symphonic music, culminating in the Symphony No. 5, WE ARE THE ECHOES, which is based on Jewish poetry reflecting aspects of Jewish experience throughout history. The finale quotes the Jewish philosopher Heschel: “Now and then, high above me, I catch a glimpse of the faceless face of God.”

ERNST TOCH (CD #8.559417)
“Fetters fell, the captive rose. Old is the memory of Israel’s escape from Egypt. Told and retold for thousands of years, the story has given strength to the weary, hope to the disheartened.” Thus begins Ernst Toch’s CANTATA OF THE BITTER HERBS, a unique musical-dramatic work begun during the great German-Jewish composer’s forced exile to the United States, and premiered in Los Angeles in the midst of World War Two. Toch’s retelling of the Passover story is cast as an appeal for universal justice and liberation from oppression. The composer’s ultimately triumphant vision is set to luminous late Romantic music and includes a solo quartet that recalls the beauty of the famous trio from DER ROSENKAVALIER. For more information, go to http://www.milkenarchive.org/cds/cds.taf?cdid=16