Suzanne Bloch American lute player Country: USA

1. Early Life and Family
2. Musical Education and Early Career
3. Return to the United States and Concert Debut
4. Recognition and Success
5. Legacy

Early Life and Family

Suzanne Bloch was born in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, into a musical family. Her father was the renowned composer Ernest Bloch, and her mother was Marguerite Schneider. The family immigrated to the United States in 1916, but Suzanne returned to Europe in 1925 to pursue her musical studies.

Musical Education and Early Career

Bloch studied music in Paris under the tutelage of Nadia Boulanger. She became fascinated by early music and particularly the lute. She worked extensively in European archives, researching lute repertoire and collaborating with renowned instrument maker Arnold Dolmetsch in London. In 1933, she purchased a restored lute from Dolmetsch.

Return to the United States and Concert Debut

Bloch returned to the United States in 1935 and began her concert career. Her performances aimed to popularize early music, often featuring her own vocals and playing the virginal. She also directed a small ensemble of recorders, including her husband, the mathematician Paul A. Smith, as a member.

Recognition and Success

Initially met with skepticism, Bloch's concerts gradually gained recognition as interest in historical performance practices grew. She became a professor at the Juilliard School in 1942, where she taught until 1985. From 1974 to 1977, she served as president of the American Lute Society.

Legacy

Suzanne Bloch played a pivotal role in the revival of early music in the United States. Her concerts, research, and teaching inspired a generation of musicians and performers. She left a lasting legacy as a pioneer in the field of historical performance.