ABSTRACT
A composer is about to be glorified in an unprecedented way. Ernest Bloch’s epic composition “America” is to be performed-almost simultaneously, day for day, hour for hour-by major orchestras of the United States. The composer himself will hear the San Francisco Symphony-for in the Far West he is making his home now. An anthem concludes “America”; the composer hopes that it will become an inspiring call to the people, that the audience will rise to it and join the voices of the score. Then, a miracle will have been performed, and this country’s national hymn-which at present is also that of the imperial Austria and England-will be spontaneously born.
