Professor Parry Karp’s new album with conductor Kenneth Woods and the BBC National Orchestra is earning critical acclaim.
Released July 2025 on Signum Records, “Ernest Bloch: Schelomo – Hebraic Rhapsody, Suite for Viola and Orchestra,” was included on Gramohphone’s August 2025 “Editor’s Choice” list, which recognizes the best new classical recordings.
“The performance by Karp and Woods is all that one could wish for, conveying the atmosphere and energy of Bloch’s inspired writing and finding a breathtaking sense of fantasy in the lyrical central episode of the final movement,” Gramohphone writes. “With engineering as excellent as the performances, this is a very desirable release.”
According to the Signum Records release notes, “Schelomo: Rhapsodie Hébraïque is the most celebrated part of Ernest Bloch’s Jewish Cycle, and although originally conceived for voice, Bloch determined that only the cello could adequately embody the character of Solomon. The Suite for Viola and Piano was composed between February and May 1919, and the cello version is the work of the pianist and composer Adolph Baller and cellist Gábor Rejtő, who recorded their version in 1969. This album sees the World Premiere Recording of the cello version for orchestra, with cellist Parry Karp, who studied with Rejtő.”
“Getting to record these two masterpieces with conductor Kenneth Woods and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales is a dream come true,” Karp said in the notes.
In another review from Arcana FM, the reviewer notes the “Balance between cello and orchestra could not be bettered in the spacious yet analytical ambience of Hoddinott Hall, while Woods contributes his customary insightful observations. Aficionados and newcomers alike will find much to delight and absorb them on this release.”
Karp is Artist-in Residence, and the Robert and Linda Graebner Professor of Chamber Music and Cello at the School of Music, where he is director of the string chamber music program. He has been cellist of the Pro Arte Quartet for the past 49 years, the longest tenure of any member in the quartet’s over 100-year history.
Woods earned his Master’s in Cello Performance as a student of Karp at the School of Music from 1991-1993. He is a 2020 recipient of the Mead Witter School of Music Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes an alumnus or alumna who is making an outstanding contribution to the music profession in service or in artistic impact. Woods was appointed Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the English Symphony Orchestra in 2013, , and has quickly built up an impressive and acclaimed body of work with them.
As a guest, Woods has conducted ensembles including the National Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Budapest Festival Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia and the English Chamber Orchestra.
