Max Bruch and Kol Nidrei

Max Christian Friedrich Bruch (1838-1920) also known as Max Karl August Bruch, was a German Romantic composer and conductor who wrote over 200 works, including three violin concertos, one of which is a staple of the violin repertoire.

Figure: Max Bruch (1838-1920)

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His Kol Nidrei, Op. 47, is a popular work for cello and orchestra transcribed for many instruments including viola and clarinet, its subtitle is ``Adagio on Hebrew Melodies for Violoncello and Orchestra''. This piece was based on Hebrew melodies, principally the melody of the Kol Nidre prayer, which gives the piece its name. The success of this work has made many assume that Bruch himself had Jewish ancestry, but there is no evidence for this.