Ernest Bloch was a Swiss-born American composer and influential music teacher. He is famous for his distinctive musical style, which was characterized by its highly spiritual, expressionist, and enigmatic elements. He is considered one of the leading early 20th century composers, and one of the most creative and important figures within Jewish music.

Born in Geneva, Bloch studied music from an early age, mastering piano and violin. He later attended the Zurich Conservatory, studying composition with Iwan Knorr and then composition with Edmund von Becker.