The Empire City Men’s Chorus deliver a poignant and powerful rendition of Nicholas Weininger’s nine-movement cantata, a heartfelt homage to the victims of the pandemic, which was premiered last March. Weininger skilfully weaves together texts from the Tanakh, eloquently sung in Hebrew by the chorus and presented in Robert Alter’s powerful English translations by the three soloists. The cantata unfolds as a tapestry of colours and profound mourning, with occasional echoes of an ancient musical language, wherein the orchestra plays a virtuosic role. The dialogue between the orchestra and the chorus propels the narrative into the realms of music’s and humanity’s deepest questions and dreams.

Soprano Amy Buckley, particularly when paired with Blythe Gaissert in their glorious duet of hope and strength in the seventh movement, delivers a transcendent performance. Brian Mextorf contributes heroically, and all three infuse an emotional intensity that at times pushes the boundaries of reason. The chorus, embodying the composer’s vision, eloquently sing of breath and its spiritual meanings. The orchestra, featuring a dynamic brass choir and impassioned strings, play an integral role, as solo roles for horn, trumpet, clarinet, cello and others enrich the musical landscape along the way, contributing to seamless transitions between choral, orchestral and soloist elements.

As the CD’s title – derived from the Hebrew verse ‘All is mere breath and herding the wind’ – suggests, the cantata captures the beauty and breadth of the ephemeral nature of existence. Weininger’s composition, written in 2020, resonates profoundly in the present moment, making it a timely and resonant exploration of the human experience.