The first impression, which is more or less confirmed throughout the entire Requiem sung by the men’s choir, is that the music is not somber and only very rarely sad, but radiates a great deal of warmth and confidence. Benedict Sheeman, known for his outstanding choral music, has assembled beautiful melodies and responds to the violence, horror and suffering of Putin’s barbaric war with an occasionally solemn beauty.

Performed by the excellent Axios Men’s Ensemble and the tenors and basses of Pro Coro Canada under the direction of Michael Zaugg, this music is an important statement in our time.