Harbison wrote his Requiem in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, but much of its musical material dates from earlier, starting in 1985 with a draft of the Introit…The vocal soloists make a mainly positive impression, as does conductor Giancarlo Guerrero. All told, this is a solidly reliable account of a worthwhile work.

Balancing the ritual and the personal in an expressive and accessible musical language, the work reveals throughout Harbison’s sensitivity to the meaning of the text. The Nashville Symphony Chorus has really grasped the measure of this music and delivers a compelling account, with exemplary diction, bundles of rhythmic energy when needed, and even tone. Together with four excellent soloists, Giancarlo Guerrero and his Nashville forces deliver a first-rate performance of the piece.

Harbison provides his own booklet notes for a superbly engineered and produced recording.