Exaltations
Acis, 2025
8/10
The composer Reena Esmail pens 3 selections for double choir and brass quintet, where 5 musicians and 3 soloists are present for the pieces that fit between the works of Gabrieli and Bruckner.
“Hossana” opens with the rich trumpets from Daniel Taubenheim and Kristopher Westrich alongside the group vocals that surround the dynamic and ambient delivery.
In the middle, “Alleluia” swirls with a radiant energy via the soft versus busy bouts that make great use of Mark Hughes’ French horn, while “Gloria” exits with a lively energy that blends the voices amid textured brass and meticulous songwriting.
The soloists include Katelyn Grace Jackson (soprano), Matthew Newhouse (tenor) and Aryssa Leigh Burrs (mezzo). Austin Westjohn contributes trombone and Zach Bridges handles tuba. Together, they flesh out Esmail’s vision with incredible attention to detail in a spiritual and uplifting effort.
Travels well with: Sam Post And Ralitza Patcheva- The Well “Tampered” Clavier, Book 1; Susanna Mendlow- Travels With Cello