The Past Is Present
Neuma, 2025
9/10
The New York guitarist and composer Jeffrey Schanzer presents a body of work about the Holocaust survivors and their children, where strings, winds, drums and voices illuminate the very powerful album.
“Lament For Erik” opens the listen with Thomas Meglioranza’s expressive baritone and Ron Lawrence’s stirring viola, and “A Mother’s Story-1939-40” follows with Isabelle Ganz’s stunning soprano alongside Mary Wooten’s elegant cello.
Further along, “Afterture/A Son’s Thoughts” uses Brian McCorkle’s tenor and Ned Rothenberg’s bass clarinet strategically, which suits the rich string presence, while “Conversation With A Cousin” unfolds across 2 chapters that radiate meticulous violin thanks to Laura Seaton, which complements Sylvia Bloom’s robust soprano.
Arriving close to the end, “A Son Questions (You Can’t Make Up For The Holocaust)” recruits Joyce Hammann’s intricate violin and Kevin Norton’s light drumming amid the conversational tone, and “A Father’s Death” exits with Margot Leverett’s dreamy clarinet adding much to the busier selection that uses many voices.
All the text present is taken from the oral testimony of Schanzer’s family, and it embraces classical and opera ideas to further remind us of one of the lowest points of humanity. Sadly, this is as relevant as ever with the abundance of holocaust deniers and pro-fascism minds lingering today.