Amor Aeternus: A Requiem for the Common Man

 

Amor Aeternus: A Requiem for the Common Man

By

Heidi Breyer

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Heidi Breyer is an artist I have known for some time, from Another Place and Time in fact! ... to a moment where we shared Moonlight In Empty Rooms, and I have always rated her as being one of the most heartfelt and descriptive artists of her time, and her skill set of being able to express emotion through music is perhaps unparalleled, here the artist takes on the biggest voyage of her entire career, and brings to life our hopes and dreams, as we start to once again find our feet within this 21^st century.

Amor Aeternus: A Requiem for the Common Man, has to be one of the finest modern day albums of its style of all time, from its emotive beginnings in the opening foray of Introit, where the powerful chorale ensemble, drove energies of supreme beauty across a musical landscape, and also reminded me greatly of composers like Eric Whitacre whilst doing so.

Breyer’s thoughtful piano started the next sojourn through the piece Kyrie Eleison, translated into Latin and meaning Lord Have Mercy, here the artist gives herself to the moment, and manifests a transcendent manifestation of such a high quality, that her symbiotic partnership with the chorale singers and orchestration, brings into being something truly regal and glorious.

Heidi Breyer’s piano performances are always something to dive deep into, as one can find more chapters than thought possible within the cover of the said musical book, here on Domine Jesu Christe we find an imploring musical narrative that is deeply powerful, as is the performance of the pianist herself, whilst then slipping into the almost Gregorian realms of the next offering in Sanctus, I have played with this aspect recently on one of my compositions, I will do more, but here the artist, composer and pianist lights the way with a stylish and crafted work of sheer classical genius.

The midway marker gifts us a piece called Lacrimosa, which I believe means weeping or tearful in Latin. If you ever wished to hear the artists true soul manifest a performance that is literally outwardly, then this would be the arrangement I would point you to, its moving structures and blissful energies raise the roof with its quite breath taking musical narrative along with Breyer’s presentation on piano, could this perhaps be her best ever, and the Coda that concludes the composition is something that is simply sublime.

The haunting quality of Pie Jesu is a delicacy that is beyond beautiful, and shows the sensitivity of the arrangements structure, the strings here were particularly played from the heart to the heart, whilst a smooth transition into the piece Agnus Dei was created with such a tender crafted talented touch, This offering is exceptional, and highlights the chorale performers to a level that it will move you emotionally, Breyer’s soft soothing style here on piano just emphasises her outstanding skill set, as she elevates this piece from its initial serene beginning, into a strong triumphant arrangement.

We now swim in the deeper parts of this universal lake of boundless brilliance, by caressing the next piece entitled Lux Aeterna, this would be one of my personal favourites from the album, the love that pours from this single composition is enough to sustain you for a life time. Breyer’s performance here on this sparkling reverie was one of the warmest, and the overall narrative incredible uplifting, light enteral indeed.

The penultimate track off the album is dedicated to the piece Libera Me, for those of you, who like me, adore stringed instrumentation, this is a must listen, a gaze through the window at a glorious transcendent offering, whilst we can then conclude with the final piece entitled In Paradisum. I feel like this track, when I look out of my window each morning, saying I must be living in paradise. I wondered how it would work for me on my earthly realm, and it was sublime, the lapis ocean danced with the winter winds in a jig of great beauty and intensity, but what a superb way with which to conclude this amazing project by the artist and composer, and absolutely well worth the decade it took to get here.

Amor Aeternus: A Requiem for the Common Man by Heidi Breyer contains so many artists, singers and musicians, it would take around half a page on its own to simply mention them all and their vast contributions, but please, when you buy the album, as I know as listeners of discernible taste you will most certainly will do so, please take a moment to read the cover that contains their names, it is well worth it, and the certainly the respectful thing to do.

Amor Aeternus: A Requiem for the Common Man by Heidi Breyer as you may well guess has to be the artists best work to date, how can it not be, she has taken a subject close to hear heart, she has thought about a reinvention of the human spirit, and taken her sublime skill set to produce one of the most moving and powerful classical works of this modern age, regardless of whether you are religious or not, here is an album that will move you to the very core of your existence.