Musical settings of the Requiem Mass have a long and distinguished history in Western music, and many composers have been inspired by its ancient Latin text to write their most profound musical utterances. The tradition of setting a fixed text as a memorial to a recently deceased person was not actually codified until the Council of Trent (1545-63). The great Roman church settings are certainly those of Mozart and Verdi. Lesser known are those of de la Lande, Berlioz (Grande Messe des Morts), Cherubini (which setting Beethoven preferred to Mozart’s), Bruckner and Dvorak. Other works have featured parts of the Catholic service text, with texts usually derived from scripture, and not necessarily in Latin. Important settings of this type include those by Schuetz, Brahms and Liszt.

The present REQUIEM, scored for chorus, soloists, full orchestra and organ, is Anthony Newman's stunning composition of the ancient Latin mass for the dead. One of Anthony Newman's most profound and instantly accessible works, its spiritual message of peace and transcendence will have instant appeal to Classical, religious and contemporary music audiences. It is one of the rare Requiem settings by a major contemporary American composer. The recording features the same soloists and ensemble which gave the work's historic premiere in October 2000, in New York City.