First Prize Winner of the 2015 California Voices II choral competition, this is an artistic rendering worth consideration. Using a German text by Hermann von Gilm zu Rosenegg, composer Matthew Swartz gives us an expression that is both 19th century romantic and undeniably 21st century as well. The art song from the age of Schubert is transformed into a choral statement that does not deny its roots. A beautiful and expressive piece.