Elin Lantz Lesser

Preus' The War Requiem takes a thoughtful dive into three different worlds in time and space. Through historical research and thoughtful storytelling, this book weaves these worlds together to inject new energy into a revered piece of music. It juxtaposes themes of death, destruction, and emptiness with the vitality that art can create. As I read the book, I could almost feel the vibration of the music coming from the pages. And I could relate to the author's experience of learning the music - long and challenging, yet fleeting and so quickly a part of the past. It also captures that unyielding way music lives on, even after we leave it behind. Anyone who's made or listened to music can enjoy and learn something from this book. The War Requiem, in my opinion, functions as a metaphor for how any of us can approach life. Highly recommend.