Kol m’kaddesh is a concert setting of one of the z’mirot shel shabbat—the para-liturgical hymns that traditionally are sung collectively at the table before, during, and after the Sabbath meals. This text is usually the first hymn sung following the Sabbath eve dinner, introducing several others that lead into the recitation of the birkat hamazon—the postprandial benedictions and praise for God’s provision, commonly called grace after meals in English-speaking societies. As with all of the z’mirot, this one has dozens of extant musical expressions that have accumulated over time. But unlike most of the other z’mirot, nearly all versions for kol m’kaddesh are chantlike and nonmetrical, whether from eastern or western branches of Ashkenazi tradition.

Leib Glantz’s composition is built upon a traditional Ashkenazi chant archetype for the kol m’kaddesh text, and it also appears to combine elements from different skeletal versions—all embellished cantorially. He has provided contrast with fresh metrical treatment as well.