Score
Lamentations of Jeremiah : the traditional English text set for SATB soli and a cappella SSAATBB chorus / by Ralph Middenway.
Library shelf no. 782.55524/MID 1 [Available for loan]
Work Overview
The traditional (English) text for musical settings of the Lamentations (as set by Thomas Tallis in Latin, or François Couperin in French) consists of an Incipit, the verses Aleph and Beth, an Exhortation, the verses Gimel, Daleth and Heth, an Invocation, and the Exhortation again.
The message is tragic, but the Exhortation offers the possibility of relief.
The text is disturbing, in the same way that the history of European Jews in the last century is disturbing - and of Greeks and Kurds in Turkey, Turks and Armenians in Greece, Palestinians, Kurds in Iraq, Sunni in Alawi Syria, Christians everywhere.
The music aims to reflect the tragedy and the possibillity of relief.
Work Details
Year: 1990
Instrumentation: SSAATBB a cappella.
Duration: 16 min.
Difficulty: Advanced — Requires an experienced chamber choir and conductor
Contents note: Incipit -- Aleph -- Beth -- Gimel -- Daleth -- Heth -- O vos omnes.
Commission note: Commissioned in 1989 by Corinthian Singers, Adelaide
First performance: by Corinthian Singers of Adelaide, Timothy Sexton — 1990. St Francis Xavier's Cathedral, Adelaide
The Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth and Heth settings use Middle Eastern scales. The verses, Invocation and Exhortation are chromatic; individual lines suggest but seldom display strict tonality; neither can the music overall be said to be clearly atonal. The style is difficult, but it works.
Subjects
- In the form/style of: Easter Music
Performances of this work
Unknown date: featuring Sydney Philharmonia Chamber Singers, Antony Walker.
1993: featuring Intervarsity Choir, Timothy Sexton.
1990: St Francis Xavier's Cathedral, Adelaide. Featuring Corinthian Singers of Adelaide, Timothy Sexton.
User reviews
Be the first to share your thoughts, opinions and insights about this work.
To post a comment please login.