Voicing: Baritone solo and mixed voice (SATB) choir
Instrumentation: Strings and percussion (1 player - timps, tambourine, antique cymbals, triangle, mark tree)
Duration: 35 minutes
Written in: June 2025
 
A setting, in eight movements, of text from the biblical Book of Lamentations.
 
You are free to print copies of this vocal score for your choir. Should you perform the work you are requested to please donate at least part of any proceeds to support the charity The Israeli Children’s Fund (https://www.israelichildrensfund.org/) which provides financial support to children who lost parents in the October 7th terrorist attack.
 
Ian writes:
"The Book of Lamentations, known in Hebrew as Eikhah is part of the section of the Hebrew Bible called Writings which laments the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem during the 6th century BCE, along with the exile of the tribe of Judah. Authorship of the book is attributed to the prophet Jeremiah.
 
Lamentations is read as part of Synagogue services during the Jewish festival of Tisha B’Av, which commemorates not only the destruction of the Temple, but also other calamities to have befallen the Jewish people over the centuries.
 
This work uses snippets of the text, freely translated into English. I wrote it in June 2025 with the terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7th 2023 very much in the front of my mind. I humbly dedicate it to the victims of that terrible atrocity.
 
Soft copies of the vocal score, full score and performing materials, along with practice tracks for the choir, are available free of charge, and without printing restrictions, to anyone who wishes to perform the work, asking only that some of any money raised goes to support charities helping those affected by the terrorist attacks."