25th Anniversary Special Edition

SATB + piano (opt. wind ensemble or orchestra)
Basic Library, J.W. Pepper

NOTE FROM THE COMPOSER

Welcome to the 25th Anniversary Edition of LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH, replete with comments in the score itself and new dynamic and some tempi markings. (The former score notes/rhythms are the same, but don’t have the commentary.) This is a study of universal human emotions. Suffering, anger, self-pity, frustration – to a greater or lesser degree – is common to all human beings. This work captures five very different, but intertwined emotions: feeling grief-stricken (opening “moans” as Jeremiah is collapsed in rubble of destroyed Jerusalem); striking out in anger at those who pass by (“o vos omnes”); completely consumed in self-pity (“Si est dolor”); enraged/pleading to perceived abandonment (“recordare Domine”); and the inability to effectively face waves of overwhelming circumstances (final section – “Recordare! O vos omnes! O Domine!…).

This epic work is offered in three different accompaniment options:  piano, wind ensemble, or orchestra (parts available from the publisher).

Lamentations of Jeremiah, one of Randall’s five most performed works, was commissioned by the Texas Choral Directors Association.