Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah is a work that represents a mourning state for Mankind. The text, written in the 6th Century B.C., depicts a time of sorrow and crisis, when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Chaldeans. The poem represents a state of humiliation, loss of national identity, and suffering. At the same time, it also brings hope to the people, as their faith helps them survive these terrible times.
For this work, the composer has used six out of the twenty-two verses of the first chapter of the Book of Lamentations. The work focuses on the imperfection of Man, as well as His potential for surviving critical times through faith and spiritual reflection. Scored for soprano and string quartet, the music uses both Hebrew and English versions of the text, representing past and present in Mankind’s journey.