Lamentations of Jeremiah, composition by Z. Randall Stroope for 4-part mixed choir:
The composer chose this text because of its "human" character. Suffering, to a greater or lesser degree, is common to all human beings.
The present setting of these laments seeks to capture the full range of emotions that Jeremiah must have felt, overwhelmed with pain, alone, ready to cry out, sobbing uncontrollably, and torn between his faith and his circumstances.
Indeed, the composer sought to root the listener's feet firmly "in the ground" of life and make him feel sadness in one breath and love in the next.
The choruses must communicate this range of juxtaposed passions to the listeners, who will understand and know many of these feelings all too well.
The piece ends with a sudden sense of confidence and power unleashed in one's Lord ("Domine") and the strength of that relationship in difficult times.
About the composer:
Z. Randall Stroope is an American composer and conductor.
His compositions are frequently heard on Internet media, television broadcasts, and NPR radio, as well as on programs of esteemed ensembles around the world.
Randall has composed over 180 works, having studied with Cecil Effinger and Normand Lockwood - both students of the renowned French teacher, Nadia Boulanger.
He is the artistic director of two summer music festivals in Europe, has conducted at Carnegie Hall (New York) annually since 2001, and is a university professor.
Minimum delivery time 2 to 3 weeks.
