lament

2016-17: DeLand, Florida

ca. 7 minutes

Clarinet Choir

Written for and premiered by the Stetson University Clarinet Choir at Stetson University in April 2017.

Dedicated to the memory and musical legacy of Lewis and Geraldine Schmidt

This piece reworks material from an earlier work of mine, Oh Me! Oh Life! in an attempt to evoke different emotions; essentially ending the piece as differently as possible from the original. During the writing process, my clarinet professor's parents passed away suddenly. This was an event the affected the whole studio in one way or another. I felt I needed to do something in response to this loss, but as a student there was not much I could really do. Ultimately I dedicated this piece to their memory and toned back the ending a little. Instead, hoping to create a feeling of grief and sorrow that ultimately gives way to bitter acceptance. 

Lament was originally premiered with a minimal ensemble at my undergraduate senior recital, and later that semester with the full choir.

The score is available here.