Lacrimosa ("...there we sat down, yea, we wept...")
Band / Grade 2.5-3 / ca. 4:35 / (2020) / Reflectively q= 68
$75.00
(Conductor Scores are available as print only. A Master Set of Parts is available as Print or PDF with permission to print as many parts as needed. There is no tax applied to PDF parts.)
Indian Creek, Yellowstone (Photo by Stephen Hill)
Program Notes
​
Lacrimosa - (Latin for weeping, tearful, used in the Requiem Mass)
“By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.” (Psalm 137:1,2)
​
In life, there are certainly moments of great joy. Yet, by contrast, there are also accompanying moments of sorrow. In moments of joy and sorrow, we find the lessons that can help us grow stronger in faith, hope, and love and meet the challenges that will come our way.
​
The text recalls William Walton’s usage in “Belshazzar's Feast” and in W. Francis McBeth’s “They Hung Their Harps in the Willows”.
​
Written over two late evenings of August 28-29, 2020, Lacrimosa, is meant to be an expressive, emotional, harmonically, and orchestrally colorful piece within a limited Grade 2/3 scope regarding instrument ranges and carefully written passages for easier fingerings.
​
Comments on the Music
​
"A great selection to work on beautiful tone, blend, and balance. Nice!" Doug Nordquist (Band Director, California High School)
​
"Beautiful and dramatic, Stephen." Craig Jordan (Band and Orchestra Director - Hutchison Middle School).
​
Instrumentation
Flute 1-2
Oboe
Bb Clarinet 1-2
Bb Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
EbAlto Saxophone 1-2
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Eb Baritone Saxophone
Bb Trumpet 1-2
Horn in F
Trombone 1-2
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion - (B.D., Cymbals, Gong, Wind Chimes)
Mallets - (Vibraphone, Glockenspiel, Marimba, Chimes)