lamentation - for string orchestra
Douglas Knehans
About this work:
Lamentation is a simple work for string orchestra written in response to the 2004 siege in a schoolhouse in the little town of Beslan that resulted in the tragic murder of hundreds of innocent children. The force the event had on me outstripped even the tremendous tragedy of the event itself and brought up questions of perseverance in the face of such evil acts – the purity and optimism of young children on their first day of school being shattered so violently and senselessly. Lamentation then becomes a lament for those innocent victims and also a work of mourning for yet another layer of our humanity being violently destroyed along with the hope of those young lives.
Year composed: 2004
Duration: 00:10:00
Ensemble type: Orchestra
Instrumentation: 22 Violin, 8 Viola, 6 Cello, 4 Double bass
Instrumentation notes: 12;10;8;6;4