Treny (1993) for Baritone and Piano

Program Notes

Lament I
Lament II
Lament III
Lament V

     The Polish Renaissance poet Jan Kochanowski wrote 19 laments after the death of his three year old daughter Ursula.  These threnodies (Treny) evoke images of classical antiquity as well as embody a wholesome ideal of life in the spirit of touching humanism.  The conflict between Christian humanism and pagan wisdom pervades the cycle as the father searches for reason and consolance from his grief. Laments I, II, III, and V constitute the song-cycle.