Aecha is the Hebrew title of the book of Lamentations, which is chanted on the Jewish fast day of T'isha b'Av to commemorate the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The first section of the composition uses melodic motives from this mournful chant, which carries the weight of centuries of sorrow and laments the brokenness of the world. The second section is a prayer that enters the quiet space of holiness. The melody draws on part of the Rosh Hashana prayer Avinu malkeinu ("Our Father, our King"), and begs for an answer from the overwhelming despair. The answer comes in the thirds section, as the music gradually moves into a dance of redemption and is transformed into an ecstatic Hasidic melody.
Title: Aecha (Lamentations) for Violin, Cello and Piano, By Meira Warshauer, Published by Oxford University Press, Item number: 66854
