Eikhah
​for two singers playing ukuleles, spoken chorus, and ensemble (2019, 10 min.)

​performers
Gabrielle Herbst & Tanner Porter – voices and ukuleles
Russell Fisher – percussion
Héloïse Carlean-Jones – harp
Miles Walter – piano
Harry Doernberg – cello
Eric Timperman – bass
Ryan Lindveit – conductor
Choir: Anteo Fabris, Michael Gancz, Nate Huvard, Nate May, Paul Mortilla, Peter Shin
​

note
In Hebrew, the biblical Book of Lamentations begins with the exclamation "Eikhah!" Frequently translated into English as "alas," the word's true meaning is closer to "how," or "why." Regardless, the word represents an existential question which is posed to God during the destruction of ancient Jerusalem and the banishment of the Hebrew people from their homeland. In this piece, the word "Eikhah" is exclaimed by a chorus of male voices who represent the corrupt priests and politicians of ancient Jerusalem, in the hopes that God will provide an answer to their misery. In the Book of Lamentations, God never answers the people's cries, but here, God – represented by two female voices – does respond. However, God's response is a sardonic and blithe Yiddish proverb, and he jeers at the chorus in an almost playful way. Unsatisfied with God's answer, the chorus persists, but God continues to answer with his biting words. Ultimately, God stops his song with a tongue-in-cheek impatience, leaving the chorus crying out to no avail, but somehow eternally chained to their question, "Eikhah​."