Posted November 8, 2024
Lamentation recording released, reviewed
Jacob and pianist Paul Lee recorded a little-known gem from the history of the American viola repertoire: Jeanne Behrend’s Lamentation for Viola and Piano, written in 1944 in memory of her cousin, killed serving in the US Army in World War II. The piece is beautifully written to showcase the dark intensity of the viola timbre – it moves from mourning to anguished eruption to resignation in an emotionally wrenching piece. The work was recorded as part of the AVS Presents: Underrepresented Composers album release, and Jacob and Paul’s recording was favorably reviewed by Carlos Maria Solare in the Strad.