Jeffrey Rathbun

It is unusual for a composer to say this about one of his works, but this is a piece I wish I had never written, or rather, never had the reason to write. Not long after Lisa Pruett's death (Lisa was a friend of mine from church), I started getting ideas for Threnody. For months I played these developing ideas on the piano, and finally in the spring of 1991 I began to actually write down the notes. When my friend and orchestra colleague Tony Knight passed away in March of 1991, I felt strongly about dedicating Threnody to his memory also.

Threnody begins with a somber statement by the piano. By the time the oboe enters, much of the piece's melodic and harmonic ideas have been introduced. The mood of Threnody is often somber, as well as anguished and even angry. About halfway through, the piano starts a nostalgic section in B major. This more peaceful material alternates with the tragic themes for much of the rest of the composition. After a short oboe cadenza, the piano plays the opening harmonies once more before the final, peaceful resolution to B major.

The dictionary defines threnody as "a poem, speech, or song of lamentation, especially for the dead." And while my Threnody has its share of sorrow, I wrote it so that I would never forget the good qualities, the happy memories of those we have lost.

Jeffrey Rathbun
1996

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