“Mourning can be both private and public. When we visit a grave or observe the anniversary of a person’s death, we generally do so in private. Yizkor (which is Hebrew for “Remember”) is a prayer for the public observance for the community of bereaved. I had written a one movement piece for cello solo by that name in 2001 after the horrific events of 9/11. The cello is the solo voice that cries, the solo voice that is heard no more.”

“In 2009 I felt that the piece needed more, so I added two movements as further amplification of that feeling. These second and third movements of Yizkor reflect the afterthought, or aftershock, that follows an emotional loss. The second movement depicts the frantic and frenetic feeling that follows such a shock. That is why I used a figure of two sixteenth notes at the beginning of every measure. The third movement has a descending legato melodic mirroring an ascending line in the first movement. This last movement is the afterthought, and the solemn feeling we have when remembering.”

“With my background in composition combined with film scoring, I tend to see music more as an underscore, be it to a film, or to our lives. From my perspective as a songwriter I also feel strongly about the human voice and the power of song.” – Ayala Asherov