Israel’s Lament is a deeply expressive setting of Psalm 137 for high vocal solo and piano by American composer Ejnar Krantz (1915–2007). Drawing from one of the most emotionally powerful texts in the Psalms, Krantz captures the grief, longing, and spiritual anguish of the Israelites during their exile in Babylon. The famous line, “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” becomes the emotional centerpiece of this moving work, giving singers the opportunity to explore themes of loss, memory, faith, and identity through dramatic musical storytelling.

Krantz, an accomplished concert pianist, organist, and composer, wrote with a sophisticated understanding of both the voice and piano. His compositional language reflects the depth and craftsmanship of a highly trained American classical musician shaped by the great Romantic piano tradition. Having studied with the renowned pianist and conductor Rudolph Ganz in Chicago, Krantz developed a rich harmonic style that balances lyricism, emotional intensity, and pianistic color.

The pairing of high solo voice and piano gives Israel’s Lament an especially intimate and compelling character. The soaring vocal lines allow the singer to move from moments of quiet lament to passionate declarations, while the piano accompaniment functions as far more than simple support. The keyboard writing creates atmosphere, tension, and emotional depth, almost serving as a second voice in dialogue with the singer. Together, the two performers shape a dramatic sacred concert work that feels both timeless and deeply personal.

Ideal for sacred recitals, university voice programs, worship concerts, or advanced solo repertoire, Israel’s Lament stands as an example of American sacred art song composition at a remarkably high level. Duration: approximately 5:00.

About The Composer Ejnar Krantz

Ejnar Krantz (1915–2007) was an American concert pianist, organist, teacher, and composer whose life reflected both extraordinary musical discipline and deep artistic curiosity. Born near Mears, Michigan, to Swedish immigrant parents, Krantz grew up on a rural farm in Oceana County during a time when music was often centered around family, church, and community gatherings. His earliest musical experiences included playing the mouth-organ and accordion before discovering a lifelong passion for the piano.

As a child, Krantz worked picking cucumbers to help pay for a used player piano, an instrument that became central to his musical development. His remarkable talent soon led to formal piano and organ studies, eventually bringing him from rural Michigan to Chicago in 1933 to attend Sherwood Music School on scholarship. Later, he studied piano with the internationally respected pianist and conductor Rudolph Ganz at the Chicago Musical College, where he also studied composition with Max Wald and earned his Master of Music degree.

Krantz performed widely throughout the United States and Canada as both accompanist and soloist, eventually making appearances at New York’s Town Hall and Carnegie Hall. He also toured internationally, including a formal debut in Stockholm, Sweden, followed by a three-month concert tour.

In addition to his performance career, Dr. Krantz served churches across several denominations as organist and choir director while teaching piano, music history, and languages. He held teaching positions at several colleges and later became an adjunct professor at Indiana University South Bend, where he taught for more than twenty years.

A gifted composer, Krantz wrote music for piano, organ, choir, and voice. His compositions continue to be published and performed today, reflecting a lifetime devoted to classical music, sacred traditions, and musical excellence.