Soliloquy for Viola No. 8: "Threnody for the Victims of the Israeli Genocides of Gaza (7/10/2023-) and Lebanon (23/9/2024-)"

This is my "Soliloquy for Viola No. 8, subtitled "Threnody for the Victims of the Israeli Genocides of Gaza (7/10/2023-) and Lebanon (23/9/2024-)". As many of you know, the soliloquy is one of my favourite forms. For me a soliloquy is a short, reflective, often calm and sometimes sad composition. At the time of its composition this was my 181st soliloquy. It is unique in being a "Threnody for the Victims of the Israeli Genocides of Gaza (7/10/2023-) and Lebanon (23/9/2024-)", genocides that have continued (albeit at a lower intensity) despite "ceasefires" (if you can call the cessation of genocide a "ceasefire) in effect from November 27, 2024 (for Lebanon) and from January 15, 2025 (for Gaza), genocides mercilessly targeting and killing thousands of men, women, and children, whole families, health workers, and journalists (the latest figures of the number of victims estimate more than 6,000 for Lebanon and 48,453 for Gaza*), and destroying thousands of buildings, churches, mosques, schools, universities, and hospitals. As a Lebanese experiencing one of these genocides, this piece constitutes my musical sorrow and outrage at the injustice and suffering its victims experienced and continue to experience.

*These figures are from the time of this writing, on March 9, 2025. For sources, see the following:

https://x.com/ObserveLebanon/status/1896041783877914893
https://sharjah24.ae/en/Articles/2025/03/09/ZX66

Here's the link to my previous soliloquy for viola:

https://www.youngcomposers.com/t36334/soliloquy-for-viola-no-7/

luderart, well done.

Good, memorable melody lines and overall sound. I like the double stops near the end.

I would have liked it to go on a bit longer. Maybe a second theme added and the two combined later on?

I wonder if a few more bow markings are needed in the score to help the viola, or if you mean for there to be this few? I also wonder if you want to add a few dynamic markings? Should the piece start forte or piano?

The last measure to me sounded a bit too playful for the tone of the rest of the piece. I'm not sure why yet or what I would like to hear instead. And I like the pizzicato. It may because it sounds so final? Maybe not octave G's but a Bb and G instead? Or maybe not even a Gm harmony but G and Eb or something that doesn't give the listener such repose and finality.

Again, well done!

Thank you NickReh for your review, your appreciation of the piece and your suggestions of alternatives. I appreciate it.