Eric Whitacre is one of the most interesting musicians alive. He also does some sacred pieces. His best known is probably [i]When David Heard[/i] – a powerful piece about grief with very simple lyrics taken from II Samuel 18:33:
When David heard that Absalom was slain he went up into his chamber over the gate and wept, my son, my son, O Absalom my son, would God I had died for thee!
See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nydD17m6Tn8
Whitacre was aware that this verse had frequently been set by composers for mourning the loss of a son – Thomas Tomkins’s setting was the best-known, though in fact it was barely known outside of specialist circles. Since Whitacre’s piece, quite a few other composers have created settings of this piece.
Not being fond of tone clusters and unresolved dissonances, I’m not especially a fan of this piece. But, the way in which it was produced is intriguing. A Tallis “Spem in Alium,” some Messiah choruses, perhaps. Or, a Mahler 8th…
Eric Whitacre is one of the most interesting musicians alive. He also does some sacred pieces. His best known is probably [i]When David Heard[/i] – a powerful piece about grief with very simple lyrics taken from II Samuel 18:33:
When David heard that Absalom was slain he went up into his chamber over the gate and wept, my son, my son, O Absalom my son, would God I had died for thee!
See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nydD17m6Tn8
Whitacre was aware that this verse had frequently been set by composers for mourning the loss of a son – Thomas Tomkins’s setting was the best-known, though in fact it was barely known outside of specialist circles. Since Whitacre’s piece, quite a few other composers have created settings of this piece.
See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nydD17m6Tn8 for a recording of this piece (with sheetmusic).
Not being fond of tone clusters and unresolved dissonances, I’m not especially a fan of this piece. But, the way in which it was produced is intriguing. A Tallis “Spem in Alium,” some Messiah choruses, perhaps. Or, a Mahler 8th…