Capolavoro scritto per un coro di angeli, usato per alleviare il dolore di anime tormentate e ansiose. Questa musica, scritta più di 500 anni fa, credo sia una potente cura per ansia schizoide e ogni altro malessere caratteriale, esistenziale e psicologico, SOPRATTUTTO in questi tempi confusi e bellicosi !!!!!!!!!!!!!
The story is, Absalom's sister Tamar was rapped by her brother Amnon. Absalom was so infuriated he killed Amnon. Absalom then fled. He was brought back to Jerusalem by the king. But he didnt actually see him until three years after he returned. Then Absalom began to be loved by the people and soon all of Israel was behind him and he went to attack Jerusalem and take the crown. During the battle Absalom was killed. The the servant ran and told David and then he wept. 2 Samuel chapters 13-17.
Absolem's rebellion and death was a result of David's sin. So was the death of the baby and the rape of daughter by her brother. God promised that the sword would never leave David's house.
The story behind this is that David had an 'affair' with Bathesheba earlier in his life and he also sent her husband to his death so he could marry her. This was his one main transgression in a long and good life. So God sent a prophet Nathan to him and to cut a long story short, Jehovah 's (not the Christ God) punishment for David was that his sons' would revolt against him. So when Absolem was killed he was distraught because he was the cause of his own eldest and beloved son's death.
No, that's not the story. The baby who dies as a result of David's sin is unnamed.
Absalom was David's grown son, who was in war with David. When Absalom, who literally was David's enemy, was killed in battle, instead of rejoicing that his enemy was slain, David wept because his son was killed. 1 Samuel 18.
@MinorKeys88 hi there. I think the story goes that Nathan the prophet tells David that God is going to punish all of Israel for David's sin - causing the death of Bathesheba's husband. David pleads with God to put the punishment on him, whihc God accepts. David is told his own sons will rebel against him. When Absolum, his eldest beloved son, dies David knows it is his (David's ) own fault. This is therefore why he has always forgiven Absolum.. until killed by a general against David's orders.
They sit detached in protected luxury sending our fathers, sons, mothers daughters, nieces and nephews to their deaths. They argue the morality of their decision but never witness the agony of dying from wounds or experience the helplessness of watching a child die from wounds. But the blood of the innocent is on their hands and this will not be forgotten for eternity. I truely believe that!
...............wow. Never before has a simple piece of music moved me like this. It takes a lot for me to shed a tear, but this song...I couldn't hold back, especially since I lost a close friend in the war. If only all the nations of the world would see this video, maybe we could set aside our differences.
Matrix - you may also be moved by the setting by Eric Whitacre. And he's still alive! If you 're a musician I think you can't help but be moved bt it.
I sang this at a summer institute with the Tallis Scholars...
and I saw this video. Let me tell you, this reminds us that we're all human, no matter where we live, what we believe in, or what color we are. we all feel pain, mourning, loss.
But what did he say? I don't think the lyrics made it clear.
(I had to do this as a first soprano. That awful "o my son" entrance was, to me, nowhere near as bad as that first "he went up to his chamBER", for some reason. I think it's because I was never expecting the chord.)
Visiomusicum, your videos and choice of music is exquisite; you also have a good ear, because every performance is gorgeous beyond words. One caveat: I would really like to know the names of the performers you select for your videos; they are superb. The performance here is magnificent beyond words.
The performance is by The Cambridge Singers conducted by John Rutter. You can find it, together with other beautiful music, on the CD "Hail Gladdening Light" on the Collegium Record label. COLCD 113
the whitacre is almost disturbing it is so poignant. This piece is a more melodic and almost pretty take on it. Still haunting, but not, to me at least, as moving as the whitacre.
Please everyone listen to Whitacre's "When David Heard". it will make you ball your eyes out. it's disturbingly powerful. not to say that this isn't as gorgeous, i think renaissance and deep classical music like this is so flowing and beautiful, but Whitacre's take on this story is certainly amazing.
Too right! I've sung the Whitacre "When David Heard" with NYCoS many times and I was deeply moved every time. The first time we did the huge climax on "my son, my son, Absalom" one of our vocal coaches burst into tears and had to leave the room!
that's amazing. I'm only an 18 year old kid studying music in college, but the first time i really listened to the music and followed the music i felt like i had lost the son i never had... It's amazing what music can do. I'm very excited to sing it under the baton of Whitacre himself at the big Eric Whitacre extravaganza in Minneapolis this march. On his website he states that he has a hard time listening to the recording of his own piece because it makes him so emotional!
That's really cool! I'm studying at the Royal Academy in Scotland. Isn't it amazing how the same music can touch people from all over the world? I do a lot of youth work and this song really spoke to me although I have never lost a son. That's the amazing thing about music at (literally) speaks louder than words alone!
what a lovely recording of a beautiful piece of music. I have sung this many times with my choir and always enjoy singing/listening to it as though it were the first time. Thank you
I first heard this piece on the radio in 1977. I never new the name of the work or what it was about but instantly moved by it. I had a tape recording of the last 4 minutes. Listened to it every night at bedtime until I accidently recorded over it. About three months ago, while driving home, I heard it again on the radio as performed by the Cambridge Singers. The inner males voices seem to project directly from the heart drenched with melancholy. The female voices at times soar.
Inspired music. I don't know who took the photographs or in what circumstances they were taken, but they struck me as heartless intrusions on people's private grief. I found them profane.
As far as I can remember, they are all from news coverage. Either photo or TV. Do we really need to see all this? Or should we pretend it hasn't happened?
I'm afraid I have to agree with kkallebb. The pictures politicize the music and take it out of its intended context. However, I see your point in linking the sacrificing of our children in the name of war with this music as a catharsis for the horrors of war.
What an incredible visual accompaniment to this most poignant and beautiful motet. As well as I know this piece (conducted it a year ago), your choice of images took me to a new level of appreciation. Thank you, VisioMusicum, from the bottom of my heart.
I think it's the one Eric Whitacare arranged, but i couldn't swear on it. I heard the UYC do it live, and it was truly amazing. The video is v. good tho.
There are two other arrangements, one by William Billings which uses conventional harmony with definite word painting, and the version by Eric Whitacre which uses contemporary harmony (tone clusters) and goes even further to reflect the moods of the text.
Honestly, I don't even care about the pictures... I just change tabs and listen to the beautiful music. What an exquisite piece.
togocure 4 months ago in playlist Favorite Orchestral Music
This is so beautiful......
serenitysky18 5 months ago
This is so beautiful......
serenitysky18 5 months ago
beautiful
dwollen76 7 months ago
Capolavoro scritto per un coro di angeli, usato per alleviare il dolore di anime tormentate e ansiose. Questa musica, scritta più di 500 anni fa, credo sia una potente cura per ansia schizoide e ogni altro malessere caratteriale, esistenziale e psicologico, SOPRATTUTTO in questi tempi confusi e bellicosi !!!!!!!!!!!!!
darkblueangel1956 8 months ago
Absalom is my son.....and David did weep......to be human is to be human......it is that time.
rbinfo 1 year ago
The story is, Absalom's sister Tamar was rapped by her brother Amnon. Absalom was so infuriated he killed Amnon. Absalom then fled. He was brought back to Jerusalem by the king. But he didnt actually see him until three years after he returned. Then Absalom began to be loved by the people and soon all of Israel was behind him and he went to attack Jerusalem and take the crown. During the battle Absalom was killed. The the servant ran and told David and then he wept. 2 Samuel chapters 13-17.
lydiajack3 1 year ago
@lydiajack3 You've got the story right, but...rapped...lol
rkt739 1 year ago
Very Beautiful - I am new to Thomas Tomkins after stumbling upon his grave in a Hamlet in the West Midlands - I have been very moved. Wonderful.
CharlotteElizabethUK 1 year ago
Absolem's rebellion and death was a result of David's sin. So was the death of the baby and the rape of daughter by her brother. God promised that the sword would never leave David's house.
shefmike05 1 year ago
Beautiful. "Jesus wept."
If Christ can weep, then surely so can we...
arbiskup 1 year ago
Like Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" or Arvo Pärt's "Für Lennart In Memoriam". Beyond words. Way beyond words.
hermangre 2 years ago
The story behind this is that David had an 'affair' with Bathesheba earlier in his life and he also sent her husband to his death so he could marry her. This was his one main transgression in a long and good life. So God sent a prophet Nathan to him and to cut a long story short, Jehovah 's (not the Christ God) punishment for David was that his sons' would revolt against him. So when Absolem was killed he was distraught because he was the cause of his own eldest and beloved son's death.
flowforms 2 years ago
No, that's not the story. The baby who dies as a result of David's sin is unnamed.
Absalom was David's grown son, who was in war with David. When Absalom, who literally was David's enemy, was killed in battle, instead of rejoicing that his enemy was slain, David wept because his son was killed. 1 Samuel 18.
MinorKeys88 2 years ago
@MinorKeys88 hi there. I think the story goes that Nathan the prophet tells David that God is going to punish all of Israel for David's sin - causing the death of Bathesheba's husband. David pleads with God to put the punishment on him, whihc God accepts. David is told his own sons will rebel against him. When Absolum, his eldest beloved son, dies David knows it is his (David's ) own fault. This is therefore why he has always forgiven Absolum.. until killed by a general against David's orders.
flowforms 1 year ago
They sit detached in protected luxury sending our fathers, sons, mothers daughters, nieces and nephews to their deaths. They argue the morality of their decision but never witness the agony of dying from wounds or experience the helplessness of watching a child die from wounds. But the blood of the innocent is on their hands and this will not be forgotten for eternity. I truely believe that!
pipeup1 2 years ago
"Would God I had died for him."
Beautiful.
sageSPH 2 years ago
...............wow. Never before has a simple piece of music moved me like this. It takes a lot for me to shed a tear, but this song...I couldn't hold back, especially since I lost a close friend in the war. If only all the nations of the world would see this video, maybe we could set aside our differences.
matrix86 2 years ago
Matrix - you may also be moved by the setting by Eric Whitacre. And he's still alive! If you 're a musician I think you can't help but be moved bt it.
eztobeme 2 years ago
yeah, i'm a big EW fan...which is odd considering I have yet to hear his arrangement of this song, lol.
matrix86 2 years ago
Comment removed
eztobeme 2 years ago
This version is by the Cambridge Singers, directed by John Rutter.
busychild424 2 years ago
the picture at 3:16 catches my attention.
The N.I.
norseindian 2 years ago
I sang this at a summer institute with the Tallis Scholars...
and I saw this video. Let me tell you, this reminds us that we're all human, no matter where we live, what we believe in, or what color we are. we all feel pain, mourning, loss.
Very powerful stuff.
gonzotheblithe 2 years ago 7
But what did he say? I don't think the lyrics made it clear.
(I had to do this as a first soprano. That awful "o my son" entrance was, to me, nowhere near as bad as that first "he went up to his chamBER", for some reason. I think it's because I was never expecting the chord.)
candidnt 2 years ago
Thanks for the critique, Ms. Know-It-All
drumno5 2 years ago
Sad and powerful. We're singing this in HS.
G0d0fHope 2 years ago
The music is moving - then I paid attention to the images - tears come freely.
lichtbroeder 3 years ago
beautiful.
Found this because "Absalom my son" was a clue in last Wed's NY Times crossword.
Shamborn 3 years ago 6
Visiomusicum, your videos and choice of music is exquisite; you also have a good ear, because every performance is gorgeous beyond words. One caveat: I would really like to know the names of the performers you select for your videos; they are superb. The performance here is magnificent beyond words.
billyguns2 3 years ago 3
The performance is by The Cambridge Singers conducted by John Rutter. You can find it, together with other beautiful music, on the CD "Hail Gladdening Light" on the Collegium Record label. COLCD 113
VisioMusicum 3 years ago
My personal favorite from that one is still Hymn for the Dormition of the Mother of God. I love Tavener.
I'm not even that religious, but what does it matter? Good music is powerful, regardless of whether you see factual truth in the text or not.
Thanks for posting. Nice to be reassured that people still listen to good music.
BenMcCormack91 3 years ago
the whitacre is almost disturbing it is so poignant. This piece is a more melodic and almost pretty take on it. Still haunting, but not, to me at least, as moving as the whitacre.
bama1091 3 years ago
I get chills everytime I hear "My Son, Absalom" in unison. Tremendous and amazing piece.
AznBaller4Life 3 years ago
a powerful song with a powerful message deliverd through a powerful video
HippoMafia 3 years ago
Fuck, this song rules. ^_^
JohnPetrucciness 3 years ago
i agree on the comment about eric whitacre. his take on this is AMAZING.
xjessiexstarsx 3 years ago 2
Please everyone listen to Whitacre's "When David Heard". it will make you ball your eyes out. it's disturbingly powerful. not to say that this isn't as gorgeous, i think renaissance and deep classical music like this is so flowing and beautiful, but Whitacre's take on this story is certainly amazing.
pianomatteo 3 years ago 3
Too right! I've sung the Whitacre "When David Heard" with NYCoS many times and I was deeply moved every time. The first time we did the huge climax on "my son, my son, Absalom" one of our vocal coaches burst into tears and had to leave the room!
MattheTenor 3 years ago 3
that's amazing. I'm only an 18 year old kid studying music in college, but the first time i really listened to the music and followed the music i felt like i had lost the son i never had... It's amazing what music can do. I'm very excited to sing it under the baton of Whitacre himself at the big Eric Whitacre extravaganza in Minneapolis this march. On his website he states that he has a hard time listening to the recording of his own piece because it makes him so emotional!
pianomatteo 3 years ago 3
That's really cool! I'm studying at the Royal Academy in Scotland. Isn't it amazing how the same music can touch people from all over the world? I do a lot of youth work and this song really spoke to me although I have never lost a son. That's the amazing thing about music at (literally) speaks louder than words alone!
MattheTenor 3 years ago 3
My chamber choir totally did this song. I really like this interpretation and style the choir did in this version. Cool video too. =)
DonMario112358 3 years ago
what a lovely recording of a beautiful piece of music. I have sung this many times with my choir and always enjoy singing/listening to it as though it were the first time. Thank you
lizzhealey 3 years ago
I first heard this piece on the radio in 1977. I never new the name of the work or what it was about but instantly moved by it. I had a tape recording of the last 4 minutes. Listened to it every night at bedtime until I accidently recorded over it. About three months ago, while driving home, I heard it again on the radio as performed by the Cambridge Singers. The inner males voices seem to project directly from the heart drenched with melancholy. The female voices at times soar.
ThrillDoc 3 years ago
very moving
apollo816 4 years ago
Inspired music. I don't know who took the photographs or in what circumstances they were taken, but they struck me as heartless intrusions on people's private grief. I found them profane.
kkallebb 4 years ago
As far as I can remember, they are all from news coverage. Either photo or TV. Do we really need to see all this? Or should we pretend it hasn't happened?
VisioMusicum 4 years ago 5
@VisioMusicum
I'm afraid I have to agree with kkallebb. The pictures politicize the music and take it out of its intended context. However, I see your point in linking the sacrificing of our children in the name of war with this music as a catharsis for the horrors of war.
petrina1022 1 year ago
What an incredible visual accompaniment to this most poignant and beautiful motet. As well as I know this piece (conducted it a year ago), your choice of images took me to a new level of appreciation. Thank you, VisioMusicum, from the bottom of my heart.
paxxop 4 years ago
How does Rutter forgive himself for writing the music he does, when he performs music like this so well?
NihilNominis 4 years ago
2 Samuel 18: 33
Jezraelmtz 4 years ago
so moving, so beautiful....from the Hail Gladdening Light cd, Rutter's Cambridge Singers....thank you for posting....
songblam 4 years ago
how awful this world is, but how beautiful I hope God is, in that we are saved through him.
bigassballsyes 4 years ago
I like the moodier version of the song. I think it had more character
personalidentifier 4 years ago
Which (whose?) version is that. This one is by The Cambridge Singers.
VisioMusicum 4 years ago
I think it's the one Eric Whitacare arranged, but i couldn't swear on it. I heard the UYC do it live, and it was truly amazing. The video is v. good tho.
personalidentifier 4 years ago
There are two other arrangements, one by William Billings which uses conventional harmony with definite word painting, and the version by Eric Whitacre which uses contemporary harmony (tone clusters) and goes even further to reflect the moods of the text.
Briznanoth 4 years ago