Eric Whitacre: "When David Heard" performed by BYU Singers

I absolutely LOVE this recording of this song. And Eric Whitacre is a freakin' GENIUS!!!

Text is from II Samuel 18:33

When David heard that Absalom was slain, he went up into his chamber over the gate and wept, and thus he said, "My son, my son, O Absalom my son, would God I had died for thee! O Absalom, my son, my son!"

When David Heard was premiered by the BYU Singers in March of 1999 and was recorded in the Museum of Art on the BYU Campus. It appears on the Singer's CD: Eric Whitacre: The Complete A Cappella Works, 1991-2001.

Commissioned for the Singers by the Barlow Endowment for the Arts, Eric was partly inspired by news that the choir director's 19 yr old son was killed in a car accident. Eric wrote: "Setting this text was such a lonely experience...I wrote maybe 200 pages of sketches, trying to find the perfect balance between sound and silence...and by the time I finished a year later I was profoundly changed." When David Heard is dedicated "with love and silence" to the choir's conductor, Dr. Ronald Staheli.

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[Jon Christian]

I imagine this is how the parents of the kids are feeling in Connecticut.

[Frank Halcomb]

True... After that horrible tragedy happened, I listened to this song and it finally came to me, that this song REALLY paints a musical picture of the pain a parent goes through losing a child. God help those families

[irishleprecaun]

god this song is so beautiful. I came here to listen to this after learning about the tragic school shooting in CT earlier today. I kept it together until about 13:30 and then I just started weeping. My heart goes out to all the friends and family who lost loved ones in Newton today, especially all the parents who feel like David right now.

[Frank Halcomb]

Indeed. I've said it so many times before, NO parent should have to bury their child :(

[Carl Tiede]

WHO DISLIKED THIS? I DARE YOU TO SHOW YOURSELF.

[samwooley]

chills through the entire song... so beautiful and powerful

[slcphoto]

This song was composed by Eric Whitacre for his friend, Ronald Staheli, the BYU Singers' conductor, after Ronald's son died. I can't imagine the emotions going through Staheli's mind as he conducted this piece the first time. Absolutely beautiful. I cry every time.

[warpig34]

A few years back, my cousin, Peter, died from a very rare heart disease. He was 19 years old. My dad and I both agree that this song perfectly displays the pain my aunt Julie went through. Eric Whitacre really outdid himself with this beautiful song.

[MsEmmy00]

sorry u guys, but i think its a tiny bit boring...but its still beautiful...just....not as good as his other music...sorry

[Savannah Hallerbach]

Such a beautiful piece of music. You can really feel what David felt when his son betrayed him.

[Brian Baumgarn]

I think if people would meditate on music like this more the anger in their hearts would be softened. Still, last week's bombing in Boston and all. I found Eric's music 10 days or so ago and have been weeping every since. I am 28 years in recovery and I am using it for devotion and meditation.............the doorway to heaven opens a little and I am more secure in my day, Thanks, Eric

[WibblyPigNZ]

I think you'll find that's the point. It's a lament. For a son. Who has profoundly wounded his father's heart. And yet a father weeps. My son. My son. Achingly, agonisingly beautiful.

[Ryan J]

Sang this song in college - still gives me goosebumps!

[Kaiesha Abdullah]

This song is just absolutely beautiful.. I'm speechless..

[TheWindsVoice333]

And the crazy thing is that David lamented after Absolom's death even though Absolom took his throne, raped his concubines, and tried to kill him and his followers. Right there is a true father's love.