"When David Heard" - Thomas Tomkins
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Uploaded by VisioMusicum on Nov 6, 2007
Thomas Tomkins (1572 - 1656)
This is one of the saddest and most wonderful pieces of music I know from this period. It is a masterpiece of English church music, and describes the reaction of King David on hearing that his son, Absalom, had been killed in battle. The text is:
"When David heard that Absalom was slain, he went up to his chamber and wept. And thus he said:
Oh, my son! Absalom my son. Would God I had died for you."
The images I have used are initially religious, but after a minute or so they switch to the present and show the grief of those who have lost their sons or daughters in the wars and conflicts we have on this planet. I'm sorry if the images are occasionally horrific. If you wish, close your eyes and just listen to the beautiful, sad music.
Performed by "The Cambridge Singers" conducted by John Rutter.
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Top Comments
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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.
2 years ago 7
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beautiful.
Found this because "Absalom my son" was a clue in last Wed's NY Times crossword.
3 years ago 6
Video Responses
All Comments (54)
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Honestly, I don't even care about the pictures... I just change tabs and listen to the beautiful music. What an exquisite piece.
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This is so beautiful......
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This is so beautiful......
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beautiful
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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 !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Absalom is my son.....and David did weep......to be human is to be human......it is that time.
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@lydiajack3 You've got the story right, but...rapped...lol
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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.
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@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.
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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.
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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
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
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