Composer

:

Thomas Tomkins

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Anthem

Compose Date

:

before 1622

Average_duration

:

4:42

When David Heard That Absalom Was Slain is a choral work composed by Thomas Tomkins in the early 17th century. The piece is a setting of a biblical text from the Second Book of Samuel, which tells the story of King David's grief upon hearing of his son Absalom's death. The work is believed to have been composed in the early 1620s, during Tomkins' tenure as organist at Worcester Cathedral. It is one of his most famous compositions and is often performed in choral concerts and church services. When David Heard That Absalom Was Slain is a four-part choral work, with each part singing different lines of the text. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of David's grief. The first movement is slow and mournful, with the choir singing in unison to express David's initial shock and disbelief at the news of Absalom's death. The second movement is more complex, with the choir singing in four-part harmony to convey David's deep sorrow and lamentation. The final movement is the most dramatic, with the choir singing in a fast and furious manner to represent David's anger and frustration at the circumstances that led to Absalom's death. The piece ends with a final, mournful chord that reflects David's ultimate acceptance of his son's fate. When David Heard That Absalom Was Slain is characterized by its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which create a sense of tension and unease throughout the piece. The work also features frequent changes in tempo and dynamics, which help to convey the emotional intensity of the text. Overall, When David Heard That Absalom Was Slain is a powerful and moving choral work that continues to be admired and performed by choirs and audiences around the world.

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