Composer

:

Nicolas Gombert

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Average_duration

:

8:23

Lugebat David Absalon is a choral work composed by Nicolas Gombert, a Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance era. The piece was composed in the 16th century and is believed to have been premiered in the early 1540s. The work is divided into six movements, each of which is based on a different section of the biblical text from 2 Samuel 18:33, which describes the grief of King David upon hearing of the death of his son Absalom. The movements are arranged in a descending order of pitch, with the first movement being the highest and the sixth being the lowest. The first movement begins with a soprano solo, which is then joined by the rest of the choir. The second movement is a four-part setting of the text, with the lower voices providing a mournful drone. The third movement is a duet between two tenors, with the rest of the choir providing a background of sustained chords. The fourth movement is a three-part setting, with the altos and tenors singing in unison and the basses providing a separate line. The fifth movement is a four-part setting, with the lower voices again providing a drone. The final movement is a five-part setting, with the basses providing a separate line and the rest of the choir singing in four parts. The characteristics of Lugebat David Absalon are typical of Renaissance choral music. The work is polyphonic, with each voice part having its own melody and rhythm. The text is set in a clear and expressive manner, with the music reflecting the emotions of the text. The use of drones and sustained chords creates a sense of solemnity and mourning, while the use of solo and duet passages adds variety and interest to the work. Overall, Lugebat David Absalon is a beautiful and moving choral work that showcases the skill and artistry of Nicolas Gombert. Its timeless themes of grief and loss continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a beloved piece of Renaissance choral music.

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