Composer

:

Eric Whitacre

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Chorus

Compose Date

:

1999

Average_duration

:

14:01

"When David Heard" is a choral work composed by Eric Whitacre in 1999. It was premiered by the Brigham Young University Singers in the same year. The piece is a setting of the biblical text from 2 Samuel 18:33, which describes King David's grief upon hearing of the death of his son Absalom. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement begins with a mournful, chant-like melody sung by the choir in unison. The texture gradually thickens as the choir adds more voices, creating a sense of increasing intensity and emotion. The second movement is more complex, with intricate harmonies and shifting rhythms that reflect the turmoil of David's emotions. The final movement returns to the simplicity of the first, with the choir singing a quiet, prayerful melody that gradually fades away. One of the most striking characteristics of "When David Heard" is its use of dissonance. Whitacre employs a variety of dissonant chords and intervals throughout the piece, creating a sense of tension and unease that mirrors the emotional turmoil of the text. However, he also uses moments of consonance and resolution to provide moments of relief and release. Another notable feature of the work is its use of dynamics. Whitacre employs a wide range of dynamics, from the softest pianissimo to the loudest fortissimo, to create a sense of ebb and flow in the music. This dynamic range also serves to highlight the emotional intensity of the text, as the choir alternates between moments of quiet reflection and moments of passionate outpouring. Overall, "When David Heard" is a powerful and moving work that showcases Whitacre's skill as a composer. Its use of dissonance, dynamics, and shifting textures creates a sense of emotional depth and complexity that is both challenging and rewarding for performers and listeners alike.

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