Composer

:

Thomas Tomkins

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Requiem

Average_duration

:

8:28

Thomas Tomkins' Funeral Sentences is a choral work that was composed in the early 17th century. The piece was first performed in 1622 at the funeral of Prince Henry, the eldest son of King James I of England. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is characterized by its somber and mournful tone. The first movement, "When David Heard," is a setting of a passage from the Book of Samuel in which King David laments the death of his son Absalom. The music is slow and mournful, with the choir singing in a homophonic style that emphasizes the text. The harmonies are simple and often dissonant, adding to the sense of sadness and grief. The second movement, "I Am the Resurrection and the Life," is a setting of a passage from the Gospel of John in which Jesus proclaims himself to be the resurrection and the life. The music is more upbeat than the first movement, but still retains a sense of solemnity. The choir sings in a polyphonic style, with different voices weaving in and out of each other to create a rich and complex texture. The final movement, "Man That Is Born of a Woman," is a setting of a passage from the Book of Job in which Job reflects on the fleeting nature of human life. The music is slow and mournful, with the choir singing in a homophonic style similar to the first movement. The harmonies are again simple and often dissonant, emphasizing the sense of sadness and loss. Overall, Tomkins' Funeral Sentences is a powerful and moving work that captures the sense of grief and loss that accompanies death. The music is simple yet effective, with the choir's voices blending together to create a haunting and beautiful sound. The work has remained popular to this day and is often performed at funerals and memorial services.

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