Composer

:

Thomas Weelkes

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Madrigal

Publication Date

:

1966

Average_duration

:

2:35

'Oh Jonathan, woe is me' is a choral piece composed by Thomas Weelkes, an English composer of the Renaissance era. The piece was composed in the early 17th century, around 1600, and was first performed in the Chapel Royal in London. The piece is a five-part madrigal, which means it is written for five voices: two sopranos, alto, tenor, and bass. The text is taken from the biblical story of David and Jonathan, where David laments the death of his friend Jonathan. The text is in English and is set to a melancholic melody that reflects the sorrowful mood of the text. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement is slow and mournful, with the voices singing in unison to express the sadness of David's lament. The second movement is more lively and features a polyphonic texture, with the voices weaving in and out of each other to create a complex and intricate sound. The third movement returns to the slow and mournful mood of the first movement, with the voices singing in harmony to bring the piece to a somber close. One of the characteristics of Weelkes' style is his use of word painting, where the music reflects the meaning of the text. In 'Oh Jonathan, woe is me', Weelkes uses word painting to great effect, with the music rising and falling to reflect the emotions of the text. For example, when David sings "Oh Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places", the music rises to a high note to emphasize the tragedy of Jonathan's death. Overall, 'Oh Jonathan, woe is me' is a beautiful and poignant piece of music that showcases Weelkes' skill as a composer. Its use of word painting and complex polyphonic textures make it a masterpiece of the Renaissance era.

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