When David Heard

When David Heard
by Eric Whitacre
Performance by the Wichita State University Concert Chorale
Michael Hanawalt, conductor

[@LeonardoLLeuci]

This piece is beautiful, but it becomes even more beautiful when you know the backstory. David is weeping over the death of his son, Absalom, but this is after Absalom killed his brother, cut his father from his life and wad coming for David to take his throne as King of Israel. In all of this, David still loved his son and grieved greatly over his death.

[@kunai9390]

Not only that but Eric wrote this piece for his friend who had lost his son

[@mpegging]

Lost our daughter almost 3 years ago. This expresses the grieving process so well. She worked at the St. Paul parish on campus and was a graduate student. She also loved to sing.

[@aidababes1]

Very powerful! It simply caught David's sorrow over the death of his son, Absalom. But, I believe, David's grief is more for his failure as a father.

[@andrewolsen4255]

Well said.

[@austinhampton1603]

It does say something about the type of person David was though. He mourned the Death of King Saul who was out to kill him. Then he mourned the death of his son, who was also out to kill him.

[@chipcole4817]

Absalom died hanging in a tree, which is in some ways a prototype of Christ who also suffers death in a tree. Absalom, however was guilty of the sin which led to his demise. But we know that Jesus is the Root of Jesse, that is to say the second David. We can see the Christological connection in David’s cry that immediately follows the text of this song, “My son, My son, Would God I had died for thee.”

[@kelkabot]

I think it's very moving that it's the first time we hear David refer to Absalom as his son. Before Absalom's death, we hear him refer to him as "the young man, Absalom." Whitacre capitalizes on this in the composition.

[@Pebbe496]

Best version on youtube, even including studio recordings.

[@jeekgibbrish]

Emotionally charged, beautifully phrased, perfectly paced, this is among the best performances recorded of this great piece. Truly a high bar for any choir to match! Bravo

[@diventrips2926]

Having conducted this piece several times with two different choirs, I know how demanding it is. Very well done! Beautifully sung and conducted. The concentration of every singer is amazing, and exactly what is needed to perform this piece as well as you did. A transformative experience.

[@whitneymacdonald4396]

Beautiful tempo to this rendition. Great conducting. So nice to see a group working so well together. Of course the song helps. Spellbinding.

[@vijoywinson9246]

When David heard that Absalom was slain he went up into his chamber over the gate and wept, my son, my son, O Absalom my son, would God I had died for thee!

[@robert8198]

The first build up and apex was so well done. The whole piece was flawless. Hard to pull this piece off and you aced it.

[@bobwaters6770]

What a surprise to hear this space! This was my undergrad home in Wichita Kansas as an organ major. Marcussen organ BTW.

[@meehyejo984]

와~이런 전율은 태어나 처음 경험하는 것이다 목주변의 혈관이 미세하게 찢어지는 듯하며 머리가 공허감이 가득차는 듯하다 아들을 잃은 아비의 심정이 이렇구나 ᆢ 후반부는 경이롭다 하나님께서 행하실 놀라운 일들에 대한 도입부같다

[@LisztyLiszt]

This is really great. A challenging work performed musically. Well done to everyone.

[@Musician425]

10:37 brings a tear to my eye

[@BjornHegstad]

Stunning performance. Bravo!

[@andrieslouw6588]

How bizarre that we can pour out the emotions of someone who lived 3000 years ago.

[@aidababes1]

Just goes to show that human emotions generally do not change with time.

[@SweeneyTodd5197]

This is one of those pieces of music that just leaves me WEEPING EVERY SINGLE TIME

[@paullowe-rb2jc]

Glad to know such efforts continue in my home state. A moving rendition. Thank you!

[@LisztyLiszt]

Still the best performance of this work.

[@DWallization]

Wow.

[@tarracacatracolia780]

Amazing

[@classicore22]

1:29 Gripping

[@DBlairMusic]

Wow. Dr. Hanawalt you’re clearly a student of the BYU recording, this is excellent. It almost sounds too good to be real. Chords are tuned and balanced perfectly, excellent vowel match throughout. Breath support is obviously key in this piece and the group nailed it. Congrats on having that low bass 😂 it’s so key. Very well done. Also, looks like you’re now at FSU, which was nearly my Alma Mater and a school of which I’m now a booster. Really nice coincidence, I hope to hear your groups on campus at some point.

[@DBlairMusic]

The whole group did very well, but your altos in this group are baller (or were in this take, at least) 👏

[@crimsonred102]

7:07

[@33haych]

8:55 sounds like somthing out of lotr

[@WidowOfWindsor]

🌹