Absalom

for unaccompanied SATB choir and SAT trio
ca. 4’45”

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

Absalom's tragic story has often been encapsulated by this devastating, vivid line from Samuel II 18:33——a heartbreaking culmination of all of King David's errors in dealing with Amnon's horrific, incestual rape of Tamar, Absalom's sister. I wanted to trace that trajectory, trace their entire story, and see how years of mistakes and interactions between David and Absalom led to this tragic moment. A timeless trio repeats Absalom's name over and over, while the rest of the text takes from moments when King David either orders a decree that affects Absalom or directly addresses Absalom, contextualizing and recontextualizing each utterance of his name.

Absalom (2022) was commissioned by and dedicated with great admiration to NOĒMA and its founder and Artistic Director Sanders Lau for their inaugural concert.

Text adapted from Samuel II, ch. 14-18:

Absalom...

Let him turn to his house
Let him not see my face

Go in peace

Deal with him gently

My son

Would God I'd died for thee

Performances:

30 Mar 2023
RED NOTE New Music Festival Final Concert
Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall, Illinois State University, IL, USA
Illinois State University Concert Choir; Dr. Mark Grizzard, interim director of choral activities

23 Oct 2022 (world premiere)
NOĒMA: Under the Pale of Mist
Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Theatre, Hong Kong University, Hong Kong
NOĒMA; Sanders Lau, artistic director; Trio: Alison Lau, Winky Wong, Kenny Lam