Absolon fili mi

This powerful motet is for four-part male choir (STTB) and sets a lament from the Old Testament. The text, from 2 Samuel 18:33, expresses the deep grief of King David on hearing of the death of his son Absalom: "Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, my son, my son!" The composer, anonymous, has crafted a poignant setting that captures the raw emotion of parental anguish. Sung in Latin, this sacred motet would be a profoundly moving choice for a solemn occasion, perhaps in a cathedral or chapel setting, allowing the choir to convey the profound sorrow and despair of the biblical narrative through their performance.