David and Jonathan
Stefan Weisman
About this work:
David and Jonathan was commissioned by New York City’s Gay Gotham Chorus and premiered under the direction of Jonathan Babcock at Symphony Space in June 2001.
David and Jonathan were Biblical warriors. Since Jonathan was son and heir to Saul, King of Israel, David and Jonathan’s friendship was both strengthened and threatened as David's popularity grew. As his star rose, Saul willed to destroy David, whom Jonathan protected against his father's (and his own) interests. No other male relationship in the Bible is given such treatment – the repeated covenants and a sublime elegy, attributed to David on Jonathan's death. David and Jonathan, uses exclusively scriptural text to tell its story, with inserted sections are drawn from Biblical love poetry not directly connected to David and Jonathan.
David and Jonathan is for TTBB men’s chorus accompanied by a full orchestra.
Year composed: 2001
Duration: 00:25:00
Ensemble type: Chorus, with or without Solo Voices:Chorus with Orchestra
Instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 2 Horn in F, 1 Piano, 2 Violin, 1 Viola, 1 Cello, 1 Double bass, 1 Tenor,1 Tenor soloist(s), 1 Baritone, 1 Bass, 1 TT, 1 BB