It has been accepted until recently that this version of the Absalon text was composed by Josquin des Prez, though recent scholarship points towards the possibility that it was written by a contemporary, Pierre La Rue. The original key, apparently, had a low range down to B-flat (for the final bass note), and low ranges were a hallmark of La Rue’s writing. In any event, the 4-minute motet is very beautiful and works well for cello ensemble.

The text for Absalon, fili mi comes from the 2nd book of Samuel. Absalon (or Absalom, as is also commonly seen) was the third son of King David. Absalom eventually rebelled against his father’s rule, setting himself up as king. The story goes that in a battle in Ephraim’s Wood, Absalom became ensnared in the boughs of a tree, then was killed as he hung there.

King David laments, upon hearing of his son’s death:

Absalon my son,
if only I had died instead of you, Absalon!
I shall live no more,
but go down to hell, weeping. *

This slightly different version of the text from the one used by Heinrich Schütz affords the composer the ability to word-paint the descent to hell, here done with canonic, overlapping descending triads.

Suggested tempo, dynamics and phrasings are by the arranger; one should not feel bound to adhere to them.

*Translation by Mick Swithinbank.

-Charles Jacot

Click below to listen to a recording of the work, by the Hilliard Ensemble: