Lou Harrison composed “King David's Lament for Jonathan” in October 1941. In 1985, he revised the work and incorporated it into “Three Songs” for male chorus. Baritone John Duykers and duo pianists Robert Krupnick and Donald Cobb premiered the original version at the Oakland Museum on March 19, 1972. The “Three Songs” were premiered on September 28, 1985 by the Portland Gay Men's Choir, with Gilbert Seely conducting. The text is from the Bible: II Samuel 1:26. The version that Lou Harrison has set reads: Now I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan; Dear and delightful you were to me, Your love surpassing the love of women. Now I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan." |
