Son of the Sun

• Composer: Anton Weeren
• Instrumentation: Concert Band
• Duration: Ca. 13 min.
• Difficulty: Grade 3

Everyone knows the famous Bible story of Samson and Delilah. Samson means “Son of the Sun”. This extremely strong man derives his strength from his long hair. When he reveals this secret to his beloved Delilah, she cuts off his hair, causing him to lose his powers and be captured by the Philistines. The tragic history of Samson is musically interpreted in this concert work written in an oriental style, in three movements.

Part 1: Samson’s Exceptional Power – Describes a large, strong, combative, passionate man with long hair and a terrifying supernatural appearance. An attractive warrior, engaging, charismatic with gigantic muscles and inhuman strength.
Part 2: Treacherous Love – An emotional narrative about treacherous love. Passionate and deep from the heart, with boundless desire and trust. Tears of pain can be heard in the great betrayal and her lies, the why, and his deepest regret.
Part 3: Delilah’s Charm – The unprecedented seductiveness of Delilah, the fairest woman among the Philistines. It sounds like a Persian belly dancer, veiled and perfumed, moving with her tinkling necklaces and jewelry to uplifting oriental music. Dancing and twisting her hips, her prey carefully intoxicated by her beauty. Uplifting rhythms of drums, colors, and scents of perfume and incense—seductive but treacherous.

Watch and Listen: