“A big seller at the recent ACDA Convention in New York City, ‘Eric Whitacre’ is a stunning collection of songs composed in the classical style of Monteverdi, Debussy and Prokofiev, but with inspiration from such groups as the Beatles, Sting, Queen, Madonna and Peter Gabriel. His choice of texts also reflects a broad range of poets – Octavio Paz, Ogden Nash, James Joyce, e.e. cummings and Emily Dickenson, religious poets being conspicuous in their absence, although ‘three songs of faith’ are included here. The mixed-voice Brigham Young U. Singers do justice to Whitacre’s difficult, eclectic, wonderful, soaring compositions. 12 songs, ‘Water Night,’ the three songs of faith: ‘I Will Wade Out,’ ‘Hope, Faith, Life, Love,’ ‘I Thank You God for most this Amazing Day,’ ‘Cloudburst’, ‘Sleep,’ ‘I Hide Myself,’ ‘With a Lily in Your Hand,’ ‘Go Lovely Rose,’ ‘When David Heard,’ ‘Lux aurumque’ and ‘Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine.’ ‘Beautiful’ is an inadequate word to describe Whitacre’s work and the BYU Singers’ interpretation of it. ‘Amazing’ works much better! Recommended.” – BYU Singers
“An accomplished composer, conductor and lecturer, Eric Whitacre has quickly become one of the most popular and performed composers of his generation. The Los Angeles Times has praised his compositions as “works of unearthly beauty and imagination, (with) electric, chilling harmonies”; while the BBC raves that “what hits you straight between the eyes is the honesty, optimism and sheer belief that passes any pretension. This is music that can actually make you smile.â€
As a conductor, Whitacre has appeared with hundreds of professional and educational ensembles throughout the world. In the last ten years he has conducted concerts of his choral and symphonic music in Japan, Australia, China, Singapore, South America and much of Europe, as well as dozens of American universities and colleges where he regularly conducts seminars and lectures with young musicians. Over the past few years, these loyal fans and supporters have moved online, spreading Eric’s popularity to an ever-expanding worldwide audience. Upcoming commissions include works for The King’s Singers with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and an oratorio – featuring full orchestra, choir, and soloists – celebrating the opening of the new Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, TX.
His music has been featured on dozens of commercial and independent recordings. His first recording, The Music of Eric Whitacre, was hailed by The American Record Guide as one of the top ten classical albums of 1997. In 2006, a full collection of his a cappella music, Cloudburst and Other Choral Works, was released on the renowned British classical label Hyperion Records. The album quickly became an international best seller, appearing in the top ten of both Billboard’s and iTune’s Top Classical Albums charts. Two years after its debut, the critically acclaimed release continues to be a top-seller. The collection earned a 2007 Grammy nomination for Best Choral Performance.” – Wikipedia
All I really have to add is that this is the best music I’ve fallen asleep to in years (that’s a good thing), and it’s kind of invigorating to blast it if you’re speeding down an empty highway at night. Somewhere there exists an MP3 of Nicci’s choral group performing “Sleep,” and if I can find it I’ll post it.
Eric Whitacre
The Complete A Cappella Works, 1991-2001
MegaUpload DL Link
Tracklist:
01. Water Night
02. I Will Wade Out
03. Hope, Faith, Life, Love
04. I Thank You God For Most This Amazing Day
05. Cloudburst
06. Sleep
07. I Hide Myself
08. With A Lilly In Your Hand
09. Go, Lovely Rose
10. When David Heard
11. Lux Auru Maue
12. Leonardo Dreams Of His Flying Machine
