The Seal Lullaby (With Recording!)

June 1, 2008 at 7:59 pm UTC

A truly beautiful concert last night. The Towne Singers sang so well, the church was gorgeous, and the audience was genuinely warm and appreciative. Best of all, they made a giant cake for the reception with a little baby seal on it! I’ll post the photos as soon as they send them to me.

I’m really happy with the piece, because I think it retained it’s original ‘cinematic intention’ while at the same time functioning as a stand-alone choral work. My great friend Amy Arms, who sang a beautiful solo at the concert last night, asked me after she heard The Seal Lullaby if I had been listening to Danny Elfman lately. (The ending of The Seal Lullaby has a pretty obvious tip of the hat to one of my favorite film scores of all time, Edward Scissorhands.) I laughed, and told her yes, of course I had. The truth is, though, that it’s almost impossible to write a I-iii chord progression anymore without it immediately making you think of that movie, or at the very least, Christmas. Personally, I like it because it sounds shy, and melancholy, and filled with longing — just like Johnny Depp as Edward Scissorhands, and just like the little baby seal in Kipling’s story.

So now that the piece has been premiered, I can post a recording. This isn’t the Towne Singers (still haven’t received the CD from last night) but instead it is a recording of the USC Concert Choir that I made a couple of weeks ago for use in promoting the printed sheet music this fall. My deep thanks to Dr. Megan Solomon at USC for again letting me conduct and record her terrific group; to my dear friend Tali Tadmor for playing so beautifully (as always); and to the singers of the USC Concert Choir. We’ll post the ‘making of’ video of this recording session on YouTube soon.

[audio http://ericwhitacre.com/wp-content/uploads/seal-lullaby-usc-take-7-gm.mp3]

Jason

Eric,

Another beautiful piece of work. Can't wait for the sheet music. Two great premieres this year ;) Now im really anticipating Paradise Lost: The Pasadena Sessions.

BTW, is Hila releasing sheet music for "The Reckoning"?

Thanks,
Jason
Brian

Great song. I felt it was different from our other works. It was much less contemporary than, for example, The Stolen Child. It was still, however, truely epic.
I am, as is Jason from the comment above, really anticipating the Paradise Lost CD. Any idea of when it will be released?

Seal Lullaby=EPIC

Brian
Steve

Eric,
You've done it again. Another absolutely stunning piece, and a perfect expression of simple beauty intertwined with complex emotion. What a wonderful way to "tip your hat" to Danny Elfman. The soundtrack to Edward Scissorhands is breathtaking, and you captured the essence of that score with such originality. Bravo!
http://www.myspace.com/scottacomposer Scott

I agree with Brian, its was very different from other pieces of yours, but still just as beautiful. What a great recording. The piece has such lovely line and harmonies. Bravo!
Congrats on everything you've done this year.
Katherine

Wow. That was so beautiful! I wish a was there to hear it. The recording sounds amazing, thanks to such a emotional, touching and talented performance.

Lovelovelove it.
Tessy

Elegant, lush, and gorgeous! Wow! You make Stephen Schwartz and Danny Elfman (Edward Scissorhands is one of my favorite movies by the way) proud. :) I hope you got to have some of that cake. It sounds like it was a spectacular night! Ah, such a lovely lovely lullaby. :)

ps – I am also anxiously awaiting the Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings cd. :)
Luke

Aww, I like it. It's very sweet. kudos!
http://lissalo.blogspot.com Lissa

Beautiful.
=]
Megan

It was a joy recording with you! Thanks for the beautiful piece, and the lovely afternoon. Come back to USC soon!!
elliott

I'm really disappointed I couldn't make it to the concert as I had planned. I'm sure it was a great night of music (and cake). Thanks for the recording!
elliott

Oh I forgot to say that I've listened to the recording about fifteen times now. Love the piece!
kelci

Absolutely stunning. You really are a fantastic composer. I have some friends in the USC concert choir and they had nothing but wonderful things to say about you. I'm at UCLA, so I'm definitely jealous, you'll have to save one composition for us sometime! Really phenomenal.

-Kelci
Melanie

I really liked this piece. It has an element of simplicity of the lullaby encased in the complexity of the harmony. You did very well placing the emotion of an ocean-like setting into this piece. This was beautifully done, and I really enjoyed listening to it. If I closed my eyes, I could almost see the ocean waves lapping up on the shore. It also had a calming lullaby effect. You could almost feel a mother's calming touch on a small child (or seal in this case).
Love it!
It stands very well alone, and I just really loved it!
spidermanpuddin

Hey Eric,
I really enjoy this piece. Probably one of your best, in my opinion, so far including the Animal Crackers. I'm nearly finished with my Bachelor's in Music Composition here at Florida Southern College and I was wondering if you could get me a few tips on composing. My site is http://jasonandrews.org/
Lisa

Wow,

Absolutly beautiful. I could listen to it all day and all night long! You should compose more simple choral pieces with piano like this!
Dave

eric:

my director sys he really wants to perform the piece next year in with my group…do you have any idea when the sheet music will be available?
Mike

Mr Whitacre,

I have recently been introduced to your works in the past two years. Last year i sang "Leonardo Dreams of his Flying Machine" in the Massachusetts All-State Chorus, this year i sang "With a Lily" in the all state chorus, and i played "Noisy Wheels of Joy" in my school band. I have to say that i am increasingly impressed and interested in how you compose music with such tonality and perfection. The Seal Lullaby has so much feeling in the chords. I am off to college next year where i hope to earn a bachelors in business and music composition. i would like to hear more about the somposition process for you and what it was like getting this interest.
Frank Reed

Wow, really another great piece and such a great greeting on your MySpace page! Really fantastic, again maestro!
Frank
Marilyn

Hi Eric,

Greetings from Indiana! I have been out of the loop for a while. The Seal Lullaby is a lovely piece. I'm a bit confused with your comment "it retained its original cinematic intention". Was this originally written as a part of a soundtrack? If so, which movie?

Glad to hear that you are doing so well.

Marilyn
Nick

Eric,
Absolutely breathtaking. I love the I-iii. Its so lush, and calming. You did it again. Love it. I agree with Mike. I would like to learn how to compose in the ways you do. You're one of my main influences. The chords you use and the ways you get to them and leave them are so thoughtful and emotional. Great stuff.

-Nick
http://not-available Jason K.

Eric,

To be quite honest, this is the best piece that has come from your mind in quite some time! It's so pure, and so innocent. This songs text and music asks each of us to think. Not just think about ourselves, but about the world around us. The Oooh is so wonderful and reflective. I so wish i could get the written score for this song (but funds are tight). I also wish i could learn how you add piano music to the music. I am writing a song right now and trying to add piano as you are, but it isn't as crisp and as enhancing as yours. Truly, you have created a work of art! I hope you stay in contact Eric. I really do look up to you as a young vocalist, a young music educator, and as a young composer.

Sincerely,

Jason K.
Andy

Mr. Whitacre,

I can't stop listening to this piece.

-andy
Jason

Hey Mr. Whitacre,

Great flowing movement in this piece. The piano is a nice added touch as well, considering most of your other choral works are a capella.

What are the lyrics for this piece? Any help to send me in the right direction would be great.

Thanks!

–jason lee
http://www.facefaceproductions.tk/ Annemarie

A friend from the University of Victoria said "Taylor's gonna be better than Whittaker".
Check out your competition: Taylor Holmwood. He wrote and conducted his first choral piece last Thursday at his high school.
if you have time, please send him some encouragement. http://www.facefaceproductions.tk/
Ryan

Wow, very beautiful piece. It feels like I'm floating on air. When will it be released?
Jenna F.

So beautiful. I always love what you've done, ever since performing "Little Birds" in high school. This piece is equally inspiring.
http://www.jmu.edu/music James Madison Univer

Dear Eric,
You met a number of my students and me at Virginia Tech 3 years ago when you did a short residency there. JMU has performed much of your works in the past 4 years, including our "Lux with a beat" found on YouTube. (We've cleaned it up since then, as that was the culminating tour drive home at the wee hours…completely student inspired and run…and could get you a full version, if you'd like!?)
I'm not sure the best way to contact you regarding a possible commission? I'd enjoy beginning dialogue about this via email, as JMU choirs will perform at the Kennedy Center in March 2009, and will travel to the UK on a tour in July 2009. The Kennedy Center concert features our top 2 choirs, and if you have anything a cappella that is in the works, we'd love to foster your progress. How about writing something antiphonal, or for choir and semi-chorus? This could be a meaningful project, and those forces would be more unique to your output. I read that you're hoping to "push the envelope" in your upcoming comopositions after hearing your wife perform at the Kennedy Center. This may be an opportunity to do so? We hope to hear from you. JMU Choral Activities
Lisa

Your music makes me melt. This piece is gorgeous and the harmonies are so perfect. It has an ocean wave effect to it that gives it the mysterious feel but the comfort as well. I hope to join the USC choir after my studies in UH and I hope to work with you one day. You and your music are an inspiration to composers and singers everywhere. Thank you so much for making this sensational piece of work.
Matt A

Dear Mr. Whitacre,

You have inspired me to become a professional composer. Thank you so much.

Matt A.
Carley

I took a chance to listen to this piece while Edward Scissorhands was in my dvd player on mute. Playing the beginning of this movie to your piece is almost a perfect fit. It describes through few words exactly what Edward is and will be feeling. You never cease to amaze me with your music, and you have touched my heart. Can't wait to hear the next piece!
Carley
Andrew

Thank you, sir.

Thank you a hundred times.

Your songs inspire me to think that maybe I can actually make it in this world as an artist, and again…thank you.
http://tuthejourney.blogspot.com Teresa

Very beautiful… so touching!! I haven't watched Edward Scissorhands in a long time, but I might have to watch it again. So lush, so simple and pure, so moving!
Jim Dearing

Eric, How lovely your Lullaby is. I am conducting a high school choral festival in November (I always include one of your works in the festival choirs). When will Seal Lullaby be available for purchase please? The singers will love it. Thanks.

Jim
[email protected]
Jim

Eric,

Your music is so beautiful. I think everyone has told you that time and time again, but it deserves repeating because it is so true.

Whoever it was who turned you down for that prospective film is a moron. Wow, have they missed out. I sincerely hope an opportunity like that comes around again. Keep up the wonderful work and I'm certain it will.

Sincerely,
Jim
liz

mr. whitacre;

your music makes me cry.
when i close my eyes and listen to this and everything else you've written, i can only wonder: is this what angels sound like?

thank you and never stop.

liz
Kayla

This is a truly wonderful piece of music, as one would expect from you! I am completely enthralled with this piece. Simply amazing!
~Kayla Mae
Sam S.

Eric,

A beautiful piece, as always… I was wondering if you could tell me about the BYU Singers CD. Why isn't it out yet?

Thanks!
Amber

Again, wonderful. Of course, I would expect nothing less. And I did recognize a bit of Danny Elfman influence, especially in the beginning. Lovely work, once again.
Joshua Lynes

Eric,
For one, your music always intrigues me with the immense ammount of musical genious. You have inspired me to become a composer, and from every sound stretched forth from your sheet music, I become that much more motivated to write. Never stop composing, and never forget the lives you are changing and invigorating.
-Joshua Lynes
Ashwin Thapa

It touched me deep.

=')
Josh Bason

Wow. How do you do it? How do you seemingly bring down the heavenly choirs from above to the earth and make them perform. After pieces like this, I ask myself "Can he do NO wrong?" Your pieces are so ethereal and beautiful, I feel like I'm not worthy to listen to it, and almost every time I listen, I am brought to tears. And I'm on of those people who DON'T cry. Seriously, all in all, I am so thankful to be able to hear your compositions, and I will look for all that you do. Who knows? Perhaps we'll hire you to do a commission for one of our movies. (We will, in about 5 years, when we're up and running, be expecting it)
http://www.sibeliusmusic.com/cgi-bin/user_page.pl?url=thomasmotley Thomas Motley

Eric,
I think your music is fantastic. You have truly inspired me to become a composer when I'm older, and you have loads of fans over here in the UK.
We in the UK have about 50 all-male Cathedral and college chapel choirs. I'd love to hear a piece by you specially written for an all-male church choir. You put on the website that Kings performed Lux as part of a televised Christmas Concert. You need to get them to perform it at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Nine Carols! Or maybe you could persuade Stephen Cleobury to commission you a piece especially written for Kings at the Festival???

Best wishes

Thomas Motley

P.S I love your two recent works
Carina

It's simply beautiful. I can't even stop listening to it. Love it.

Carina
Paul S. Banninga

an absolutely georgeous piece
Jim Harring

So hauntingly beautiful, it evokes emotions which men fear to stir.
Emily

This was a piece at the Festival of Voices concert that I participated in… great job. It sent shivers down my spine as we sang it.
Brianna

Mr. Whitacre,
I am a sophomore at Riverview High School in Hillsborough county, Florida. I am aware of that fact that you are in contact with my director,m Elizabeth Stuart. We are performing The Seal Lullaby and I feel like so much emotion is missing from the piece! If only we could have a rehearsal with you as conductor!!!! (:

I was hoping that you could let me know what your inspirations were for writing this piece and what emotions were going through your head.

I also know that when singing your music, (we performed hope, faith, life, love last year), and we tried to imagine colors for the phrases, to make emotion. Can you please help us?
Thank you so much for everything and for being such an awesome composer!
Sincerely, Brianna Jackson
tunedup

Thanks for a piece more accessible to many high school students especially groups with limited rehearsal time.

Will this piece be available from USA vendors? The price at MusicRoom is $4.00! I would like to do this piece with an honor chorus of about 80, but the cost is a considerable factor.
Amy

This song is so beautifully haunting. The harmony is amazing and the peaceful emotions it emits is truly touching. I really like this song. Check out Eric Whitacre's story behind this song, it's pretty interesting! Good job, Mr. Whitacre, good job indeed.
http://vincentrubinetti.com vince

I love this piece to death…. and I love Danny Elfman… he's SO underrated. He doesn't deserve the criticisms he gets.

Btw, I must ask, what are the lyrics of this piece from? I assume it is a poem of some sort, but I can't find the name of it..
vince

nevermind, I found it.. hehe
javier

i love this piece….and eric whitacre in general…his music is amazing
Pingback: New. « Take the Gun.
laurelofthewood

This is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Thank you so much for making gorgeous music for the world to enjoy.
Daniel

Mr. Whitacre,

I don't think any other music has touched me as much as yours. I would be coming to see you at Avery Fisher Hall, but I have my own show that night. I will not soon forget how upset this makes me, but perhaps at some point in the future I will get to watch a set of your works performed.

Regards,

Daniel Angeles
Rachel Teffeteller

Mr. Whitacre,

Thank you so much for your beautiful pieces. Being a soprano 1, I especially enjoy the wonderful soprano lines you create. I am very different from my high school peers, in which I enjoy listening to and singing classical music so very much. No one, except one person I can think of, fully understands my passion for music. This piece, Seal Lullaby, is on a future repertoire for an honors choir in November. This is the first I've heard of this piece, but it is very lovely and captivating. Thank you so much for sharing your music with the world–it is simply beautiful.
Hillary

Eric,

this is fantastic, my chamber choir is doing this song, and we love it. Our teacher read us the description on the inside page and none of us could believe that Disney would scrap a movie with this amazing score for Kung Fu Panda…its just ridiculous because this music is beautiful.
Devon Ealy

This is a beautiful song. This is the third time I've heard it and I fell in love with it. BTW this is one of South Carolina's All-State pieces this year.
http://www.parityx.org Matt K.

My choir is performing this piece this year…I heard a recording for the first time in class. I was amazed at how beautiful it sounded. I've listened to this recording at least 10 times tonight, and will probably do more. This piece is incredible, and this song helps inspire me every day to continue my life with music. Thank you so much for this song.
Lydia Parker

Such a beautiful song. I listen to it everyday because it has such a calming and soothing tone to it. Well done Eric
Jenna

You have no idea how excited I am to sing this in choir this year. I almost shed tears when we heard a recording today. We might just be a high school choir but I think we'll do it justice.
Devon

This is my first year in choir. and my teacher gave us The Seal Lullaby to sing for our schools concert in December. and i LOVE this song. its brilliant. is there anyway i can get a recording of it to put onto my ipod??
xiang

i've sung this in my choir and i really enjoyed it.
Dakota

Eric,

Words are not enough to describe the beauty of this song. Of all the choral compositions I've heard, this was the only one that has ever brought me to tears. It is such a soft yet powerful piece. Out of every composition I've heard from you, this takes the gold.
Destinee

This is just so beautiful. We are singing this in my choir.
Joseph

I never tire of this song. The lyrics and notes combine to make what is the most beautiful song I've ever heard.
Arianna

The girl's choir Im in ConBrio is going to be performing this piece in competition, we are already halfway done and we started just last week.
We performed the Five Hebrew Love Songs with only 15 girls but it was a success whats so ever.
Eric Whitacre your music makes our choir soar.
Britlin

The soundtrack of Edward Scissorhands is one of my favorites as well, specifically The Grand Finale. The Seal Lullaby is so pure and simplistic, and so true to you as a composer. Thank you for your amazing work.
http://www.nationaldebtreliefprogram.org/ National Debt Relief

Ah I wish I could have been at this concert!!
chrs sparks

This is really gorgeous music. Where can one get the sheet music?
Jamie

This is such a lovely piece. I'm currently singing this in the chorus group I'm in and it is just wonderful. Thank you for your fantastic work, I look foreward to hearing more!
http://composerfocus.com Audio Tutorials

Great song. I felt it was different from our other works. It was much less contemporary than, for example, The Stolen Child.
http://dailydoseofkate.weebly.com Kate

this is, in my opinion, the most beautiful song in the world! We are singing this in my high school choir for homecoming. I am so excited! It is absolutely gorgeous!
Imani

Mr. Whitacre,

Our Master Singers at Olympia High school performed this song during our winter contert of last year. I promise the piece makes my heart skip a beat. Very wonderous portion of lyric and harmony. Thank you for endevouring in such an indepth work of art!

~!Imani.
Margaret:)

The very first time that I heard this song; it brought tears to my eyes. Reminded me, of why it is that i'm so in love with music. Of why I do, what I do. I mean, Isn't that what music is all about? …Thank you.

Absolutely phenomenal.
Kayla

When I first heard this performed by my high school concert choir, I realized why I truly love music. I found myself staring upward at the sun coming through the windows and feeling like I was truly free. This piece exudes a terrible beauty like none other and I'm glad I have the privilege of escaping this life whenever I hear it.

Thank you Mr. Whitacre.
Aj Jenkins

This piece is amazing. I played it for a girl that means the world to me and its become sort of the turning point.
Thank you Eric Whitacre!!!!
Jane

My school is singing this song in SSA and I love it! I’m sooo happy the MSVMA put it on the list for festival!
Lydia

This is a wonderful peace, I’ve learned to play the melody with some of my own chourds. I can’t wait to perform this at my chior consert, all though it won’t be as pretty as your arangment.
Antrince

An absolutely beautiful piece, it’s my favorite piece that you’ve done :)
http://ericwhitacre.com/blog/the-seal-lullaby-with-recording#respond Hunter Stevens

Simply Mistifying. Also a great concert band peice<3

Eric Whitacre

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