Music>SATB Choral
Alleluia
I’m not an atheist, but I’m not a Christian either, and for my entire career I have resisted setting texts that could be used in a liturgical context. After spending the 2010 Michelmas term in Cambridge (Sidney Sussex College), though, singing with Dr. David Skinner and his marvelous Chapel Choir, I began to see the deep wisdom in the liturgical service. I found myself suddenly open to the history and the beauty of the poetry, and it was the single word Alleluia, ‘praise God’, that most enchanted me. It seemed the perfect fit for the music of my wind symphony work October, which to me is a simple and humble meditation on the glory of Autumn.
Alleluia was written for Dr. David Skinner and the Sidney Sussex Chapel Choir; they premiered it in the Sidney Sussex Chapel, Cambridge University, on June 25th, 2011.
Alleluia will be in print Spring 2012.
38 Comments
Carolyn Eynon on June 30, 2011 at 3:26 pm
I love Alleluia, when and how may I purchase it in Sept, 2011?
Keep writing, Eric
Congrats on Cambridge!
Carolyn Eynon Singers in Phoenix Az.
Zach Bailey on June 30, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Eric,
I chuckled a bit when I read your comment “I’m not an atheist, but I’m not a Christian either,” because for as long as I’ve known your music, it has continually reached and spoken to me on a deeply spiritual level. You may be surprised to know just how many people have grown in their spiritual journeys – whatever religion or lack thereof may be – because of your work. That alone is a gift that remains unmatched in this world. Now, you’ve taken such a simple word and set it to an extant piece of yours that was already moving and evocative, creating a texture sheer beauty and absolute grace. Whether you know it or not, God is working through you to deliver unending peace to all who listen. Thank you, Eric. Many blessings upon you and your continued work in Cambridge and everywhere else your whole life long.
Eric on June 30, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Thank you, Zach – that means the world to me.
Maddy Simpson on December 14, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Amen, Zach. I get chills everytime I listen to a new one of his pieces. It makes me want to join my school choir because of its beauty.
Courtney Lea K. on July 1, 2011 at 8:55 pm
I know what piece I’m going to be asking our vocal directors at ISU to perform later this year or early next year! lol And knowing the entire music faculty are huge fans – it probably won’t take much begging on my part to convince them lol.
Alyssa Hendrix on July 4, 2011 at 9:41 pm
I just wanted to tell you: this made me cry *and* made my week all at the same time. This is how I’ve been hearing it in my head all this time anyway (as a choir geek) and it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard. As an atheist, I’d say: your music, good sir, is as close to the divine as I’ve ever come. Thanks for this.
Baker Purdon on July 31, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Eric,
I started composing because of you. I even made it as far to interview at the Boston Conservatory, but decided to major in music education at home (The University of Kansas) to help guide people to the places I wanted to go.
It is when I hear work like this that I remember how unbelievably skilled you are. The way you manipulate both range, texture, and harmony to create a tapestry of sound is astounding.
You sir, are one of the prime examples of the beauty of music, and for that I thank you.
Amber Sazama on August 27, 2011 at 4:00 pm
I am continually touched and awed at your music. I am currently studying Music Education with an emphasis in Voice and I am so excited to pick music for my choirs. I feel like I could perform your pieces over and over!
Chandler Fadero on September 5, 2011 at 8:39 am
Eric-
I first came across your virtual choir about a year and a half ago, when a friend suggested that I research your work. I was a composer before but never found much enjoyment out of a choir- unaccompanied, anyway. After discovering Lux Aurumque, I believe that night I must have listened to it about five or six dozen times, each time shedding tears of beauty. To this day, I still do, with every one of your pieces.
Upon discovering Alleluia, I contacted my choir director at my church, St. Matthews, and suggested that the choir sing this and Lux Aurumque for the midnight mass in December for Christmas. She wholeheartedly agreed, and better yet, allowed me to be the conductor. I was enthralled by the idea, and I honestly think conducting your music will be the proudest moment of my life so far.
Thank you Eric, and continue to create music that will inspire others throughout the world for years and years to come.
Chandler
Jon Le on October 25, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Eric,
Like many who have already posted comments above, I, too, am awe-struck at such inspired writing, but a little heart-broken because the print won’t be available until Spring 2012. I would love to perform this at our Christmas Eve / Day services. Would there be any possibility for an earlier release?? Alternatively, would an e-download purchase option be available?
Many thanks!
Jon
Eric on October 25, 2011 at 10:12 pm
Jon, I’m afraid not – won’t be able to release it until April/May at the earliest. My apologies!
Cassidy on September 9, 2011 at 9:15 pm
This was the choral version of the October written for Chamber orchestra and chimes, right? My orchestra won state last year with October, but I like the choral version way better then the orchestrated version.
michael J welten on September 23, 2011 at 10:54 am
I remember playing this song in band my sophomore year of high school and I loved it. Absolutely gorgeous and now it is a part of the choral world which I am am even more excited about! =D
Cristiane Jones on October 2, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Eric, I agree with the comment by Zack Bailey, your music has touched me and other I know in amazing ways. I did your “I Thank You God For Most This Amazing Day” in the recital for my Master’s Degree. That song still inspires me. You might not know but I am sure God uses you to touch many lives in different ways. Your music has a touch of what I call heavenly music. A couple years ago I went to Denver, CO and heard a choir singing under your direction, that was an incredible experience. Musically speaking I don’t have any words to describe your music, it is just great. But more than that, the feeling of grace and peace that your music brings is something that makes you different and special! May God bless you in all your accomplishments and may your music touch many lives wherever you go.
Colleen Gilboy on October 11, 2011 at 9:00 pm
We are looking to purchase “Alleluia” for SATB choir as soon as possible, but haven’t been able to find it yet.
Can you please give some direction on when/where to purchase?
Thanks!
José Clavell on October 13, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Eric,
Because of you I started to compose. You have truly been an inspiration to me, to become a better musician, composer and finally to pursue my dreams of being a Choral Conductor. Your pieces are as inspiring you can see how humble you are in all of this. Because of you I shook of the fear of studying abroad (I live in Puerto Rico and I want to study a Master’s in FSU.) Thank you for everything. May God Bless you and your family.
José Clavell
Undergrad Student from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
Alex Noe on October 15, 2011 at 9:08 pm
Eric,
I love all of your pieces to start. This one though by far gives my chills whenever i hear it. It is just such a beautifully composed piece and i can’t wait until the full version comes out. The diversity in your music is just wonderful. As i go off to college next year i can only hope that i will have the chance to preform this song sometime in the future, keep up the amazing work!
Alex Noe
Senior at Waukesha North High school
Jerry Merkel on October 19, 2011 at 3:08 am
Eric, this is trully something. It stirs something in me every time I listen. It’s funny because it’s so magical. I always wonder, what the emotional aspect of music is. Whenever I pound on the piano for a chord, and just listen to the beauty of it, I picture angels voices, not something qunatifiable to over analyze it mathematically or scientifically. It’s something I;ve always searched for, and when I go to capture it, it vanishes, like magic. But you, Eric, capture it. And make it the best it could possibly be! It is literately the best thing I can imagine, as a talent or beauty, because I don’t cry or get emotional often. But you know how to catpure and make an art out of this, with work, but skill and talent and knowing as well. I didn’t understand music until I did Seussical in eighth grade, and when I sang my first note, it was like I saw in real color. And the whole world was open to me, just like your story Eric, and it was funny because I get music, and understand, and can listen and interpret beauty. This music is so pure and perfect, too many words to describe it. I do want to cry when I hear this, it shows me how good I’ve got it in life. To think I found you googling “amazing choir songs” one year ago, and now I know all of your songs, and try to write songs too, haha.
Thank you, and please keep writing until you cannot anymore, please!
Jerry Merkel
Junior at Brewster High, NY
Zachary J. Moore on October 19, 2011 at 10:50 pm
Well Mr. Whitacre this song is absolutely fantastic and do you know why I know this? Not because of the beautiful chords and dissonance you have put in heart wrenching spots. Not because of the outstanding polyphonic voice leading you have put into this work. And not because of the soaring soprano lines that give me an uplifting angelic sensation. The reason is because I was listening to it while typing a paper and the song stop early and I freaked out because I thought I did something when I realized, ” Wait a tick, Eric Whitacre, if you stopped that song early because it’s not out yet you are more evil than you think” (in a joking fashion :) ) Long story short because you stopped that song early you left me wanting more which is why I know this song is absolutely beautiful. I know you hear this from everyone but congrats on this fantastic piece you have composed I love it.
Andrew on October 21, 2011 at 11:00 pm
Eric –
As a beginner composer myself, i have been studying your work fervently, trying to work out how to compose for choir, and how to get that stunning shimmering quality you seem to create so effortlessly. long story short, i can’t do it. your talent for making the most ordinary words shimmer is this soundworld of what seems to me like golden dust is just simply magnificent. And i hope nobody figures it out to be honest, because when i hear those shimmers and glistens i want to smile and say instantly ‘that’s got to be an eric whitacre peice.’
Even a word as utterly ”unchoirable” like ‘Ew’ in the Eel seems to be it’s own tiny love story. Do me a huge favour Eric and Cherish every single one of those chords. (especially the one at the end of Larov… Oh My God!!)
Jarrod Hendricks on October 22, 2011 at 5:46 am
Mr. Whitacre,
I really have a deep appreciation for your music. Being a person of great faith, your music has the holy spirit moving through each note. You can call it a warm fuzzy feeling, the golden proportion, or even setting off your G.B.I. (Goose bump indicator). :) When you began to see the deep wisdom of the text, the holy spirit was prompting you. Those promptings are a message for the people who partake in music and people around the world. I would like to make friendly suggestion, this should piece should be sung by Virtual Choir 3. As a high school choir director in Missouri your music is an inspiration to my students and I. Thank you for wonderful work that you do. I can’t wait to hear “Alleluia” in its entirety.
Many Blessings,
Jarrod Hendricks
Flora Bradshaw on October 22, 2011 at 11:01 am
Mr Whitacre,
This is absolutely beautiful, the soprano solo is simply breathtaking and really adds to how the piece touches the heavens. I am only 15, but I have a real passion for choral music and I have sung “Lux Aurumque” in my school choir. I can’t wait until I can buy this and show my choir director as I think is is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing your wonderful work, you’re an inspiration to young composers like myself!
Kind regards,
Flora Bradshaw
Justin Zang on October 25, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Eric,
This sound so amazing! I first heard October at All-State my sophomore year of High School, and was instantly hooked on your music. I don’t know if you remember me, but I sang with you last April at Avery Fisher Hall, and we spoke briefly at the following reception. Your music never ceases to amaze me and always brings such a refreshing feeling to my views of choral music. I’m so happy to have such amazing music like yours to perform and conduct. So much that I’m conducting “Sleep” this spring in a Lecture Recital Choir that I have put together. Please! Never stop writing music, because you are truly a beacon of light if a sea of grey Eric! Thank you so much for your contributions to the musical world, and I hope one day that I can sing with you again!
Cheers!
Justin Zang
Jordan Adams on October 28, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Eric,
I performed the piece “October” my junior year of high school. The piece is one of my favorites, because it does speak so well to the glory of Autumn. I just happened to click on the video for “Alleluia” and was brought to tears when I recognized the melody of “October”. This short video gave me chills; I am so eager for the full release. Through your work, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for choral work and am so grateful for the music you create. It has helped me to move through some tough times in my life. While I am also not particularly religious, I am spiritual and there is something about your pieces which reach deeply into the souls of humans. Again, for that, I am grateful. Blessed be.
Jordan
Raz on October 29, 2011 at 6:23 pm
This should be featured for any of the future EWVC projects…I already like how it sounds!!!
Jessie on November 15, 2011 at 1:36 am
Hello!
This is piece is fantastic! I love every aspect of it! But I was just wondering why you made it exactly like the Orchestra piece October? Not to offend, you don’t understand how many times this pieces has brought me closer to my spirituality than going to church, but I was just wondering (:
Kenneth Starr on November 18, 2011 at 1:24 am
This is pure beauty. The first time listening to it, the tears just flowed. The reverb of the church setting perfectly accents the beauty of the chords. That moment the chord hangs in the air, is pure peace.
Themba on December 14, 2011 at 10:29 pm
Mr Whitacre, i have to admit you have done it again. This piece is absolutely beautiful. I’m a HUGE fan of your music. And for me, and in fact a lot of my peers as young musicians to listen to a piece like this, and others like October and Nox Aurumque, it is really inspiring. Also specifically for me, as a chorister, hearing amazing choirs singing this amazing music is truly, well… Amazing!! I was just wondering though, if there is possibly a tour of Southern Africa somewhere in your schedule. I have been dying to see a live performance, and I’m sure there is also a multitude of your supporters that feel the same way yet haven’t had the opportunity to.
The Brit on January 10, 2012 at 9:26 am
I had a really tough day. It’s 4:00am and I’m contemplating my future…job…family…life purpose. I just listened to ‘Alleluia’. I really needed to hear this song today. In a brief moment, my thoughts shifted from my daunting present because of the inspired majesty and amalgamation of notes in ‘Alleluia’. Eric, I have sung in choral ensembles in both Canada and the U.S. and hope to share a note or two with you someday. Thank you for lending your spectacular, yet humble gift, with the world. Clearly, you were chosen for this moment in time. From one music lover to another, STAY YOUR COURSE, and thank you.
Anjanette on January 12, 2012 at 3:45 am
Will there be recording of this piece soon?
Lydia J on January 16, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Eric, when are you going to premiere this piece in the UK? My choir (Northamptonshire County Youth Choir) are singing this at the moment and I have truly fallen in love with it! I really want to hear it live, especially as I can’t go to the London concert on Feb 1st which has made me very sad!
You are a genius of a composer and I have cried at so many of your works as they are like something from heaven. Alleluia is possibly your best yet as I love the simplicity of the lyrics and the beautiful soprano solo at the beginning. Keep writing such great works!
Eric on January 16, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Lydia, sadly, we will be performing it on our Feb. 1st concert! If I may ask, are you singing MY Alleluia with the Northhamptonshire Youth Choir?
Lydia J on January 17, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Yes we are singing your Alleluia! Really can’t wait until you release the recording of it as we only have two short clips on YouTube to go by at the moment! We never perform in a concert without singing at least one of your pieces.
annemie on January 21, 2012 at 8:03 am
dear Eric,
This is so beautiful!!! I hope that the first concert next month will be a great succes!
I’ve got a gift-cheque from my niece so I could buy the scores of new editions of your music and I’ll hope I can buy the cd (signed again ?) in your webshop!!!! Can’t wait untill it’s here!!!
annemie
Ryan Capozzo on January 28, 2012 at 7:03 pm
Dear Eric,
You’re cool.
Dolce,
Ryan Capozzo
( I hope that I made you laugh )
Karol Gacek on February 2, 2012 at 9:34 pm
I am absolutely in love with this piece..and well..I’m in love with your work. I requested to my choir director that we do one of your pieces in the choir I’m in currently, because I’ve heard the other choir at my school doing your other pieces like Lux Aurumque and Sleep, and I’ve fallen in love with those pieces the first time I heard them. So I bugged my director to have us do one of your pieces even though I’m in an all women’s choir. We are now doing The Seal Lullaby and it sounds great! Anyways, I just wanted to say how much I love your work, and I’m only 17. And it’s funny, because I love this music as much as I love my heavy metal. You’re just simply incredible.
Bethany on February 14, 2012 at 5:00 am
This is sooooooo from October! :3 I love this! :) My band played October on my junior year & got a 1!!!! If it wasn’t for my band director being obsessed with you in your music then I wouldn’t know anything about you because I was in the band/choir room for 6/8 of my classes…haha But anyways VERY pretty! & I also LOVED Paradise Lost: Shadow & Wings! I went and saw it in CA back on June 25th I will never forget that day! <3 I hope to watch more of your musical theaters in the near future
Brady Allred on February 18, 2012 at 9:52 am
I have been fortunate to be a part of Bakersfield College Chamber Singers, as a Tenor 1, under the direction of Ron Kean. I believe you know him. While there, I sang Sleep, Lux Arumque, Hebrew Love Songs, and A Boy and A Girl. Then I went to BYU-I and sang with the collegiate singers under Randall Kempton where we sang A Little Man in a Hurry but I first got my taste of your music with October when I played trumpet in High School. Your music confounds me but the choral version of “October” is the piece that I’m looking forward to the most. And one more thing, Little Man in a Hurry… How? I mean… we were presented with that piece and I didn’t believe that it could ever be done and that it was a short coming in your phenomenal repertoire but then it clicked and it became one of my favorite songs you’ve ever written. Thank you for what you do! Your music heals and comforts me whenever something goes wrong. I’m so grateful just to be able to sing your music. Thank you!!
Brady Allred