Music>SATB Choral
little tree
While in my second year at Juilliard (1996) I received a phone call from Vance George, the legendary conductor of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. He wanted to know if I might be interest in a commission for their big Christmas concert, something that would feature their amazing accompanist Marc Shapiro and the ‘smaller’ choir of 80 singers. The only catch was that it was now the middle of October, and could I please finish the piece by the first of November.
I took the commission, of course (how could you say no to Vance George?) and my future wife Hila found for me the timeless E.E. Cummings poem ‘little tree’. I started writing as fast as I could and noticed something very strange happening on the page: I was writing with a completely different voice. Part of it was the nature of the poem, but most of it was residue from my first year at Juilliard. During that time I had studied composition with David Diamond, a notoriously old-school composer whose style is closest to early works of Barber and Bernstein, and I had become obsessed with intricate counterpoint and that very American sound from the 1940′s. It all ended up in the music somehow; so strange how these things work themselves out…
Anyway, I killed myself finishing the piece on time and then all of the musicians went on strike. The work didn’t receive it’s premiere for another year (1997), and Vance surprised me an hour before the performance and asked me if I would like to conduct. The San Francisco Symphony Chorus. In Davies Hall. With 3000 people in the audience. Oh yes…
little tree is dedicated with joy to my little sister, Kari.
little tree
little tree
little silent Christmas tree
you are so little
you are more like a flowerwho found you in the green forest
and were you very sorry to come away?
see i will comfort you
because you smell so sweetlyi will kiss your cool bark
and hug you safe and right
just as your mother would,
only don’t be afraidlook the spangles
that sleep all the year in a dark box
dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,
the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads,put up your little arms
and i’ll give them all to you to hold
every finger shall have its ring
and there won’t be a single place dark or unhappythen when you’re quite dressed
you’ll stand in the window for everyone to see
and how they’ll stare!
oh but you’ll be very proudand my little sister and I will take hands
and looking up at our beautiful tree
we’ll dance and sing
“Noel Noel”E.E. Cummings, 1894 – 1962
14 Comments
Courtney Lea K on April 14, 2010 at 3:26 am
I remember hearing this song soon after I discovered your music. I absolutely love the begining piano accompaniment of this the most while the women are singing. So peaceful but at the same time there are still clashy tender moments. Gah! So wonderful!
Ian McDougal on April 22, 2010 at 8:27 am
This is one of my very favorite pieces of yours. The opening is just so incredibly beautiful. Furthermore, I love how it incorporates jazz influences; moments where jazz crosses over into the classical sphere are some of my favorites in music. Also, the part of "hope, faith, life, love" where you quote this piece is so nice…:)
Edgar Sandoval on January 29, 2011 at 7:17 am
Actually, I think "hope, faith, life, love" quotes "little tree" not the other way around…
little tree was written in '96
hope, faith, life, love was written in '99
Marlene Moon on May 6, 2010 at 11:02 am
Please tell me who published this piece. I love it and my conductor husband would like to have our community choir perform this piece (Little Tree) Christmas 2010. Thanks so much, Eric. (Water NIght) still gives me chills each time I hear it.
Chris on June 21, 2010 at 3:07 am
This is my new favorite of yours. Gawd what a beautful piece. I tear up at Noel Noel EVERTIME I hear it. The explosion of Joy is amazing and overwhelming. Thanks so much for writing this.
Sam on July 30, 2010 at 3:00 pm
The first time I heard this piece, I got this great big stupid grin on my face when they sang "Noel Noel." So whimsical and joyful. Just wonderful. It's so refreshing to hear Christmas music that isn't sappy. :D
Eli Salazar on August 13, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Today was the first time I heard this song! I followed along with the lyrics – It is one of the most beautiful choral pieces with piano accompaniment I've ever heard. I especially love the ending "Noel Noel"!! Very moving – Oh and I already bought the sheet music so that I can really sing along (it's on the way LOL)
Love your work Eric!
Keep them coming!! :-D
Julienne on August 14, 2010 at 1:51 pm
What a sweet poem! I love it!
Georgie on October 14, 2010 at 4:31 am
For most of my life the Christmas cards I have sent have had some or all of this poem. And now to hear it in this amazing piece makes me so happy.
Jacki on December 2, 2010 at 4:18 pm
The chamber choir at my university performed this piece at our most recent concert (Earlier tonight, actually).
I hadn't heard it before, but, like many other modern chorus students, I hear, "This piece is by Eric Whitacre" and I'm instantly thrilled to death.
It was incredible. I feel like I held my breath the entire time.
I really want to perform this one day.
Claudia on January 15, 2011 at 10:25 am
What a sweet poem—I loved it even before I stumbled across your setting today. All those lush chords take it to new an entirely new level.
Sam Hubbard on April 28, 2011 at 9:37 pm
I'm sure this should let you all get an idea of how much time I spend on this website:
Has anyone else noticed, that in the Briham Young University Singers recording of this (top of the page), the final "Noel" section begins at more or less exactly five minutes in?
Could you imagine the atmosphere of performing this piece at 23:55 on Christmas Eve, and the chime of the midnight bells coinciding exactly with the low chime on the piano, as people usher in the new Christmas Day, singing "Noel, Noel"? If I'm ever lucky enough to perform this piece, that is how I would want it done =P
Scott on June 2, 2011 at 11:44 am
I love this piece. The joyous "Noel Noel" is just breathtaking. I love that the Brigham Young University Singers recording was used. They are a fantastic group and under the direction of Dr. Ronal Staheli….can't get any better than that! Of course, I am a little bias being a Singer's alum!
Cheers
Sarah on November 26, 2011 at 8:35 pm
This song reminded me of me and my grandpa on Christmas time. He’s passed now but he was so joyful around Christmas and it was a tradition to put up the Christmas tree together. I miss him dearly but every time I heart this song, I tear up a little and I feel warm.
Thank you Eric Whitacre. You truly are a marvelous man.
You make my Christmas time a little better. Every year:)