Music>SSA Choral
She Weeps Over Rahoon
She Weeps Over Rahoon was commissioned by Dr. Jocelyn Kaye Jensen in 1993. In typical composer fashion it wasn’t even close to finished on the day we premiered it.
The singers all had their parts (the same parts that now appear in print) and the English horn player had his part (also the same), and we all had the same number of measures. I had been accompanying the rehearsals, though, and would try different piano parts every time, and the premiere ended up being one big piano improvisation. I even had to go back and listen to the recording of the performance to transcribe some of my playing. Never again. Personally, I had a blast, but I think all of the other musicians were scared to death that I would play something wacky and we would all be over the cliff.
The poetry, by James Joyce, is astonishingly beautiful, and while writing this piece I stumbled upon a choral effect that has become a favorite of mine. Half of the singers sing the written pitches pianissimo, and the other half whisper the same text and rhythms. The effect is a haunting, breathless choral sound that always makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
She Weeps Over Rahoon is dedicated to Dr. Jocelyn Kaye Jensen and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Women’s Chorus, the bravest souls with whom I have ever improvised.
She Weeps Over Rahoon
Rain on Rahoon falls softly, softly falling,
Where my dark lover lies.
Sad is his voice that calls me, sadly calling,
At grey moonrise.Love, hear thou how soft,
How sad his voice is ever calling,
Ever unanswered, and the dark rain falling,
Then as now.Dark too our hearts, O love, shall lie and cold
As his sad heart has lain
Under the moongrey nettles, the black mould
And muttering rain.James Joyce, 1882-1942
12 Comments
Amy on April 21, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I would love to know what goes on in your head.
Does brilliant music just… occur to you?
My jealousy is too great for words.
James Conces on July 1, 2010 at 4:48 am
Is that an English Horn? Very similar thematic sound to the intro of John Mackey's "Strange Humors." I love it!
Rachael on July 4, 2010 at 8:31 am
This song was my first introduction to your compositions. We had a new director and after glancing at this piece I thought he was mad to expect it from our choir. After hearing it we threw ourselves into it to try and make it perfect. I fell in love with all the Whitacre compositions after that. All thanks to this wonderful piece!
Joy Sherman on July 9, 2010 at 8:07 am
Can you tell me how I can purchase a recording of a high-quality performance of She Weeps Over Rahoon by Whitacre?
I would like not too much vibrato.
Thanks.
Joy Sherman
Anika Goslen on July 13, 2010 at 10:04 am
This was also my first introduction to your music — it was my sophomore year of high school. My chorus meets in a tiny trailer, and I remember going to the gym during lunch to practice so we could hear the resonance. I love the use of whispers and rounds in this piece. Since then we've successfully sung Sleep, Five Hebrew Love Songs, and A Boy And A Girl and I absolutely love your work.
Zshael Brooks on September 23, 2010 at 3:07 pm
This was my first introduction to your music! i sang it last year, as a sophomore in high school (i am now a junior) when i first glanced at the piece i thought my teacher must be nuts! but soon i fell in love with the piece. then right now, i'm a junior an my chior is singing Sleep My Child. i have gone head over heals for the song! it is the most beautiful thing i have ever heard and the chior sounds lovely! thank you so much for writing such beautiful music, it not only has deepened my love for music but also gave me passion. your one in a million.
thanks for everything,
Zshael.
Kate on February 28, 2011 at 11:06 am
I was a member of the Texas All-State Women's Choir my junior year in 2009 whenever we sang this at TMEA and throughout the audition process. This is most definitely one of my favorite pieces of music, along with Sleep My Child. It's simultaneously eerie and beautiful. Absolutely phenomenal.
peter on March 25, 2011 at 3:02 am
very nice!
Cori on May 23, 2011 at 12:24 pm
I adore this song. My choir teacher Ms. Wieland is in love with it as well and had us sing it for our preview concert. Thank you for amazing music.
makayla on October 23, 2011 at 8:29 pm
omg we are singing this song and Eric is coming to my school tomorrow. sooo awesome. and excited!!!!! :)
makayla swinnie on October 29, 2011 at 1:55 pm
lolzz thanks to eric whitacre… yo we killed this song. great performance the other night…loved it :)
larosa on January 18, 2012 at 5:33 am
This music is very peaceful I like it there are no other songs that sound so mysterious. Soothing and graceful it feels the mind with clear thoughts. I assume it does to mine. I love it.