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.”
Though he had received no formal training before the age of 18, his first experiences singing in college choir changed his life, and he completed his first concert work, Go, Lovely, Rose, at the age of 21. Eric went on to the Juilliard School, earning his Master of Music degree and studying with Pulitzer Prize- and Oscar-winning composer John Corigliano.
Many of Whitacre's works have entered the standard choral and symphonic repertories and have become the subject of several recent scholarly works and doctoral dissertations. His works Water Night, Cloudburst, Sleep, Lux Aurumque and A Boy and a Girl are among the most popular choral works of the last decade, and his Ghost Train, Godzilla Eats Las Vegas, and October have achieved equal success in the symphonic wind community. To date, Whitacre's published works have received thousands of performances and have sold well over 750,000 copies worldwide. He has received composition awards from the Barlow International Composition Competition, the American Choral Directors Association and the American Composers Forum. In 2001, Whitacre became the youngest recipient ever awarded the coveted Raymond C. Brock commission by the American Choral Directors Association.
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.
Most recently, Whitacre has received acclaim for Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings, a cutting edge musical combining trance, ambient and techno electronica with choral, cinematic, and operatic traditions. Winner of the ASCAP Harold Arlen award, this musical also gained Whitacre the prestigious Richard Rodgers Award for most promising musical theater composer. Following its sold-out run, the most recent production earned 10 nominations at the 2007 Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, including one for Best World Premiere Musical.
Mr. Whitacre lives in Los Angeles with his wife, celebrated soprano Hila Plitmann, and their son.
Alleluia
Eric Whitacre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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Eric Whitacre's "Alleluia" is a choral composition with a simple yet powerful message. The word "alleluia" is repeated multiple times throughout this piece, which translates to "praise ye, the Lord." While the repetitions may seem monotonous at first, they offer a deeper contemplation and reflection on the glory of God. The sound and resonance of the voices fill the space and give a feeling of awe and reverence.
Whitacre brings a modern twist to a traditional religious song, with his use of orchestral elements and multiple harmonies that delicately layer upon each other. The voices glide through the melody, with moments of swelling and receding, creating an ethereal experience. This piece is ideal for choral groups that are ready to delve into performing a work that requires precision in vocal control, dynamics, and tonality.
Overall, "Alleluia" is a powerful and simple ode to the glory of God. The stark simplicity and honest reverence in the repeated line "Alleluia" reminds us of the endless wonders that the divine offers, leaving the audience in a state of meditative contemplation.
Line by Line Meaning
Alleluia
Praise and worship to God
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Continued celebration of God's glory
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Rejoicing in God's greatness
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Acknowledgement of God's power
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Giving thanks for God's blessings
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Exalting God's majesty
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Proclaiming God's love
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Expressing gratitude for God's mercy
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Glorifying God's name
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Honoring God's faithfulness
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Magnifying God's goodness
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Celebrating God's salvation
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Adoring God's holiness
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Marveling at God's grace
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Lifting up God's presence
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Extolling God's sovereignty
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Blessing God's name
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Magnifying God's power
Writer(s): Eric Whitacre
Contributed by Claire O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@joshgirndt4896
Geez, I've had this on repeat for, what, 6 hours now? No wonder the views counter went up so much today.
Edit: I think I've watched this over 200 times in the past week. Maybe I have a problem?
Edit 2: Here I am again, finals week is a great time to listen to this one again. On repeat. For a few hours. Good times.
Edit 3: this addition is being added during summer of 2020, and we all know what that means. The peace this song brings is something I think we all need right now.
Edit 4: 11 hours remain before a major final assignment is due, and I've barely begun. I'm projected to graduate in less than a month, and this project is my final major barrier which will determine if I get to walk across that stage. It's time to focus again, with some Eric Whitaker in the background.
@jordanpowellerc
One time I was staying at a house on the beach. At night I put my headphones in and walked down to the water, listening to this song. Gazing out over the ocean, which felt endless in the dark. The waves washing gently over my feet. The stars glittered overhead, and it almost seemed to me as though they were singing this piece to God. I felt like laughing and crying all at once. Definitely one of the most beautiful moments of my life.
@MIZZMARQUEZ559
I can imagine the feeling :) 💛
@reptarien
good imagination
@farelimm
Are you an INFP?
@jordanpowellerc
I'm not sure. Last MBTI test I took said INTP, but I've definitely developed my feeling over the years.
@farelimm
Oh that's cool, I'm an INFP and i just really related to your post
@danieldimarinomusic7754
This choir knows exactly how to sing this piece. A lot of choirs would make the mistake of singing these types of pieces with a classical tone quality and a lot of vibrato. What makes Whitacre's music so amazing is, when sung correctly, it has a sort of ancient, pure sound quality that is quite difficult to master. What an amazing piece of music!
@jolson88
+Daniel DiMarino Music "Ancient, pure sound quality" is such a great way of putting it. It feels so timeless. I connect emotionally quite a bit performing music or listening to it and it's like Eric's music surpasses all my logic centers and hits me in such a primitive and powerful way. As cheesy as it sounds, it is almost like different parts of my body are joining in song with the music, reverberating with it, celebrating its existence.
@AugustBreak
Without the exaggerated vowels and excessive vibrato it tends to be easier to tune a song especially something like this. It's fantastic reading and direction.
@MelodyMaker365
+Daniel DiMarino Music I agree. My university chorus just performed this and all through practice, my instructor told us to sing in all straight tone, no vibrato. I now see why.