My High School Chamber Choir is going to perform this piece for a Festival, and there is actually a very deep, profound meaning behind the words. The song is in Spanish, but the English translation almost had me in tears the first time I read it.
I think it would be really great if the original and translated lyrics were in the description... Just saying.
today we played cloudburst (transcribed for band) i <3 eric whitacre. sometimes the music he writes makes you tear up from the beauty. other times you feel exilherated from the energetic and sometimes crazyness/wierdness of the music. ever heard "godzilla eats las vegas" (hilarious, slightly obnoxious, and energetic) or "ghost train"(dramatic, dark, and creepy) by him? i love how he can write to so many different extreme styles of music so well.
Why do you people tend to argue with someone through text, who is also someone you've never met in their life? Just listen to the **cking music and keep bad compliments to yourself.
@apingit Did I say I considered children's books to be great literature? No, I didn't. You can only take comparisons so far. But if you're asking, yes, I do consider some children's books to be great. It's not about how complicated and advanced the storylines are, its about the message that is sent. But in any case, you have your opinion, and I"ll have mine.
@foxtrot1114 What exactly is the great/enlightening/profound message that is being sent here? Sending some beautiful or sentimental message is one thing but that function is generally precluded from a meaningful definition of "Art", especially non-vocal music. For example, say you consider Mozart's piano sonatas to be great music/art, then what would, say, his 12th's exact message be?
@apingit One of the lines in the song (translated from Spanish) means "But tell me, burnt earth, is there no water? / Only blood, only dust, / only naked footsteps on the thorns"
It's actually very great/enlightening/profound song. If you understand what it's saying.
@xXthe0dark0abyssXx Well, we were having a discussion about the music, not the poem the music is set to (which he didn't write btw). And further more, those "profound" lines sound like some kind of cheap rip off of The Wasteland...
@apingit I am aware that he didn't write it, it was written by Octavio Paz.
But can you honestly not hear how well this is composed?
Besides, wouldn't the poem be set to music, not the other way around?
But really, in my opinion Whitacre did a wonderful job in building up the "storm", before letting it down again. You may not agree, but I'm sure there are plenty of people willing to argue with you about this.
@apingit all music nerd bullshit aside, you can like whatever you want but two facts remain:1. your listening to his music. 2. If it was as easy and simplistic to write as you are suggesting you would be famous, but you're not.
@Jordanr136 LOL I take you don't study much art history do you... and no I'm not listening to it. Some moron linked it as the greatest thing ever so I checked out, was disappointed and commented, and in the process apparently offended the legions of New Age fanboys out there. I just argue because they replied to me.
Ahhhh. We're singing this in my Cecilians choir at the spring concert. I am so excited. I love all of Eric Whitacre's music. If you guys love him, you should get his pandora station, it plays a lot of music just like his. :)
But yeah, as I said, I am extremely excited to do this. GREAT composing. <3
There are not words for how beautiful this is. I can't get over how he so completely paints the most beautiful pictures with his music. It just moves people--to tears, to laughter, to whatever. It's incredible and wow, this song is just---beyond wonderful. Definitely closed my eyes.
A lot of people here are talking about how "harmonically ingenious" this is and whatnot, it's pretty weird. Don't get me wrong this is very pretty, but it is not ingenious. The effects are very nice but they have been used before, but as for harmonically brilliant, PLEASE have you ever listened to contemporary classical music before in your life?Straight form the liner notes: "it is
fundamentally conservative music, with few surprises or
@apingit Its still gorgeous. I would consider almost any music ingenious when it is is listened to by millions of people. It obviously has some appeal. I have definitely listened to contemporary classical music BTW.
@apingit Let me clarify for you a second. I was not talking about secular popular music, but rather classical music. I'm aware this is not exactly contemporary classical. Something more along the lines of Schoenberg, Babbitt, Messiaen, Boulez, or Crumb would exemplify that genre. However, something about it is appealing to the masses, so how about we not be ignorant. Thanks.
@soccerfool9 This isn't contemporary classical music by a long shot. It's not even classical music. This is "popular secular music" that just happens to be instrumental, whoopdie do.
Instrumental does not qualify as classical music. Classical music is a time period anyways ending in the early 1800s, this is far from that, and further yet from all that art music that has come since. How about we not be ignorant. Thanks.
@apingit Wow, if we want to seriously get into musical analysis, yes it is not classical music. Most people consider anything instrumental to be classical, so I figured you were one of those people. Sorry. This is modern music if we really want to be technical. What would be an example of modern art music to you? Also, do you have anything published or any credentials that even give you the justification to make such rude comments about a successful composers music?
@soccerfool9 LOL this I believe would be called contemporary as the most general description, if I was looking for a more specif I might say New Age. An example of contemporary art music? Carter, Gavin Bryars, Eric Moe, Penderecki, even Johnny Greenwood's non-Radiohead music. Is it really considered rude now to call someone's music "not genius?" Interesting, but where are your credentials to call it genius. And has said before, being popular doesn't make it good.
@apingit Its only contemporary for now. We are in the modern music age. Also, I never called it genius, only ingenious. Thanks. This is contemporary art music. A genre can have many different composers, even if you do not like them. Now how about we both get over ourselves and calm down.
@soccerfool9 "This is contemporary art music" it's not, it's pop no matter how you look at it, whether I like it or not. Also, as a side note I think the modern music era ended sometime around the 70's. You could make an argument we are in the postmodern music era and this would indeed exemplify it as a return to traditionalism/simplicity. I suppose you consider the transiberian orchestra to be contemporary art music along with Enya and Lady Gaga.
@apingit I do not really consider Gaga, Enya, or Transiberian Orchestra to be contemporary art music. It is true that it is hard to define what era we are in. I mean, the contemporary music era does not exist. Contemporary art music can not be popular?
@soccerfool9 So you don't consider that to be art music but you do consider this to be? Weird, there is virtually no difference in information content. Contemporary art music can be popular, though Pop music is very rarely art music, it just recycles and dumbs down artists' techniques, which is exactly what we see here. Clapping as rain is found in high school choir pieces the world over, hardly new.
Classical music means two things - the classical period that encompasses most of the 18th century, and the broader definition of all Western Art Music from the Renaissance to today. So, in that broader sense, this *is* classical music. And the music of Gaga and company is popular music, not art music (and that's not to say it isn't art). Don't know the difference? Look it up.
But, who really CARES? Stop this stupid argument and enjoy the music.
What here is dumbing down any technique? Snapping (not clapping) used to represent rain isn't new, but if you're going to tell me this is not an original piece of music because it recycles pre-existing ideas, you should also tell me that almost every composer who's ever used a perfect cadence is also unoriginal. If your standard for art is that it must use only original ideas with no allusions to or recognition of past art, then I feel very, very sorry for you.
@colourfulwithaU This ISN'T classical music by your definition because it ISN'T art music. You may want to believe that because it makes you feel good to do so, so sophisticated or something. I am not saying that recycling old ideas makes you unoriginal, he was the one called it ingenious not me. If your idea of art is that it has to be the most accessible sounding, have virtually nothing new to say, and appeal to the greatest audience, I feel very very sorry for you.
Accessibility doesn't make art music, no. But if you think that accessibility detracts from the quality or meaning of a work of art, then you must be either a troll or an idiot. Debussy, Mozart, Liszt, Handel, and Palestrina are all more accessible than Whitacre, in their predictability, their recycling of old ideas, and yet they are all brilliant composers of WAM. Are you going to tell me that the Goldberg Variations are not art music, because they appeal to a large audience?
@colourfulwithaU I'm going to tell you this isn't. You want to think this is the greatest thing ever, you want to think this breaks the mold, you want to think this opens a path to the future of music whatever, fine, I don't. By the way, the only thing that makes Mozart's Dissonance Quartet predictable, by the way, is time. Few understood it on first hearing, just like Beethoven's Ninth. Everyone understood this the first time, and yawned.
No, I don't think this is the greatest thing ever. But I do like it. And I do think that it is an extension of the ongoing rebellion against traditional Western harmony. I like the sound of dissonant tone clusters, and I like when they resolve momentarily into basic triads. Whitacre is good at controlling tension and release, and that (among other things) is what makes him a good composer. Not his 'innovation'.
@colourfulwithaU lol wut. Not only is there no tension at all here, unless you are fresh form the womb, but there is no rebellion against conventional harmony even his publishers don't agree with you there. Jesus Christ if only Schoenberg was here to hear this drivel described as rebellious. You win man, 10/10 for trolling lol. Stay edgy bro...
If you don't think that throwing in a natural 2nd and a sharped 4th in with a major triad isn't tense, then what is? Just because it's not completely atonal, doesn't mean there's no tension. A V7 chord is tense because there are dissonant intervals in it, and they require resolution. The same principle applies, and is felt, in Whitacre's music. If you can't hear it, I would question whether or not you're deaf.
@colourfulwithaU Natural 2nd, sharpened 4th? Have you ever heard of Jazz? A V7 isn't tense, it's not rebellious, it sounds good but it isn't tense. If you think this is non conventional, and by the way Jazz harmony is most certainly conventional, I would question whether you have heard music before. Grow up and listen to more than the radio.
@apingit this is the best reply to colorful's comments. Ironically he didn't realize that the word "colorful" is a much better word to describe this music than anything he has said.
@colourfulwithaU Guess what the new Adam Sandler movie is better than any movie I will ever make, I guess it's genius by your logic. The world must truly be wondrous to you with so many genius things around. Again either troll or retarded 10/10 either way.
I don't know where you're getting the idea that I think that anything popular must be good. The fact that I happen to like a popular composer does not automatically make me a slave to popular opinion. The fact that I disagree with you does not mean I am retarded. Grow up.
@colourfulwithaU You are the one choose to call me out long after my argument with another person had ended not the other way around. I assume you are hurt that some disagreed with the "genius" assessment of this trivial music. Maybe you are angry because the music you use to call yourself a "sophisticated listener" was called out as being not so much. Maybe I am wrong all together all I am saying is that this is pleasant to listen to like any other New Age, just not genius,
Yes, I've heard of jazz. I play jazz. And WAM. Whether something is tense or not depends on the context. In jazz, dominant 7th chords are often used not as V, and because of that they lose their tension; if everything is dissonant, then nothing is dissonant. However, when you're listening to classical music, V7 sounds like it requires resolution. Tension refers to the need to resolve, not the harshness of the chord. cont:
Also, if you know so much about jazz, then you should know why sharp 4 is harsher here than in any jazz context; jazz musicians don't often (or ever) voice the 5th of a chord. The crunchiness of that sharp 4th is there because it clashes by a semitone with the 5th. It wouldn't be there in jazz, which is why it can be used so often and not hurt people's ears.
Also, I don't listen to the radio. Stop making dumb assumptions.
@colourfulwithaU Yes it depends on the context, however, the context in which a v7 is tense at all ended about 100 years ago so I am not sure I understand the rebellion in it. Further more a sharp fourth with a major second included in the chord is nothing more than a major eleventh pretty standard pretty easy on the ears even with a voiced fifth. I guess that would sound rather edgy if all you listen to is pre-bach and new age choral music.
Again, you're assuming that tension is dependent on ugliness or harshness. I'll repeat: tension depends on the need to resolve. It's possible to write music in which a V7 (not used here anyways, it's just an example of a potentially tense chord) does not seem to require resolution - ie, a blues, or a piece based off the phrygian dominat mode - but even in some music written today, it does.
@colourfulwithaU This simple explanation of tension only accounts for if you are unconscious of all that has come before and most importantly ignore that true Art is a historical thing. You can call it what you want, the tensest music you have ever heard, but it isn't art because of it nor does it push any boundaries as you claim it does.
LOL. It doesn't bother me that you don't consider it rebellious, but if you don't think this is art, you must have a very "interesting" definition of what art is.
Again, when I say this is tense, that has nothing to do with the time period or pushing of boundaries. It's that even the 21-year-old Whitacre was *very* well able to come up with combinations of chords that move very smoothly between points of tension and points of release, which is the essence of all tonal composition.
@colourfulwithaU What bothers me is that people are quick to label any instrumental/choral music ingenious simply because they can understand it. Also that you consider any kind of tonal music to be pushing boundaries rather conservative and a return to a simpler past which is what it is. It's kind of funny and kind of sad too.
I don't consider any tonal music to be pushing boundaries. -____- When did I say that? This is tonal, sure, but it's not traditionally tonal (TRADITIONAL tonality is what I said this was continuing the rebellion against, in case you didn't read that comment). It uses all sorts of techniques (modal mixture, common-tone harmony) that were and are used by composers who have tried and are still trying to expand what tonal music is.
@apingit Actually much of Whitacre's music is very tonal. In many of his works he uses little to no accidentals, in contrast to older classical music which used it far more often.
@apingit "Also that you consider any kind of tonal music to be pushing boundaries rather conservative and a return to a simpler past which is what it is." You imply Whitacre's music is atonal, which much of it isn't.
As for the major 11th, if it's functioning as a VI chord and then moves to i (which happens here), that IS tension and release, in the same way that V7-I is, no matter when it was written. Whether it's edgy and original or not isn't relevant.
OH, and the named of the chord extensions (9, 11, etc) comes from the fact that they are spread out, above the octave. So, when you have them all bunched in together, as Whitacre loves to do in so much of his music, that's not an extended chord, that's a tone cluster.
Also, just FYI you would technically have to indicate the sharped 11th in that chord, because it's not assumed on a chord chart.
@colourfulwithaU This really bothers you doesn't it, that not everyone considers this simple music to be as "rebellious"(your word for it not mine) as you do. See my comment above from the liner notes them selves "fundamentally conservative music, with few surprises or innovations harmonically or rhythmically." You can project on to it all the innovation and complexity you want but in the end not even the composer himself agrees with you.
Whitacre is only expanding on the very, very, very old tradition of choral WAM. The fact that you don't like this particular composer does not suddenly force him out of that tradition.
Also, I'm arguing even though I don't care because I'm on break from school and work and I'm bored.
@soccerfool9 Hopefully you don't truly believe that... So much low quality music is popular. Look up "axis of awesome 4 chords" on youtube. It's a quick summary of one very obvious side of popular music requiring no talent at all.
@iamnubetube I know, I know. I have seen it. I'm was not talking about popular secular music however. Sorry I did not clarify. I was talking about classical music. It does require talent though. Maybe not ingenuity, but definitely talent.
@apingit It doesn't need to be genius or have surprises and innovations. It is the feeling that you get from the piece that counts. Harmonic brilliance is great but the fact that something this simple and linear can be this beautiful is genius itself.
@apingit Why is it that some people feel the need to correct the opinions of others? How about shutting your mouth and keeping your opinions to yourself? Have other composers composed beautiful vocal music? Yes. How about sitting back and enjoying the music and if you don't keep your mouth shut? Just a thought.
@BewSkeet I can't imagine why this is directed at me. My very first comment was directed to no one, it was on the video. Every comment I made after was in response to someone doing exactly what you are crying about: commenting on my opinion. Oh well, good to see irrational, grammatically retarded, hypocrisy is alive and well.
So, i had to choose between winning the state swim meet this year, or being in all state choir. Originally i was gonna swim, but we are performing this song and it changed my mind. The power of music.
Beyond all the special effects the music itself is pretty vapid. It's the same kind of piece that all high school ensembles perform, just much more polished.
I was speechless the first time I watched and absorbed this.
This is along with sleep the 1000th time i have sat + watched this and become overwhelmed with every imaginable emotion.
Listening to this Live is one of my goals in life. As a die hard Rock Fan I haven't been moved as much listening to music since the first time I came under Zeppelin's spell 30+ years ago.
wooooooow AMAZING tears coming down my face and shivers over my whole body that is real music..best thing ever made my day feel fantastic after listing to this.
@davethedrummer1 I could also never have a legion of drooling fans who get butthurt when I insult somebody who doesn't give two shits what I or anyone thinks
@davethedrummer1 interesting point you have there: do you believe this is talent or skill? Mr. Whitacre does have quite an ear for tonal and harmonic complexity, and I've never once heard any work that rivaled his in that respect. Do you think that's a result of training? environment? genetics?
@splyntr100 Talent like this is God-given. No question about it. Of course he has worked to master his skills, but his potential is far greater than many, many people.
@maiwork6666666 well we would all like you to come back in a year with a completely original piece that is as tonally complex and ingenious as Cloudburst. I have been composing music for (not too long) about four years. I was a performer for some time before that. I bought the sheet music to this, read it, and burned all of my original work because this completely raped anything I had written. I bid you good luck.
@splyntr100 Well I write shor stories and from one artist to another I have got to say that that was a move pulled straight out of the retard bag. I have read quite a few works that have changed my life and, on occasion, my philosophy. Does that mean i should just forsake all of my previous work because it's not as good? Would you ever watch a porn, see a guy with a massive cock, and chop your own off out of shame? To be honest I wouldn't put it past you.
At 6:08, when there hands come down, even though that whole phrase was awesome, when they brought down their hands, the way it looked was amazing, their arms looked like rain falling down, that was so sick.
The first time i heart this, it changed the fabric of my soul. So many beautiful people and voices coming together. It's one of the sweetest sounding things on this world.
I'm so amazed how he was able to even think of using snapping fingers to make the sound of rain. I think that it goes without saying that the rest of the music is pure genius. But wow! So clever!
@Flumphinator I noticed that people who don't believe in god are extremely rude. i personally chose not to believe in God but I don't go around being a smartass to people, let him think whatever he wants
When theres the murmuring it almost frightens me. I listen to Eric Whitacre when i sleep and it always wakes me up. its the dark side of nature mixed with the beauty. truley pure and beautiful. A+
@Flumphinator can you prove that God doesn't exist? can you tell me with a straight face that it's impossible for there to be any universally governing entity, and then back it up with hard facts? Do you consider yourself knowledgeable regarding any of the sciences? if so, you are an oblivious hypocrite; I simply cannot fathom that anyone so aware of the beauty, complexity, and greatness of everything around us would not believe in a higher entity.
However, I also cannot fathom that anyone with any sense would interpret religious texts literally. The events that they often describe are probably impossible for any human mind to grasp, and as a result these texts are written at least 60% through metaphors and symbolism. @Flumphinator, I do understand your point of view, however it is highly reactionary to outright deny God's existence altogether.
I absolutely love this song - one of my favorites. I had the great honor of singing this in the 2005 AL All State Choir. I get chills listening to it every time, especially at the thunder part. <3 Everything Eric Whitacre does.
@bingbongman001 Just to put a number that most people could perceive onto that... there are officially 90,840 drops of water in a gallon. So 1,249,230,591,283,095 / 90,840 = 13,751,988,015 gallons. There is 660,000 gallons in an olympic sized swimming pool. So 13,751,988,015 / 660,000 = 20,836.3455 olympic sized swimming pools worth of water. Did you cry that much... unlikely. And yes, I did seriously just waste my time looking all that shit up. Good day...
Legendary "come at me bro" at 7:55. Also, great performance.
eribani 2 days ago
conducter lookin like brad pitt
crownedhope 5 days ago
My High School Chamber Choir is going to perform this piece for a Festival, and there is actually a very deep, profound meaning behind the words. The song is in Spanish, but the English translation almost had me in tears the first time I read it.
I think it would be really great if the original and translated lyrics were in the description... Just saying.
xXthe0dark0abyssXx 2 weeks ago
Fantastic!!!!j'en ai des frissons!!!(chair de poule)!!!
ladomi7962 3 weeks ago 2
besonders!
elnahanna 3 weeks ago
gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
woahwoahwoahable 3 weeks ago
Sheer Beauty! Thanks for sharing!
velvetpaws999 1 month ago
today we played cloudburst (transcribed for band) i <3 eric whitacre. sometimes the music he writes makes you tear up from the beauty. other times you feel exilherated from the energetic and sometimes crazyness/wierdness of the music. ever heard "godzilla eats las vegas" (hilarious, slightly obnoxious, and energetic) or "ghost train"(dramatic, dark, and creepy) by him? i love how he can write to so many different extreme styles of music so well.
crazitaco 1 month ago
Magical!
potterfangirl91 1 month ago
Unbelievable.
fishellb 1 month ago
Pure magic at 5:30 :)
sjanderson13 1 month ago
beautiful
shanna1950 1 month ago
Bravo.
vicentico64 1 month ago
absolutely love it.
posavka11 2 months ago
Comment removed
posavka11 2 months ago
Why do you people tend to argue with someone through text, who is also someone you've never met in their life? Just listen to the **cking music and keep bad compliments to yourself.
mlr2107 2 months ago
@apingit Did I say I considered children's books to be great literature? No, I didn't. You can only take comparisons so far. But if you're asking, yes, I do consider some children's books to be great. It's not about how complicated and advanced the storylines are, its about the message that is sent. But in any case, you have your opinion, and I"ll have mine.
foxtrot1114 2 months ago
@foxtrot1114 What exactly is the great/enlightening/profound message that is being sent here? Sending some beautiful or sentimental message is one thing but that function is generally precluded from a meaningful definition of "Art", especially non-vocal music. For example, say you consider Mozart's piano sonatas to be great music/art, then what would, say, his 12th's exact message be?
apingit 1 month ago
@apingit One of the lines in the song (translated from Spanish) means "But tell me, burnt earth, is there no water? / Only blood, only dust, / only naked footsteps on the thorns"
It's actually very great/enlightening/profound song. If you understand what it's saying.
xXthe0dark0abyssXx 2 weeks ago
@xXthe0dark0abyssXx Well, we were having a discussion about the music, not the poem the music is set to (which he didn't write btw). And further more, those "profound" lines sound like some kind of cheap rip off of The Wasteland...
apingit 2 weeks ago
@apingit I am aware that he didn't write it, it was written by Octavio Paz.
But can you honestly not hear how well this is composed?
Besides, wouldn't the poem be set to music, not the other way around?
But really, in my opinion Whitacre did a wonderful job in building up the "storm", before letting it down again. You may not agree, but I'm sure there are plenty of people willing to argue with you about this.
xXthe0dark0abyssXx 2 weeks ago
I nearly teared up because it was that beautiful.
Try watching this with your eyes close, it sounds so peaceful.
TheChubbyJenny 2 months ago
It's a good piece but why is this in the medieval music playlist???
Meresortsitar 2 months ago in playlist Medieval Music
Comment removed
breathmusic 2 months ago
@apingit all music nerd bullshit aside, you can like whatever you want but two facts remain:1. your listening to his music. 2. If it was as easy and simplistic to write as you are suggesting you would be famous, but you're not.
Jordanr136 2 months ago
@Jordanr136 LOL I take you don't study much art history do you... and no I'm not listening to it. Some moron linked it as the greatest thing ever so I checked out, was disappointed and commented, and in the process apparently offended the legions of New Age fanboys out there. I just argue because they replied to me.
apingit 2 months ago
Well....
Videos over, time to put my pants back on
1234banban 2 months ago
Last choral work that made me feel so emotional was Lauridsen work -- rich, luscious sound. My goodness this is so awesome !!!
ajinx4u 2 months ago
Can anyone else see the pure amazing potential of Eric Whitacre working with E.S. Posthumus? Gives me goosebumps just imagining the music...
tschatterfox 2 months ago
2,240 people who liked this might have accidentally had the sound off while listening to Bach.
THE REAL OG
keg646 2 months ago
community being called for, sung from, envisioned & brought to life. bravo.
WIPCoaching 2 months ago in playlist More videos from vocalessence
5:49 - 6:09 few moments in music build up as much tension as this passage
fledgehog 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
no it does'nt
alverd7 3 months ago
This song is incredible! It takes so much talent to do this! Amazing job to everyone in the choir :)
equistera 3 months ago
I think, after this, I would follow him anywhere.
mimimozealia 3 months ago
Ahhhh. We're singing this in my Cecilians choir at the spring concert. I am so excited. I love all of Eric Whitacre's music. If you guys love him, you should get his pandora station, it plays a lot of music just like his. :)
But yeah, as I said, I am extremely excited to do this. GREAT composing. <3
TheeSpazMonkey 3 months ago
hihi You will have a fun time with me
TReedAnchorage 3 months ago
There are not words for how beautiful this is. I can't get over how he so completely paints the most beautiful pictures with his music. It just moves people--to tears, to laughter, to whatever. It's incredible and wow, this song is just---beyond wonderful. Definitely closed my eyes.
BevinGregory 3 months ago
I close my eyes for things like this.
nicobeing 3 months ago
well I'm a crazy American girl
angelbaby1979100 4 months ago
A lot of people here are talking about how "harmonically ingenious" this is and whatnot, it's pretty weird. Don't get me wrong this is very pretty, but it is not ingenious. The effects are very nice but they have been used before, but as for harmonically brilliant, PLEASE have you ever listened to contemporary classical music before in your life?Straight form the liner notes: "it is
fundamentally conservative music, with few surprises or
innovations harmonically or rhythmically."
apingit 4 months ago 12
@apingit Hooray for fundamentally conservative music. :)
jd7x7jd 4 months ago
@jd7x7jd Maybe, but its far from genius.
apingit 4 months ago
@apingit Its still gorgeous. I would consider almost any music ingenious when it is is listened to by millions of people. It obviously has some appeal. I have definitely listened to contemporary classical music BTW.
soccerfool9 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@soccerfool9
"I would consider almost any music ingenious when it is is listened to by millions of people"
LOL so I guess you consider event he most washed up performer(Bing Crosby etc.)'s renditions of common Christmas carols to be ingenious? Grow up.
p.s. listening to this doesn't count as contemporary classical.... it is not synonymous with New Age
apingit 3 months ago
@apingit Let me clarify for you a second. I was not talking about secular popular music, but rather classical music. I'm aware this is not exactly contemporary classical. Something more along the lines of Schoenberg, Babbitt, Messiaen, Boulez, or Crumb would exemplify that genre. However, something about it is appealing to the masses, so how about we not be ignorant. Thanks.
soccerfool9 2 months ago
@soccerfool9 This isn't contemporary classical music by a long shot. It's not even classical music. This is "popular secular music" that just happens to be instrumental, whoopdie do.
Instrumental does not qualify as classical music. Classical music is a time period anyways ending in the early 1800s, this is far from that, and further yet from all that art music that has come since. How about we not be ignorant. Thanks.
apingit 2 months ago
@apingit Wow, if we want to seriously get into musical analysis, yes it is not classical music. Most people consider anything instrumental to be classical, so I figured you were one of those people. Sorry. This is modern music if we really want to be technical. What would be an example of modern art music to you? Also, do you have anything published or any credentials that even give you the justification to make such rude comments about a successful composers music?
soccerfool9 2 months ago
@soccerfool9 LOL this I believe would be called contemporary as the most general description, if I was looking for a more specif I might say New Age. An example of contemporary art music? Carter, Gavin Bryars, Eric Moe, Penderecki, even Johnny Greenwood's non-Radiohead music. Is it really considered rude now to call someone's music "not genius?" Interesting, but where are your credentials to call it genius. And has said before, being popular doesn't make it good.
apingit 2 months ago
@apingit Its only contemporary for now. We are in the modern music age. Also, I never called it genius, only ingenious. Thanks. This is contemporary art music. A genre can have many different composers, even if you do not like them. Now how about we both get over ourselves and calm down.
soccerfool9 2 months ago
@soccerfool9 "This is contemporary art music" it's not, it's pop no matter how you look at it, whether I like it or not. Also, as a side note I think the modern music era ended sometime around the 70's. You could make an argument we are in the postmodern music era and this would indeed exemplify it as a return to traditionalism/simplicity. I suppose you consider the transiberian orchestra to be contemporary art music along with Enya and Lady Gaga.
apingit 2 months ago
@apingit I do not really consider Gaga, Enya, or Transiberian Orchestra to be contemporary art music. It is true that it is hard to define what era we are in. I mean, the contemporary music era does not exist. Contemporary art music can not be popular?
soccerfool9 2 months ago
@soccerfool9 So you don't consider that to be art music but you do consider this to be? Weird, there is virtually no difference in information content. Contemporary art music can be popular, though Pop music is very rarely art music, it just recycles and dumbs down artists' techniques, which is exactly what we see here. Clapping as rain is found in high school choir pieces the world over, hardly new.
apingit 2 months ago
@apingit @occerfool9
Classical music means two things - the classical period that encompasses most of the 18th century, and the broader definition of all Western Art Music from the Renaissance to today. So, in that broader sense, this *is* classical music. And the music of Gaga and company is popular music, not art music (and that's not to say it isn't art). Don't know the difference? Look it up.
But, who really CARES? Stop this stupid argument and enjoy the music.
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@apingit
What here is dumbing down any technique? Snapping (not clapping) used to represent rain isn't new, but if you're going to tell me this is not an original piece of music because it recycles pre-existing ideas, you should also tell me that almost every composer who's ever used a perfect cadence is also unoriginal. If your standard for art is that it must use only original ideas with no allusions to or recognition of past art, then I feel very, very sorry for you.
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@colourfulwithaU This ISN'T classical music by your definition because it ISN'T art music. You may want to believe that because it makes you feel good to do so, so sophisticated or something. I am not saying that recycling old ideas makes you unoriginal, he was the one called it ingenious not me. If your idea of art is that it has to be the most accessible sounding, have virtually nothing new to say, and appeal to the greatest audience, I feel very very sorry for you.
apingit 2 months ago
@apingit
Accessibility doesn't make art music, no. But if you think that accessibility detracts from the quality or meaning of a work of art, then you must be either a troll or an idiot. Debussy, Mozart, Liszt, Handel, and Palestrina are all more accessible than Whitacre, in their predictability, their recycling of old ideas, and yet they are all brilliant composers of WAM. Are you going to tell me that the Goldberg Variations are not art music, because they appeal to a large audience?
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@colourfulwithaU I'm going to tell you this isn't. You want to think this is the greatest thing ever, you want to think this breaks the mold, you want to think this opens a path to the future of music whatever, fine, I don't. By the way, the only thing that makes Mozart's Dissonance Quartet predictable, by the way, is time. Few understood it on first hearing, just like Beethoven's Ninth. Everyone understood this the first time, and yawned.
apingit 2 months ago
@apingit
No, I don't think this is the greatest thing ever. But I do like it. And I do think that it is an extension of the ongoing rebellion against traditional Western harmony. I like the sound of dissonant tone clusters, and I like when they resolve momentarily into basic triads. Whitacre is good at controlling tension and release, and that (among other things) is what makes him a good composer. Not his 'innovation'.
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@colourfulwithaU lol wut. Not only is there no tension at all here, unless you are fresh form the womb, but there is no rebellion against conventional harmony even his publishers don't agree with you there. Jesus Christ if only Schoenberg was here to hear this drivel described as rebellious. You win man, 10/10 for trolling lol. Stay edgy bro...
apingit 2 months ago
@apingit
If you don't think that throwing in a natural 2nd and a sharped 4th in with a major triad isn't tense, then what is? Just because it's not completely atonal, doesn't mean there's no tension. A V7 chord is tense because there are dissonant intervals in it, and they require resolution. The same principle applies, and is felt, in Whitacre's music. If you can't hear it, I would question whether or not you're deaf.
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@colourfulwithaU Natural 2nd, sharpened 4th? Have you ever heard of Jazz? A V7 isn't tense, it's not rebellious, it sounds good but it isn't tense. If you think this is non conventional, and by the way Jazz harmony is most certainly conventional, I would question whether you have heard music before. Grow up and listen to more than the radio.
apingit 2 months ago
@apingit this is the best reply to colorful's comments. Ironically he didn't realize that the word "colorful" is a much better word to describe this music than anything he has said.
songsmadeforyou 1 month ago
@apingit
Still, his music is far more innovative and interesting than anything you'll ever compose, I'm sure.
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@colourfulwithaU Guess what the new Adam Sandler movie is better than any movie I will ever make, I guess it's genius by your logic. The world must truly be wondrous to you with so many genius things around. Again either troll or retarded 10/10 either way.
apingit 2 months ago
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colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@apingit
I don't know where you're getting the idea that I think that anything popular must be good. The fact that I happen to like a popular composer does not automatically make me a slave to popular opinion. The fact that I disagree with you does not mean I am retarded. Grow up.
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
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apingit 2 months ago
@colourfulwithaU You are the one choose to call me out long after my argument with another person had ended not the other way around. I assume you are hurt that some disagreed with the "genius" assessment of this trivial music. Maybe you are angry because the music you use to call yourself a "sophisticated listener" was called out as being not so much. Maybe I am wrong all together all I am saying is that this is pleasant to listen to like any other New Age, just not genius,
apingit 2 months ago
@apingit
Yes, I've heard of jazz. I play jazz. And WAM. Whether something is tense or not depends on the context. In jazz, dominant 7th chords are often used not as V, and because of that they lose their tension; if everything is dissonant, then nothing is dissonant. However, when you're listening to classical music, V7 sounds like it requires resolution. Tension refers to the need to resolve, not the harshness of the chord. cont:
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@apingit
Also, if you know so much about jazz, then you should know why sharp 4 is harsher here than in any jazz context; jazz musicians don't often (or ever) voice the 5th of a chord. The crunchiness of that sharp 4th is there because it clashes by a semitone with the 5th. It wouldn't be there in jazz, which is why it can be used so often and not hurt people's ears.
Also, I don't listen to the radio. Stop making dumb assumptions.
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@colourfulwithaU Yes it depends on the context, however, the context in which a v7 is tense at all ended about 100 years ago so I am not sure I understand the rebellion in it. Further more a sharp fourth with a major second included in the chord is nothing more than a major eleventh pretty standard pretty easy on the ears even with a voiced fifth. I guess that would sound rather edgy if all you listen to is pre-bach and new age choral music.
apingit 2 months ago
@apingit
Again, you're assuming that tension is dependent on ugliness or harshness. I'll repeat: tension depends on the need to resolve. It's possible to write music in which a V7 (not used here anyways, it's just an example of a potentially tense chord) does not seem to require resolution - ie, a blues, or a piece based off the phrygian dominat mode - but even in some music written today, it does.
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@colourfulwithaU This simple explanation of tension only accounts for if you are unconscious of all that has come before and most importantly ignore that true Art is a historical thing. You can call it what you want, the tensest music you have ever heard, but it isn't art because of it nor does it push any boundaries as you claim it does.
apingit 2 months ago
@apingit
LOL. It doesn't bother me that you don't consider it rebellious, but if you don't think this is art, you must have a very "interesting" definition of what art is.
Again, when I say this is tense, that has nothing to do with the time period or pushing of boundaries. It's that even the 21-year-old Whitacre was *very* well able to come up with combinations of chords that move very smoothly between points of tension and points of release, which is the essence of all tonal composition.
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@apingit
What bothers me is that you have no idea what you're talking about, and you are acting like you do. It's kind of funny, but kind of sad, too.
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@colourfulwithaU What bothers me is that people are quick to label any instrumental/choral music ingenious simply because they can understand it. Also that you consider any kind of tonal music to be pushing boundaries rather conservative and a return to a simpler past which is what it is. It's kind of funny and kind of sad too.
apingit 2 months ago
@apingit
I don't consider any tonal music to be pushing boundaries. -____- When did I say that? This is tonal, sure, but it's not traditionally tonal (TRADITIONAL tonality is what I said this was continuing the rebellion against, in case you didn't read that comment). It uses all sorts of techniques (modal mixture, common-tone harmony) that were and are used by composers who have tried and are still trying to expand what tonal music is.
Anyways, I'm tired of arguing with you. Peace.
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@apingit Actually much of Whitacre's music is very tonal. In many of his works he uses little to no accidentals, in contrast to older classical music which used it far more often.
psycholian 2 months ago
@psycholian So is this agreeing with what I said or...why is it directed at me?
apingit 2 months ago
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@apingit "Also that you consider any kind of tonal music to be pushing boundaries rather conservative and a return to a simpler past which is what it is." You imply Whitacre's music is atonal, which much of it isn't.
psycholian 2 months ago
@apingit
As for the major 11th, if it's functioning as a VI chord and then moves to i (which happens here), that IS tension and release, in the same way that V7-I is, no matter when it was written. Whether it's edgy and original or not isn't relevant.
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@apingit
OH, and the named of the chord extensions (9, 11, etc) comes from the fact that they are spread out, above the octave. So, when you have them all bunched in together, as Whitacre loves to do in so much of his music, that's not an extended chord, that's a tone cluster.
Also, just FYI you would technically have to indicate the sharped 11th in that chord, because it's not assumed on a chord chart.
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@colourfulwithaU This really bothers you doesn't it, that not everyone considers this simple music to be as "rebellious"(your word for it not mine) as you do. See my comment above from the liner notes them selves "fundamentally conservative music, with few surprises or innovations harmonically or rhythmically." You can project on to it all the innovation and complexity you want but in the end not even the composer himself agrees with you.
apingit 2 months ago
@apingit
Whitacre is only expanding on the very, very, very old tradition of choral WAM. The fact that you don't like this particular composer does not suddenly force him out of that tradition.
Also, I'm arguing even though I don't care because I'm on break from school and work and I'm bored.
colourfulwithaU 2 months ago
@colourfulwithaU Me too, problem?
apingit 2 months ago
@colourfulwithaU By the way, if you don't care why are you arguing? Just asking...
apingit 2 months ago
@soccerfool9 Hopefully you don't truly believe that... So much low quality music is popular. Look up "axis of awesome 4 chords" on youtube. It's a quick summary of one very obvious side of popular music requiring no talent at all.
iamnubetube 2 months ago
@iamnubetube I know, I know. I have seen it. I'm was not talking about popular secular music however. Sorry I did not clarify. I was talking about classical music. It does require talent though. Maybe not ingenuity, but definitely talent.
soccerfool9 2 months ago
@apingit It doesn't need to be genius or have surprises and innovations. It is the feeling that you get from the piece that counts. Harmonic brilliance is great but the fact that something this simple and linear can be this beautiful is genius itself.
foxtrot1114 2 months ago
@foxtrot1114 Do you consider children's books to be Great Literature then?
apingit 2 months ago 2
@apingit What about "Gulliver´s Travels"?
miggydscho 2 months ago
@miggydscho So you consider this to be a satirical work? I can run with that, you htink he is making fun of simple music?
apingit 2 months ago
@apingit No, the example I used was just to show there exist children´s books who are good literal work, no more.
miggydscho 2 months ago
@apingit Why is it that some people feel the need to correct the opinions of others? How about shutting your mouth and keeping your opinions to yourself? Have other composers composed beautiful vocal music? Yes. How about sitting back and enjoying the music and if you don't keep your mouth shut? Just a thought.
BewSkeet 2 months ago
@BewSkeet I can't imagine why this is directed at me. My very first comment was directed to no one, it was on the video. Every comment I made after was in response to someone doing exactly what you are crying about: commenting on my opinion. Oh well, good to see irrational, grammatically retarded, hypocrisy is alive and well.
apingit 2 months ago
i love him, he is such a great composer, i sang seal lullaby by him for region auditons, love that song
THEJOSHOW25 4 months ago
I love watching him conduct.
cudachoruschick 4 months ago
Why am I watching this .. its already raining outside.. lol
McSpiffy88 4 months ago
1:45 look at the lady in glasses on the left. now look up helen miren in the devil wears prada. coincidence? i think not!
pixarpianofreak 4 months ago
4:40...... eargasm!!!
musicrocksmysoul96 4 months ago
So, i had to choose between winning the state swim meet this year, or being in all state choir. Originally i was gonna swim, but we are performing this song and it changed my mind. The power of music.
ugotmail13 4 months ago
Beyond all the special effects the music itself is pretty vapid. It's the same kind of piece that all high school ensembles perform, just much more polished.
demographerist 4 months ago
recordar que dicen... SANGRE <333 the best part
namewaster31 4 months ago
Saw him live last night - AMAZING!!!!
LibraDiva89 4 months ago 3
Absolutely breathtaking .. brought tears to my eyes towards the end. Eric Whitacre ... you are AMAZING!!!!
lissettechaparro 4 months ago
thats the biggest frackin high school choir i've ever seen in my life
singinggrl870 4 months ago 21
@singinggrl870 haha yeah! but its actually the honors choir (made up of all the minnesota high schools) I think...though i could be wrong
mlr2107 2 months ago
oh my.
SavannahSamuel 4 months ago
My Choir did this last year. This song is truly amazing.
Mist6330 4 months ago
WOW! i'm speechless.
ccm2Dmax 4 months ago
What on earth!? It's as if I didn't know choir music until this moment!! Even though I'm a classical musician!! Simply brilliant!!
skepticlogician 4 months ago
all these comments about the people who disliked this....
it made me think......... why is the dislike button even an option?
multigenremusician 4 months ago
@caitybearr - I'm thinking the same thing!
LauraLou122 5 months ago
i live in minnesota. why the heck wasnt i there? :(
caitybearr 5 months ago
30 people have industrial deafness.
TheAlphabetBunyip 5 months ago
30 people who disliked might have accidentally had the sound off.
xoticitalian 5 months ago 24
@xoticitalian yeah! or maybe they just misclicked the "like" button
damiizolan 4 months ago
DA PELLE D'OCA, BELLISSIMO!
arethafrancys 5 months ago
Eargasm
markdude701 5 months ago
Love thisss..... :D
chem0318662833 5 months ago
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Can no one in that choir correctly pronounce Spanish? That speech was almost too painful to hear. But the music itself was amazing.
krjimmy 5 months ago 3
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krjimmy 5 months ago
hiya i love try new things and thats why im here
AlesiaCirabz953 5 months ago
I was speechless the first time I watched and absorbed this.
This is along with sleep the 1000th time i have sat + watched this and become overwhelmed with every imaginable emotion.
Listening to this Live is one of my goals in life. As a die hard Rock Fan I haven't been moved as much listening to music since the first time I came under Zeppelin's spell 30+ years ago.
Thanks for posting
milesvera88 5 months ago
@TwinLsrBatteries it is suppose to in this song
tashma09 5 months ago
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At 5:07, was she hitting a really high note or was that an overtone?
SopranoOfTheNight 5 months ago
At 5:07, was she hitting a really high note or was that an overtone?
SopranoOfTheNight 5 months ago
i just pooped my pants in ecstasy.
thefrayfanman 5 months ago 2
wooooooow AMAZING tears coming down my face and shivers over my whole body that is real music..best thing ever made my day feel fantastic after listing to this.
tomsvideos68 5 months ago in playlist Eric Whitacre 3
This is such a doucebag song. it's like "oo I wrote a song about rain in spanish, i must be so deep".
maiwork6666666 6 months ago
@maiwork6666666 hahahaha it's funny cause you could never do anything like this, or be this famous, or talented.
davethedrummer1 6 months ago
@davethedrummer1 I could also never have a legion of drooling fans who get butthurt when I insult somebody who doesn't give two shits what I or anyone thinks
maiwork6666666 6 months ago
@maiwork6666666 yeah casue i definitely sounded butthurt. And well I'm sure you could certainly have some fans that drool...
davethedrummer1 5 months ago
@davethedrummer1 interesting point you have there: do you believe this is talent or skill? Mr. Whitacre does have quite an ear for tonal and harmonic complexity, and I've never once heard any work that rivaled his in that respect. Do you think that's a result of training? environment? genetics?
splyntr100 5 months ago
@splyntr100 Talent like this is God-given. No question about it. Of course he has worked to master his skills, but his potential is far greater than many, many people.
davethedrummer1 5 months ago
@maiwork6666666 well we would all like you to come back in a year with a completely original piece that is as tonally complex and ingenious as Cloudburst. I have been composing music for (not too long) about four years. I was a performer for some time before that. I bought the sheet music to this, read it, and burned all of my original work because this completely raped anything I had written. I bid you good luck.
splyntr100 5 months ago
@splyntr100 Well I write shor stories and from one artist to another I have got to say that that was a move pulled straight out of the retard bag. I have read quite a few works that have changed my life and, on occasion, my philosophy. Does that mean i should just forsake all of my previous work because it's not as good? Would you ever watch a porn, see a guy with a massive cock, and chop your own off out of shame? To be honest I wouldn't put it past you.
maiwork6666666 5 months ago
At 6:08, when there hands come down, even though that whole phrase was awesome, when they brought down their hands, the way it looked was amazing, their arms looked like rain falling down, that was so sick.
EBE246 6 months ago
okay...this is the polyphony recorded version. This is not polyphony
buterito 6 months ago
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ChoirMime 6 months ago
The first time i heart this, it changed the fabric of my soul. So many beautiful people and voices coming together. It's one of the sweetest sounding things on this world.
evilzelda101 6 months ago
learning this in chamber...these chords make my spine chill!!!
peppy6078 6 months ago
I'm so amazed how he was able to even think of using snapping fingers to make the sound of rain. I think that it goes without saying that the rest of the music is pure genius. But wow! So clever!
maxvalch 7 months ago
@Flumphinator I noticed that people who don't believe in god are extremely rude. i personally chose not to believe in God but I don't go around being a smartass to people, let him think whatever he wants
skateNappreciate 7 months ago
I adored this concert. Being a witness to this concert taught me so much.
Anahata1783 7 months ago
When theres the murmuring it almost frightens me. I listen to Eric Whitacre when i sleep and it always wakes me up. its the dark side of nature mixed with the beauty. truley pure and beautiful. A+
CheerboyHEAT 7 months ago
words cannot express how beautiful this song is
its as though thousand angels are singing of the greatness and glory of god
god is probably weeping from its awesomeness
mrcookiemonsterr 7 months ago
@mrcookiemonsterr Implying god exists.
Flumphinator 7 months ago
@Flumphinator unnecessary.
Tommiewashere 7 months ago
@Tommiewashere Implying I'm not right.
Flumphinator 7 months ago
@Flumphinator can you prove that God doesn't exist? can you tell me with a straight face that it's impossible for there to be any universally governing entity, and then back it up with hard facts? Do you consider yourself knowledgeable regarding any of the sciences? if so, you are an oblivious hypocrite; I simply cannot fathom that anyone so aware of the beauty, complexity, and greatness of everything around us would not believe in a higher entity.
splyntr100 5 months ago
However, I also cannot fathom that anyone with any sense would interpret religious texts literally. The events that they often describe are probably impossible for any human mind to grasp, and as a result these texts are written at least 60% through metaphors and symbolism. @Flumphinator, I do understand your point of view, however it is highly reactionary to outright deny God's existence altogether.
splyntr100 5 months ago
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splyntr100 5 months ago
I absolutely love this song - one of my favorites. I had the great honor of singing this in the 2005 AL All State Choir. I get chills listening to it every time, especially at the thunder part. <3 Everything Eric Whitacre does.
prosingerrenee 7 months ago
Marry me Eric Whitacre?
taylorrowl 7 months ago
this was on my birthday. ;)
JavonLipscomb 7 months ago
Omfg, he made it rain.
Orinthophobia13 7 months ago 37
I think one of my favorite parts is from 0:43 to 1:00
FRBABandMan 8 months ago
I heard that eric whiticare never learned to sightread music.
Overkillius 8 months ago 2
goosebumps over and over again.
ohsnapitbejenna 8 months ago
@bingbongman001 Just to put a number that most people could perceive onto that... there are officially 90,840 drops of water in a gallon. So 1,249,230,591,283,095 / 90,840 = 13,751,988,015 gallons. There is 660,000 gallons in an olympic sized swimming pool. So 13,751,988,015 / 660,000 = 20,836.3455 olympic sized swimming pools worth of water. Did you cry that much... unlikely. And yes, I did seriously just waste my time looking all that shit up. Good day...
hop208 8 months ago 26
@hop208
you are my hero c:
ItsIPIanda 3 months ago
wow.
ksandcb 8 months ago
28 people's clouds didnt burst.......think we should help them out a little?
SEXYCBO 8 months ago
I get shivers when I hear this.
AwesomeBuddyC 8 months ago
JAYSES ERIC WHITTAKER IS A FINE THING!!!!!!
ilovecats581 8 months ago
Accan I would have to agree... The different chord mixtures really dipicts a lot of different clouds. Awesome.
FRBABandMan 8 months ago