Interpretation wise, this is the best and most heartfelt rendition on youtube - the emotion conveyed in the climax of the piece is breathtaking. However, I felt that at the start, the balance was not quite perfect, you could hear a lot of individuals instead of the choir as a whole - this meant that a lot of the juicy dissonances weren't as effective as they could have been.
This price defines what true choral music is. Sleep is a constructive group of tones that create a sound that can match no other. Polyphony is a great group and all, but in the end it is the music what is expressed. Eric Whitacre has done every music admirer or singer a favor for letting everyone listen to his musical talent. This song alone has brought me to a new level of gratitude of my appreciation for choral music. Thank you Mr. Whitacre for giving all of us such a musical icon to look up
This piece of music really defines what the "quality, and meaning" of choral music is. Polyphony is a phenomenal group and all, but in the end it is what the music is truly about. And Eric Whita
Whitacre is not a religious man...I heard him say this himself on public radio. The lyrics are not in any way religious either. That is just one of the reasons I like the piece so much.
I had heard about Eric Whitacre and his choir projects, but it was only this week that I finally got around to buying this CD and listening to his music for the first time. This piece in particular just blew me away. I've been singing or listening to choral music for over 30 years, but this is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard.
This is the first song to ever make me cry for simply being so...perfect. I've tried listening to other recordings of this but nothing matches up to this exact one.
this is the best choir i have heard in my whole life!!! i could listen too this all day, everyday, for the rest of my life its that good. this choir so is rich and beautiful and there is nothing else like it. i would love to see you guys in concert where ever you may live!!!!
Such a great video! Great choir itself! The one thing that bugged me though is it seems as if this group has a sliding problem. I don't know if it's the video, if you purposely intended it to be this way, if it was the acoustics of the room you recorded in...I'm not sure. It just bugs me for some reason-.-
@drew8603 When we did this for Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir... well, let's just say you are very right. And 3:46 on this is awesome too. It feels so good to sing it!
@drew8603 Actually, I think 0:48 is a better single moment. Every musician I know that has listened to this has pointed that particular "resolution". And let's not forget the penultimate chords of the climax, where the progression we've heard twice before is held for a moment, made just a little more dissonant, and then finally resolves into this cascading downward waterfall of interwoven voices.
there can be no doubt that BYU's choirs did a superb, fabulous job on Whitacre's music...I love that recording and listen to it all the time.
But there's something about Polyphony's sound that clicks with Whitacre's music. BYU is a bit too "warm chocolate" sounding, which is a quality I love, but it just doesn't fit as well with whitacre's music as the bright iciness of Polyphony's tone.
@Brivixxycej8 : I think it's definitely a matter of taste. In most instances, I prefer BYU's stunningly straight tone and more fuller, warmer, rounded treatment of Whitacre's works, but, I very much appreciate Polyphony's performances and there are passages where I think they absolutely shine. As it is, both groups rank in my top three for preferred Whitacre listening.
You are right. I actually stole the polyphony CD from my brother's room and put it on my computer after I made that comment (he's on his mission he won't know :)) and in the course of listening I did find that BYU's sound fits a bit better on a majority of the other recordings, so I guess my judgment was premature. However, on some others (especially on Sleep and Lux Aurumque) I liked Polyphony's better...although both are such exceptional recordings it really doesn't matter :p
I think this is my favorite recording of this because of the way it is balanced. Although, I would change a lot of vowel pronunciation issues, I think it is a sort of gem.
Of all the choral singing I have heard over many years this is a rarity in quality of singing as well as the recording. It really lets the sounds of the voices ring in the acoustics, lets the voices blend in space instead if the mixing console. Pity it is such a rarity...
I didn't hear it -- not the splendid nor the near-divine that others seem to find. I wonder why. I suppose I just found it as sound as sound. I'm not a music-type-person, I suppose.
@zfriderici You can buy it at a lot of stores. If you have a store w/ a good classical music section, this will probably be in there. If not, I am certain most stores can order it for you.
Polyphony may be favorite professional choir; however there are times when their soprano sound (like so many English groups) becomes very harsh during the louder dynamic level sections.
I was driving home last night from my girlfriends and on the way home I was listening to Classic FM and I heard this song for the first time, it moved me so much I had to stop the car and listen... amazing... truly amazing.
I got major chills down my spine from 3:34 to 4:00. But especially at 3:46 where sopranos have that dissonant semitone and then it resolves. Absolutely wonderful music.
Wonderful piece. I only became familiar with Whitacre in the last few years and have become a follower. A University choir that my two sons are in did Leonardo Dreams of his Flying Machine this last year. It was overwhelming.
This is easily the best version of Sleep I've heard, and I've listened to them all. So many of them are done so slowly. This one has great pace, and amazing sound. Bravo.
This is the best song ever! And this is pretty much the best choir I've ever heard. I wonder how much better it would be live, in a cathedral!!!! Oh, and Eric Whitacre is a freakin genius! AHHH I love this song so so so much!!!!
BYU vs. Polyphony??? lol to close to call!!!!! both amazing no doubt!!! and the piece itself.....welll..... its speaks, rather sings, for itself ;) no need for discription:)
okay. obviously, Sleep is a gorgeous song, and this choir is fantastic. but did anybody notice the insane synchronicity and pitch-perfectness (2 made up words for the win) of the sopranos? their skill is mind-boggling. oh, how i long to be in a professional choir...all the choirs i've ever been in have warbly sopranos who always fight to be heard over the others.
I've sung this song in my college chorale (last semester was my last semester doing choir, since I'm not a music major) and I know this is unorthodox, but when our conductor first introduced this song to us, she had us listen to this exact recording to give us an idea of the right balance of sections, text sensitivity, etc. I love Polyphony, and I can speak from a somewhat-experienced musician's viewpoint, they are one of the best choirs I have ever heard.
This performance is phenomenal. I listen to it again and again and it never gets old it. It brings such peace to the heart. Again I'm so impressed! :)
Utterly gorgeous. I'm currently playing timpani for a symphonic band arrangement of this piece, and I thought it'd be good to hear a performance of the choral original, and I'm glad I clicked on this one. Thanks so much for posting!
Classic choral sound, very beautiful, very mature. Beautiful vowel sounds,, perfect dynamics, wonderfully in tune, but I thought it lacked emotional depth. Also a bit bass heavy, and tenors seemed pushed. second sopranos seemed to disapear, which is a shame since they have some of the most interesting dissonences and resolves in the piece. But all in all, very beautiful.
WOW, listen to that spin on "moon" at 0:11. I keep listening to the first line over and again just to catch their wonderful blend. You can almost sway with it there, like a wave. Absolutely beautiful.
I think this recording and Polyphony's are great in their own way. BYU takes an "off the voice" approach. This allows their vowels to blend, giving a clear and easy sound. With this style comes a issue with tuning, because strong breath energy in essential to tune these thick chords. This is a great choir, so they only go off by a quarter tone or less. Polyphony approaches it with a full, mature sound. They are louder, so it is hard to blend parts, but it is perfectly in tune.
I agree with Snare310, the overall structure flows better with Polyphony. Don't me wrong BYU is beyond talent. I like bass sound. The stronger the pyramids base (bass) the taller it can reach. Whitacre is beyond great.
I think overall this recording is better than BYU. The half and whole step dissonances ring out so much more in this recording. Plus, I disagree about the bass being too loud. This choir (if you listen to the whole piece, is extremely balanced between sections giving the pyramid of sound any choir generally should have. Every note is soooo in tune in this. I love this piece and choir so much! Perfect job getting every once of emotion and beauty out of this piece polyphony! =]
look up ;Malone University Chorale; (first hit) singing this. it's a mix of pieces but forward to 7:54 ish tell me what you think...this is in oppenheim germany. St. Katerine. acoustics are amazing.
@snare310 look up ;Malone University Chorale; (first hit) singing this. it's a mix of pieces but forward to 7:54 ish tell me what you think...this is in oppenheim germany. St. Katerine. acoustics are amazing.
@snare310 To each his own as far as preference goes, but I must disagree. The BYU recording has so much more "volume" to its tone and a better blend. This is a very nice recording, but the BYU recording is much fuller...ALSO, has anyone heard this set to the Robert Frost poem (pre-revocation)? the music set to THAT text is absolutely ethereal. An artistic tragedy! There is an extant recording out there, and it's glorious...
@ohschoirdirector I totally understand where you are coming from, I suppose it comes down to individual tastes. Granted, you know that Polyphony does one-on-a-part recordings right? BYU's whole choir is singing, which gives it a more "blendy" off the voice sound. One the polyphony recording, each person is in charge of sing on the voice balancing with every other part. I think this tyoe of singing/recording slaps me in the face with a beautiful wall of sound!
Yes we know all Mormons are ridiculously good at all things music but this recording is rich and crisp. Besides some people may enjoy a bass heavy recording.
this song makes my heart happy, yet sad at the same time...i love this song....and i adore the tenors at 3:50.....this song is so flawless.....i can only dream of being part of a choir this good
I'm so excited to sing this song In my choir!!!! We are going to Chicago for spring break and this is one of the selections... He is a true genius... <333
Stephen Layton is a good friend and close collaborator with Eric Whitacre. Mr. Layton's choir, Polyphony, has performed several world premieres of Mr. Whitacre's choral pieces. If you watch Mr. Whitacre conducting "Sleep" with the St. Olaf Choir, you'll find that the pace is no faster than this version.
Of all the Eric Whitacre pieces I've heard, none has ever brought me to such an inner peace or moved in me in such a way as this. Listening to it sent chills down my spine and tears to my eyes. This is not the music of a human being, but that of the higher power moving through one individual man.
@Gan596 couldn't agree with you more... when sounds this incredible and beautiful are heard.. it can only be of a higher power... :) amazingly unforgetable.....
@Gan596 Try also "There Will Be Rest" by Frank Ticheli -- also on YouTube in many versions. I like the one by the Pacific Lutheran University Chorale the best. Ticheli liked their version, too -- he wrote them a note to say so.
@Gan596 I agree with you wholly about this piece being extraordinary, except the part where you took all credit away from Mr. Whitacre. This is not a work "of a higher power" but a work from someone who understands the anatomy of music. I suppose you'd say all the greats of the classical, baroque, 20th century and everyone else with virtuoso talent, is a work of the higher powers too? Please give credit where credit is due. I'm sure you're god will still love you.
@RightM0nster I was JUST going to respond to that post, but you said it very well. Just because something is awe-inspiring does NOT mean it's evidence of some kind of higher power intervening.
Not to mention, that kind of thinking is what lead to the banning of the tri-tone. lol.
@DirtyRottenScoundrel - I tried my hardest to not insult Gan596 but just to pay homage to Mr. Whitacre! I cannot listen to people giving all the credit to god. Thanks for the remark.
Yes, dissonance is powerful when it's used against a backdrop of consonance. This is music is beautiful because dissonance and consonance are perfectly balanced.
Best choir for Whitacre pieces ever. I want to be them. i was in chorus for 10 consecutive years, and in high school I got to sing Sleep, Water Night, and Leonardo.
I just played this song yesterday for band, i never have cried durring a performance before
cj1lorenz 5 days ago
It's eerie how beautiful this is.
JohnnyWmusic 4 weeks ago
3:47... best part ever i get the chills!!!
lizzyabeth12 1 month ago 3
@lizzyabeth12 I cry nearly every time I hear it. The best suspension I have ever heard.
CaptConvent 1 week ago
i think this version is much better than BYU's
codmonstahh 1 month ago
the harmonic texture is very reminiscent of Rachmaninov's Vespers...very full and rich, and of course genius.
fledgehog 1 month ago
I love that this is bassier than a lot of other versions
aquaticstone 1 month ago
I've sung this SOOO many times and I still get goosebumps when it's sung soo beautifully. Bravo.
ChronosRaikou 1 month ago
Yeah fish! (bass)
muziknurd384 2 months ago
No matter how many times I hear this, I cry every time.
singingchuckles 2 months ago 4
BYU's version is a lot better...
BwenSwen 3 months ago
@BwenSwen I LOVE BYU too, but Polyphony is equally as amazing!!!
living2love2sing 3 months ago
OMG! that´s amazing. ♥♥♥ i sing it with the national teen choir of saxony and it´s soooo "WOW" to sing it :D my heart beats faster and faster... :D
Kmetschchen 3 months ago
Interpretation wise, this is the best and most heartfelt rendition on youtube - the emotion conveyed in the climax of the piece is breathtaking. However, I felt that at the start, the balance was not quite perfect, you could hear a lot of individuals instead of the choir as a whole - this meant that a lot of the juicy dissonances weren't as effective as they could have been.
knoxman1990 4 months ago
Definitely my favorite rendition of this piece. I especially like how the basses came out. Excellent job by Stephen Layton (and everyone)
JesterIF 6 months ago
This price defines what true choral music is. Sleep is a constructive group of tones that create a sound that can match no other. Polyphony is a great group and all, but in the end it is the music what is expressed. Eric Whitacre has done every music admirer or singer a favor for letting everyone listen to his musical talent. This song alone has brought me to a new level of gratitude of my appreciation for choral music. Thank you Mr. Whitacre for giving all of us such a musical icon to look up
James28105 7 months ago 2
This piece of music really defines what the "quality, and meaning" of choral music is. Polyphony is a phenomenal group and all, but in the end it is what the music is truly about. And Eric Whita
James28105 7 months ago
stephen layton is easily one of the best choirmasters in the world.
jersey24601 8 months ago
Whitacre is not a religious man...I heard him say this himself on public radio. The lyrics are not in any way religious either. That is just one of the reasons I like the piece so much.
gergsar 8 months ago
I had heard about Eric Whitacre and his choir projects, but it was only this week that I finally got around to buying this CD and listening to his music for the first time. This piece in particular just blew me away. I've been singing or listening to choral music for over 30 years, but this is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard.
WetLettuce1966 8 months ago
This song changed my life ever since our choir performed it. To hear the uncompromising beauty of Whitacre's music is earth-shattering.
CrazySchool09 8 months ago
i cry almost every time i hear this... so emotional..
linabinaish 8 months ago
and they're doing mozart's requiem at the proms! heaven!
skorgebassist 9 months ago
I did buy the album after hearing this (and for friends and family too!). It is simply outstanding.
MrAppoline 9 months ago
This is the first song to ever make me cry for simply being so...perfect. I've tried listening to other recordings of this but nothing matches up to this exact one.
Jazzled 9 months ago
@Jazzled You are not alone: it's simply magical!
bryan3550 8 months ago
man, it's my dream to sing with polyphony. they perfect every song. i believe this is the best version of this song. chills all the way through :)
DontfuckwithElton 9 months ago
Just heard this song on the radio for the first time and going to buy the album now. Masterful!
StephenLyonsMusic 9 months ago
the bass section is impressive
PeaceLoveHendrix 10 months ago
@PeaceLoveHendrix Such a strong Eb. I'm so pissed that my voice sucks right now. I can't even hit an F let alone that Eb.
CookieDude1178999 9 months ago
excelente
matute748 10 months ago
so fucking good.
Adaine649 10 months ago
this is the best choir i have heard in my whole life!!! i could listen too this all day, everyday, for the rest of my life its that good. this choir so is rich and beautiful and there is nothing else like it. i would love to see you guys in concert where ever you may live!!!!
auntJLC17 10 months ago
Such a great video! Great choir itself! The one thing that bugged me though is it seems as if this group has a sliding problem. I don't know if it's the video, if you purposely intended it to be this way, if it was the acoustics of the room you recorded in...I'm not sure. It just bugs me for some reason-.-
jacqueline3b 10 months ago
The chord at 3:50 is orgasmic. Brings tears to my eyes. everytime.;
jmnh109 10 months ago
This is actually about the final seconds of life, and the uncertainty of what lies beyond the ever-standing alabaster gates of the end.
ThePotatoFish 10 months ago 2
@ThePotatoFish Alabaster gates? Where did you get that?
quagmire1807 9 months ago
choral piece - choral peace
shawardara 10 months ago 2
WOW
ahenmaxtae 11 months ago
O.o wow this is really good their voice mix really well together it gives me shivers :3
Ndcrocks 11 months ago
4 People Dislike this. WTF!
bigdudetuba 11 months ago
BEST CHORAL PIECE EVER!
cola625 11 months ago
3:46 Choral face melter. :D
iCorgi 11 months ago
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iCorgi 11 months ago
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iCorgi 11 months ago
this is up there with Spem in alium
shawardara 11 months ago
:22 seconds in is one of the moments that musicians live for.
drew8603 11 months ago 35
@drew8603 The bass there is absolutely profound.
jwilliam2255 10 months ago
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saralizzy1981 9 months ago
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saralizzy1981 9 months ago
@drew8603 When we did this for Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir... well, let's just say you are very right. And 3:46 on this is awesome too. It feels so good to sing it!
saralizzy1981 9 months ago
@drew8603 especially Basses. I wanna sing this.
refalls1 7 months ago 4
@drew8603 Actually, I think 0:48 is a better single moment. Every musician I know that has listened to this has pointed that particular "resolution". And let's not forget the penultimate chords of the climax, where the progression we've heard twice before is held for a moment, made just a little more dissonant, and then finally resolves into this cascading downward waterfall of interwoven voices.
DJLiko81 4 months ago in playlist Classical 2
@drew8603 that and that chord at 3:50. Starts like right at the end of 3:49, but you know what I mean. The one that gives you the tinglies.
bullet4mv93 4 months ago
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drew8603 11 months ago
That bass is ridiculously amazing
PokerPunk64 11 months ago
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Oh my god! <3 <3 <3
dimman16 11 months ago
the dissonances are so beautiful. you really gotta love Eric for writing this stuff!
TheShortestWay 11 months ago
The only bad part was 5:35
Hoatboiztard 11 months ago 3
@Hoatboiztard
i see what you did there.
deathpuppet16 11 months ago
this is special
shawardara 11 months ago
Ah sorry, my mistake, Was watching this on an Ipad, meant to type that into the search box! Sorry for the confusion
TechDiff 11 months ago
Jesus Christ apple tree
TechDiff 1 year ago 12
@TechDiff What about Jesus Christ Apple Tree?
GpD79 1 year ago 6
there can be no doubt that BYU's choirs did a superb, fabulous job on Whitacre's music...I love that recording and listen to it all the time.
But there's something about Polyphony's sound that clicks with Whitacre's music. BYU is a bit too "warm chocolate" sounding, which is a quality I love, but it just doesn't fit as well with whitacre's music as the bright iciness of Polyphony's tone.
Brivixxycej8 1 year ago
@Brivixxycej8 : I think it's definitely a matter of taste. In most instances, I prefer BYU's stunningly straight tone and more fuller, warmer, rounded treatment of Whitacre's works, but, I very much appreciate Polyphony's performances and there are passages where I think they absolutely shine. As it is, both groups rank in my top three for preferred Whitacre listening.
rippinsteo 11 months ago
@rippinsteo
You are right. I actually stole the polyphony CD from my brother's room and put it on my computer after I made that comment (he's on his mission he won't know :)) and in the course of listening I did find that BYU's sound fits a bit better on a majority of the other recordings, so I guess my judgment was premature. However, on some others (especially on Sleep and Lux Aurumque) I liked Polyphony's better...although both are such exceptional recordings it really doesn't matter :p
Brivixxycej8 11 months ago
that chord at 3:49...holy hell
bullet4mv93 1 year ago
I think this is my favorite recording of this because of the way it is balanced. Although, I would change a lot of vowel pronunciation issues, I think it is a sort of gem.
mwdot12 1 year ago
Anyone else get goosebumps?
TheCharlyHorse 1 year ago 57
@TheCharlyHorse every time
matt22nesloney 7 months ago
Of all the choral singing I have heard over many years this is a rarity in quality of singing as well as the recording. It really lets the sounds of the voices ring in the acoustics, lets the voices blend in space instead if the mixing console. Pity it is such a rarity...
pjdelcour 1 year ago
This recording of Sleep is probably the one I like best :)
lhc9494 1 year ago
i listen to this and wonder why bed intruder has fifty million more hits
uglyavocado 1 year ago 5
This really is a pitch-perfect performance of this piece. Ridiculous. Where clouds of dream give second sight... ah, death.
Mehranathon 1 year ago
I didn't hear it -- not the splendid nor the near-divine that others seem to find. I wonder why. I suppose I just found it as sound as sound. I'm not a music-type-person, I suppose.
Notebooked 1 year ago
Do any stores sell their CD's (Polyphony's or Whitacre's Light and Gold) or does one almost HAVE to order online?
zfriderici 1 year ago 3
@zfriderici You can buy it at a lot of stores. If you have a store w/ a good classical music section, this will probably be in there. If not, I am certain most stores can order it for you.
GpD79 1 year ago
@GpD79 Any particular recommendations of stores about Kansas City, MO, USA?
zfriderici 1 year ago
@zfriderici Try Barnes and noble, otherwise several websites have it!!!!!!
TerrancePogue 1 year ago
This song gets such an emotional reaction out of me. Simply beautiful <3
MCRomg 1 year ago
If there is a god this is it. <3
dimman16 1 year ago
Even in the wind symphony arrangement of this, every delicate phrase and voicing is pronounced just as well.
madpaintbalerx 1 year ago
my choir is singing this and today at my sectional i nearly cried at the climax:D
serenadeyuki 1 year ago
They do Eric Whitacre justice, for sure.
saralizzy1981 1 year ago
Polyphony may be favorite professional choir; however there are times when their soprano sound (like so many English groups) becomes very harsh during the louder dynamic level sections.
todwfish 1 year ago
I was driving home last night from my girlfriends and on the way home I was listening to Classic FM and I heard this song for the first time, it moved me so much I had to stop the car and listen... amazing... truly amazing.
richardjamesmedia 1 year ago 2
I got major chills down my spine from 3:34 to 4:00. But especially at 3:46 where sopranos have that dissonant semitone and then it resolves. Absolutely wonderful music.
LongDriveChamp03 1 year ago 2
Wonderful piece. I only became familiar with Whitacre in the last few years and have become a follower. A University choir that my two sons are in did Leonardo Dreams of his Flying Machine this last year. It was overwhelming.
WePrintAnything 1 year ago
Heard this on Radio 3 BBC and simply could not believe my ears.
paljim24 1 year ago
beautiful*****
arnolfini26 1 year ago
It's hard to take such a sound in...
Zielkenoel 1 year ago
This is easily the best version of Sleep I've heard, and I've listened to them all. So many of them are done so slowly. This one has great pace, and amazing sound. Bravo.
zurino8 1 year ago 4
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This is the best song ever! And this is pretty much the best choir I've ever heard. I wonder how much better it would be live, in a cathedral!!!! Oh, and Eric Whitacre is a freakin genius! AHHH I love this song so so so much!!!!
andyyoungification1 1 year ago
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andyyoungification1 1 year ago
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andyyoungification1 1 year ago
this song couldn't have been done any better.
nickgilbertt 1 year ago
@nickgilbertt oh no it gets better.
wait for the eric whitacre singers O.O
ladysquier 1 year ago
You can never have too much bass. Its my favorite part about being a bass.
istorim 1 year ago 2
Hah we get to sing this song this year! This was a whole heck of a lot better than we are but just glad I get to sing it.
johnrobert2 1 year ago
Not a singer. But as a tuba player, GO BASS!
tubamarc8891 1 year ago
@tubamarc8891 haha as a bass myself, I concur!
CrescentFenix 1 year ago
who's the one person who didn't like this? jeez...
CrescentFenix 1 year ago
@CrescentFenix the choir director from BYU
tubamarc8891 1 year ago
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mightysmity7 1 year ago
BYU vs. Polyphony??? lol to close to call!!!!! both amazing no doubt!!! and the piece itself.....welll..... its speaks, rather sings, for itself ;) no need for discription:)
globaltruth08 1 year ago
a BEAUTIFUL piece and a very nice job with the visuals,too! I'm definitely buying the album!
PaulSpitzer1 1 year ago
I think the ending silence is amazing. It left the voices echoing in my head and still are!
RJ132991 1 year ago
CHILLS CHILLS CHILLS CHILLS CHILLS aaaaaaaaaaaaah
steelvenom2003 1 year ago 3
That is such an amazing song it's definitely a chordgasm
Shmzmr 1 year ago 4
@Shmzmr -LOL
TheFlutegirl15 1 year ago
okay. obviously, Sleep is a gorgeous song, and this choir is fantastic. but did anybody notice the insane synchronicity and pitch-perfectness (2 made up words for the win) of the sopranos? their skill is mind-boggling. oh, how i long to be in a professional choir...all the choirs i've ever been in have warbly sopranos who always fight to be heard over the others.
kghobbes 1 year ago
@kghobbes
...kill the warblys, kill the warblys....
eztobeme 1 year ago
For once, words fail me. If I tried to describe how brutally beautiful this song is, I'd ruin it.
AniRemi 1 year ago
I've sung this song in my college chorale (last semester was my last semester doing choir, since I'm not a music major) and I know this is unorthodox, but when our conductor first introduced this song to us, she had us listen to this exact recording to give us an idea of the right balance of sections, text sensitivity, etc. I love Polyphony, and I can speak from a somewhat-experienced musician's viewpoint, they are one of the best choirs I have ever heard.
thecatgotknees 1 year ago
this is absolutley beautiful.
SinginBabe6492 1 year ago
1:03 God I love that chord
dimsimlord 1 year ago
3:44-4:11 I get shivers every time.
ooerme 1 year ago 25
@ooerme Yes! It's heaven's choir!
intensifiedman 1 year ago
@ooerme the entire time is full of shivers
deathpuppet16 11 months ago
@ooerme thats what she said
UnclaspedAbyss 10 months ago
I swear God moves through this man.....
MayaEllington 1 year ago
This performance is phenomenal. I listen to it again and again and it never gets old it. It brings such peace to the heart. Again I'm so impressed! :)
Mr5be 1 year ago 2
This is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard in my life
therealyoungtut 1 year ago
i'm real happy for you i'm going let you finish but a boy and a girl is the best Eric Whitacre song of all time!
this is obscenely gorgeous...
BananaStripesable 1 year ago
I like the strong bass.
royce97 1 year ago
omg excellent bass
NoodlePowa 1 year ago 3
oh my gost, this video was amazing. we are singing this for large group contest this year.
grammacakes 1 year ago
Utterly gorgeous. I'm currently playing timpani for a symphonic band arrangement of this piece, and I thought it'd be good to hear a performance of the choral original, and I'm glad I clicked on this one. Thanks so much for posting!
1taken 1 year ago
it really cuts and melts my soul....
Zyqvx 1 year ago
This composition really touches my inner emotions... so deep and peaceful.. super-duper love it :)
Zyqvx 1 year ago
This song....it stirs emotions in me. It makes my heart fly and my mind melt. It's incredible. Whitacre is the best choral composer I've ever heard.
CantoUcello 1 year ago
Classic choral sound, very beautiful, very mature. Beautiful vowel sounds,, perfect dynamics, wonderfully in tune, but I thought it lacked emotional depth. Also a bit bass heavy, and tenors seemed pushed. second sopranos seemed to disapear, which is a shame since they have some of the most interesting dissonences and resolves in the piece. But all in all, very beautiful.
kweenleah 1 year ago
WOW, listen to that spin on "moon" at 0:11. I keep listening to the first line over and again just to catch their wonderful blend. You can almost sway with it there, like a wave. Absolutely beautiful.
Dontoffermeanything 1 year ago
I LOVE ERIC WHITACRE!!
cellolove7 1 year ago
Sleep....excelente obra
pocillo919 1 year ago
I think this recording and Polyphony's are great in their own way. BYU takes an "off the voice" approach. This allows their vowels to blend, giving a clear and easy sound. With this style comes a issue with tuning, because strong breath energy in essential to tune these thick chords. This is a great choir, so they only go off by a quarter tone or less. Polyphony approaches it with a full, mature sound. They are louder, so it is hard to blend parts, but it is perfectly in tune.
puremanliness 1 year ago
a master piece from the moment it was written. a very epic song
chingchongwillylong 1 year ago
3:50 - 4:11 ... oof.
rachelo93 1 year ago 2
I agree with Snare310, the overall structure flows better with Polyphony. Don't me wrong BYU is beyond talent. I like bass sound. The stronger the pyramids base (bass) the taller it can reach. Whitacre is beyond great.
KnottPatriot 1 year ago 4
I think overall this recording is better than BYU. The half and whole step dissonances ring out so much more in this recording. Plus, I disagree about the bass being too loud. This choir (if you listen to the whole piece, is extremely balanced between sections giving the pyramid of sound any choir generally should have. Every note is soooo in tune in this. I love this piece and choir so much! Perfect job getting every once of emotion and beauty out of this piece polyphony! =]
snare310 1 year ago 47
look up ;Malone University Chorale; (first hit) singing this. it's a mix of pieces but forward to 7:54 ish tell me what you think...this is in oppenheim germany. St. Katerine. acoustics are amazing.
mightysmity7 1 year ago
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@snare310 look up ;Malone University Chorale; (first hit) singing this. it's a mix of pieces but forward to 7:54 ish tell me what you think...this is in oppenheim germany. St. Katerine. acoustics are amazing.
mightysmity7 1 year ago
@snare310 To each his own as far as preference goes, but I must disagree. The BYU recording has so much more "volume" to its tone and a better blend. This is a very nice recording, but the BYU recording is much fuller...ALSO, has anyone heard this set to the Robert Frost poem (pre-revocation)? the music set to THAT text is absolutely ethereal. An artistic tragedy! There is an extant recording out there, and it's glorious...
ohschoirdirector 1 year ago
@ohschoirdirector I totally understand where you are coming from, I suppose it comes down to individual tastes. Granted, you know that Polyphony does one-on-a-part recordings right? BYU's whole choir is singing, which gives it a more "blendy" off the voice sound. One the polyphony recording, each person is in charge of sing on the voice balancing with every other part. I think this tyoe of singing/recording slaps me in the face with a beautiful wall of sound!
snare310 1 year ago
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ohmypoo123 1 year ago
Yes we know all Mormons are ridiculously good at all things music but this recording is rich and crisp. Besides some people may enjoy a bass heavy recording.
Gladpants 1 year ago 2
yeah, I am Mormon, but I like this version better. I'm a bass myself, and enjoy listening to heart pumping bass.
iforgotwhatiwasdoin 1 year ago
I agree, this recording is good, but the bass section stands out too much, and there is too much vibrato at times.
chessmanjk 1 year ago
@chessmanjk What vibrato? This choir has the straightest tone of any choir I've ever heard
BlueBomber2049 1 year ago
@BlueBomber2049: I hear more vibrato in this version--which is an excellent version--than I hear in the BYU Singers version.
rippinsteo 1 year ago
gives me chills everytime
218duluth 1 year ago
Eric Whitacre is probably my favorite composer...that man is a genius, and this is probably my favorite choral work of his. =]
neverdegreenify 1 year ago
My God... viva la voz humana.
estherllita82 1 year ago
this song makes my heart happy, yet sad at the same time...i love this song....and i adore the tenors at 3:50.....this song is so flawless.....i can only dream of being part of a choir this good
thissi234me567to 1 year ago 4
I'm so excited to sing this song In my choir!!!! We are going to Chicago for spring break and this is one of the selections... He is a true genius... <333
erikadarose 1 year ago 2
This is beautiful!
jmm201 1 year ago
so freaking amazing
fallonsmiles1234 1 year ago
Could you include the lyrics in the info section, by any chance?
shiradanielle 2 years ago 2
@shiradanielle The evening hangs beneath the moon
A silver thread on darkened dune
With closing eyes and resting head
I know that sleep is coming soon
Upon my pillow, safe in bed
A thousand pictures fill my head
I cannot sleep my minds a flight
And yet my limbs seem made of lead
flbenjamin 2 years ago 18
@flbenjamin
Thanks. I was away in Puerto Rico and didn't get a chance to respond.
GpD79 1 year ago
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Melimo 1 year ago
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@flibenjamin lol you forgot the rest, and they're the most compelling lyrics...
If there are noises in the night
A fright'ning shadow, flickering light
Then I surrender unto sleep
Where clouds of dreams give second sight
What dreams may come, both dark and deep
Of flying wings and soaring leap
As I surrender unto sleep
Sleep
Melimo 1 year ago
great, but too fast
mindbodylightsound10 2 years ago
Stephen Layton is a good friend and close collaborator with Eric Whitacre. Mr. Layton's choir, Polyphony, has performed several world premieres of Mr. Whitacre's choral pieces. If you watch Mr. Whitacre conducting "Sleep" with the St. Olaf Choir, you'll find that the pace is no faster than this version.
MrHortatory 2 years ago
@mindbodylightsound10 Well, since this is the original recording, I'm guessing this is the speed at which Whitacre meant it to be sung.
heenavah 1 year ago
Of all the Eric Whitacre pieces I've heard, none has ever brought me to such an inner peace or moved in me in such a way as this. Listening to it sent chills down my spine and tears to my eyes. This is not the music of a human being, but that of the higher power moving through one individual man.
Gan596 2 years ago 47
@Gan596 beautifully spoken. You took the words from my mouth.
BiancaLaJoyce 1 year ago
@Gan596 couldn't agree with you more... when sounds this incredible and beautiful are heard.. it can only be of a higher power... :) amazingly unforgetable.....
cirebol01 1 year ago 2
@Gan596 Try also "There Will Be Rest" by Frank Ticheli -- also on YouTube in many versions. I like the one by the Pacific Lutheran University Chorale the best. Ticheli liked their version, too -- he wrote them a note to say so.
PaulSpitzer1 1 year ago 3
@Gan596 I agree with you wholly about this piece being extraordinary, except the part where you took all credit away from Mr. Whitacre. This is not a work "of a higher power" but a work from someone who understands the anatomy of music. I suppose you'd say all the greats of the classical, baroque, 20th century and everyone else with virtuoso talent, is a work of the higher powers too? Please give credit where credit is due. I'm sure you're god will still love you.
RightM0nster 1 year ago 5
@RightM0nster I was JUST going to respond to that post, but you said it very well. Just because something is awe-inspiring does NOT mean it's evidence of some kind of higher power intervening.
Not to mention, that kind of thinking is what lead to the banning of the tri-tone. lol.
DirtyRottenScoundrel 1 year ago 4
@DirtyRottenScoundrel - I tried my hardest to not insult Gan596 but just to pay homage to Mr. Whitacre! I cannot listen to people giving all the credit to god. Thanks for the remark.
RightM0nster 1 year ago
Oh sweet, powerful dissonance!
What dost thou there to my sorrowing soul?
Take me up there gently
And let me go!
Eurofrank1 2 years ago 5
Yes, dissonance is powerful when it's used against a backdrop of consonance. This is music is beautiful because dissonance and consonance are perfectly balanced.
yourforte 2 years ago
@Eurofrank1 if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were George Gordon, Lord Byron. :} Beautiful.
Melimo 1 year ago
Best choir for Whitacre pieces ever. I want to be them. i was in chorus for 10 consecutive years, and in high school I got to sing Sleep, Water Night, and Leonardo.
CrystalFlames 2 years ago
Beautiful.
yourforte 2 years ago