Water Night by Eric Whitacre - String Version

[SingInTune]

And I'm lovin' this key !!

[SingInTune]

Ah yes.. Just what I needed. A rehearsal tape : D Strings are perfect for that. Freakin' Lovely!!!

[JustSamantha15]

Eric Whitacre Pieces: ORGASMIC.

We're playing Lux Aurumque in advanced wind ensemble and no one likes it because it's slow and takes UBER patience. But I love it. I love slow pieces the most. Whenever I hear, "Take out the Whitacre!" I get excited.

[JaredTVW]

1:13 - 1:27 just sounds like someone pouring out their in sorrow! Just gorgeous!

[beatboxer7020]

this sounds like something to be in harry potter. it is so mystical and magical and just.. wonderful!

[Loryos]

Violin solo at 1:25 LOL

[jthameschoir08]

Where did Whitacre get that logo?

[Troubleshooter125]

WOW ... THAT was STUNNING! I've heard Sleep arranged for wind ensemble and that was excellent, but this was ... WHEW!

[Wowzer33]

I thought I read that this is actually the vocal arrangement the string players and composer just divided it amongst the strings.

[amistrymister]

Almost fainted at 1:47-1:51

[iloveredsox7020]

@amistrymister lol that chord shouldnt be lleagal!

[CharlieBladeRemus]

@amistrymister Whitacre is definitely known for his use of tone clusters and dissonances lol, but it ends up being some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard! :)

[amistrymister]

@CharlieBladeRemus Yes I know. I've trawled through loads of Whitacre scores. I mean I wouldn't personally call them dissonances; they're reminiscent of modal jazz, so there are loads of modes up in his music, so they don't really sound dissonant - they are modes such that every note of the scale related to that chord sounds very consonant! They're clusters and clashes for sure, but not necessarily dissonances. But whatever! It's great music!

[Euphmaster69]

I dunno, these string arrangements don't really do it for me....if you want to hear a great recording buy the CD Cloudburst by Stephen Layton: Polyphony. It is all Whitacre and is one of the best CD's I own. 

[iloveredsox7020]

@Euphmaster69 i have that cd to.. but im suprised u dont like theese arrangments for string.. i think thay are freggin amazing.. is it just beacuse you have heard sang by a choir and u like that better?

[Euphmaster69]

@iloveredsox7020 Haha I dunno, I just like the way the chorus version sounds. Hey you're really pretty. Are you from boston?

[iloveredsox7020]

@Euphmaster69 ha.. thank you.. ya im form boston

[TheReighnart]

The "if you open your eyes" phrase was sweet, but the part right after it needed more volume. 

[llo43]

i cant get enough of this song or any of eric whitacre. I LOVE IT!!

[shmoo911]

there must of been one person that was crying so hard that they accidentally hit "dislike"!!! :0

[cbrown6660]

I was looking for relaxing music for my fourth grade class, and I stumbled across this... I literally got chills all over my body with the first phrase... amazing!

[jaivazquez]

I swear Eric W. is THE best composer of our time... I honestly have mad respect and Love for Mr.Whitacre. If you guys also like his orchestra.. listen to october by him also... its wonderful..

[todwfish]

I think this is beautiful, but I agree with the individual who said the power of the dissonance is lost in the strings. I believe the use of vibrato in strings is overdone and makes it lose some effects.

[alery998]

Its amazing how different the feeling is between this and the choral version, yet the beauty in both are astounding

[seizetheday224]

I love strings, don't get me wrong, but I feel like the effect of the dissonant harmonies is lost when translated into orchestra.

[booya321]

I think Eric Whitacre needs to start composing for film.

[BeccaCullen111]

@booya321 i 100% agree

[BeccaCullen111]

2:04 is my fav part <3

[iloveredsox7020]

@booya321 have u heard his song seal lullaby? that was oroginally meant for a dinsey movie.. they asked him to write it.. but then the producers decided to make kung fu panda.. and they never used the peice of music he had written fot them...

[mirro379]

@booya321 Check out POTC 4. He worked with Hans Zimmer on the mermaid theme. Two of the greatest 21st century composers combined to create music.

[Drumsetkid23]

@booya321 sorry i did not mean to vote down. GREAT IDEA

[cj1lorenz]

@booya321 He just wrote one of the songs for the latest Pirates of the Caribean movie

[Joebo3]

@booya321 I'm shocked that he doesn't.

[PixieChic447]

@booya321 Actually on his website he says co-composed the Mermaid theme from Pirates of the Carribean 4 with Hanz Zimmer, he conducted the choral sessions and his wife, Hila Plitmann invented the mermaid language (Hebrew, Latin and the Elvish language) they're singing and she did all the solo parts, actually check it out, The song is called Hans Zimmer- Mermaids

[PreyingMantisMan]

@booya321 go watch Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides :) He did a song with Hans Zimmer called "Mermaids"

[beatboxer7020]

@PreyingMantisMan AHH OMG!!! two of the world best composers evah!

[takeitsaxman2012]

@booya321 He co-wrote the mermaid theme with Hans Zimmer on the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie, so he's definitely breaking into that genre....

[kismet910]

What orchestra is performing this piece?

[ciaconne90]

strings are different in passion and how they can emote.

[MusicEdACB]

One word... amazingly beautiful! (ok so 2)

[DoNxJuAnX]

This kinda also makes me think about the end of the world, and how not to be afraid, because really, the end is just a new beginning =']

[DoNxJuAnX]

This sounds like something out of Final Fantasy...I LOVE IT!

[stupidfool]

I actually WANT to CRY when i hear this.....

[JuicyDBASE]

This makes me think of two things. One, being able to go amongst the planets and the stars, beholding this earth and universe that Heavenly Father has created. And two, the day that we will face our lord and savior Jesus Christ. Seeing him with our own eyes, realizing all our flaws, and importantly; realizing all he has done for us, even every one. Two things that to me with my knowledge would be the most magnificent things I would ever be able to see with my own eyes.

[blindmagi]

For me, the lyrics add just that little bit of emotional oomph... especially at the end: "Night brings its wetness to beaches in your soul," and on "soul" all of the vocal parts separate and I go into a trance brought on by the sublimity of the entire experience. Still, these strings give me chills. Absolutely beautiful.

[Dominishi]

It's so incredibly beautiful!!!!!

[lvrofusher]

i love this soo much, i love strings!

[bull912000]

Whitacre's pieces are hard enough to sing; I couldn't imagine playing them on strings.

[missmcbeth420]

So beautiful! Thank you for posting!

[songbird72290]

I have not cried during an orchestra piece that is so contemporary before. There is so much emotion in this, I cannot help but tear up as soon as it starts!

[KaneliAmabele]

Oh my gosh that was gorgeous.

[youwish2haha]

ok, if this is after just practicing once, i'm pretty sure i'd jizz myself if you had a few months to perfect it!

Amazing Job!!

[CityofLight11]

That was indeed rather pretty O:

[crazyelliexxxx23]

oh my god... :O

[1125jdg]

1:13 - 1:40 is the most powerful moment i've ever experienced created by a string ensemble. bravo

[Geekella]

this is awesome

[TheFlutegirl15]

Okay, so one of the tenors in our chamber choir told me how the string version of this piece feels so much more melancholy and sad, and boy is he right. The vocal version for me is incredible, but now I know what he means by sad...dang, its so emotive...I can't really explain it, but it sounds like it should be coming out of some war movie-its beautiful though.

[audreymb13]

beyond comprehension.

[Dontoffermeanything]

Omg I loooove strings. 2:30 - 3:30 is just heavenly! I love Mr. Whitacre's choral pieces, but this is seriously wonderful. Especially for someone who really appreciates the glory of strings. Awesome.

[970063]

@Dontoffermeanything okay let me just say that I love this piece as well and those two parts as well as 2:58-3:05. Its like we're on the same melodic (or in this case) harmonic wave length... lol. but listen to the pasage i suggested again and tell how you like that part! lol.

[whitacrefreeman]

it just doesn't pack the same punch as the words do. i like it, but i just like the original better.

[Qrazout]

my girlfriend saw him live in Col. OH and turned me on to this. Wow.

[elphie1415]

choral version of lux arumque is in C# minor, but the band version is in C minor,

The choral version of Water night is in Bb minor, but this orchestral version is in B minor

[choirnerd101]

OMG. That is soooooooo COOL! XD I prefer it to be sung, but that sounds so beautiful.Such are the works of Eric Whitacre.

[bboymasochist]

Well, I like it in Bbm better, but it isn't bad in Bm. I guess moving to the sharp key was THAT important. Haha.

[tsunamipanda05]

Yeah it's the same with Lux Aurumque.

The choral work is in E, but the wind ensemble version it's in Eb. I guess he changed it around to convey it in the same light (no pun intended), and to make it easier for the players.

[kutipi234]

Actually, the piece Lux is in C# minor and was transcribed to C minor. :) Same number of sharps, different key. :)

I love the work though! Beautiful and just stunning...

[wrdnacpr]

As a string player, it's easier to play in Bm than Bbm. Trust me.

[bboymasochist]

Oh I know. I was just pointing out that it was changed.

[musicman8493]

i'm guessing that it was transposed to make it a bit easier for the strings. Bbm is a pretty tough key to play in for strings... but i guess any orchestra that was tackling this piece could probably handle it haha

[BboyMusick]

I like the string version better. For some reason string instruments get to me more. The choral version is nice but this version to me conveys so many more moods and feelings. So methodical. Amazing.

[EstherJayOk]

eric is my hero, he totally gave me a new perspective on music.

his work is just .....wow.

I'm shocked this his work hasn't been on any films.

[thomasburtable]

he may not want to sell his soul into the film business

[KillerMaggot66]

Some of the notes in the chords get lost unlike in the choral version.

Still absolutely gorgeous.

Whitacre is an absolute genius.

[TheSaltyDogy]

i love the new 25 part chord

[superman84241]

lol its only 7 part ...its every note in a Db scale just voiced very largely

[TheSaltyDogy]

oh well thats what eric said on his blog so idk

[superman84241]

well its 25 different parts....but there is only 7 notes being played if that makes since

[erVixon]

I just found this on his myspace and I'm so glad you put it on here!!!

I was pessimistic about this version at first, but once I heard it I thought it was amazing.

[elphie1415]

i absolutely love the contrast between the

choral version and this string verion. this version is more mournful and sad, but glorious as well, while the choir has a very dark and beautiful sound. I think it has to do with the key change, because this is in B minor, and the choir version is in B-flat minor, which have different sound moods.

I love this version and the choir. this song is just so beautiful.

[CharlieBladeRemus]

@elphie1415 I agree. B minor can be a somewhat sad key, but when you put it with the general timbre of string instruments, it can really be sooooooooo emotional/sad. That's one of the wonderful things I love about music; how one change in the layout of a song (i.e., key change or instrumentation) can make such a difference in its emotional quality.

[Howitzer89]

How on earth did you download this to put into a youtube video?

[Conkabar]

mmmmm overtones

[MarialeIAm]

This is just AMAZING!! where can I get it? It sounds as great as the vocal version!!

[AriaRP]

This is wonderful. I performed this with my choir in high school, so I know the song very well. As much as I love the vocal arrangement, this is just as beautiful. The range and continuity of the strings is amazing.

[Skyler827]

This is amazing. It feels like a person discovering something

or arriving somewhere

or reminiscing something that cuts to the very core

of what he/she does/is...

[Kefka24]

B minor is, in my opinion, the most mournful key in history. Add mourning strings to that, and I'm practically mourning with it. This piece is so beautiful on both mediums.

Simply breathtaking.

[yoplaitdude1807]

beautiful

[christoperfect]

Thank you so so so so so much! What Orchestra is this and is it possible for you to email me an mp3 of this? I would be FOREVER grateful!

[kutipi234]

That is the CCM (College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati) String Orchestra. I am a bit proud to say this, since I live in Cincinnati myself. :)

[christoperfect]

I'd be proud as well! This is gorgeous. =D

[Mwansahh]

One of my favourite Whitacre pieces. The string arrangement most certainly offers a very different feel in comparison to the choral work. Not to say one is better than the other, however I do feel that the text in this piece is so extremely important to the overall feel and texture and..well, until strings can talk, that element is missing. (Just my two cents) It is still beautiful though! Very, very nice.

[superman84241]

1st comment