Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst

Commissioned for the 2002 Indiana All-State Band Cloudburst is an adaptation of Whitacre's acclaimed choral work of the same name. Lush and luminescent Cloudburst combines hand bells thunder sheets and the audience (snapping their fingers) transforming the entire theater into a magnificent thunderstorm. A profoundly moving work for musicians and audience.

This a cappella collection of pieces for mixed choir by Eric Whitacre is the first available printed music compilation of its kind for the composer. The book includes pieces of varying difficulty wide-rangingin theme from the iconic Sleep and Water Night to the quietly angelic Lux Aurumque (Light and Gold) and the recent Nox Aurumque (Night and Gold). A Boy and a Girl and ThisMarriage are both wonderfully tender pieces and the inclusion of the early Go Lovely Rose marks the beginning of a journey through Whitacre's choral output from this first success to the present day.Eric Whitacre is a Los Angeles-based composer and conductor who is held in the highest esteem everywhere inspiring and motivating a new generation of singers and musicians. His music creates a visceral impassioned response in audiences and performers. In 2008 the all-Whitacre choral CD 'Cloudburst' released by the British ensemble Polyphony on Hyperion Records became and unexpected international best-seller topping theclassical charts and earning a Grammy nomination. The BBC raves that 'what hits you straight between the eyes is the honesty optimism and sheer belief that passes any pretension. This is music that can actually make yousmile'.

This is the third setting of words by Octavio Paz (Water Night; Cloudburst) from this successful young California composer. Little Birds pays homage to Gabriel Fauré with its running piano part and fluid sensual melodies. According to the composer 'it holds mysterious and magical effects' imitating delicate birds. Suitable for festival or competition use. The piano part available separately as well as in the vocal score. Moderately difficult.