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Product Description
CD Description
Light and Gold is the first in a stunning collection of Eric Whitacre’s choral works conducted for the first time by Eric himself and performed by The Eric Whitacre Singers, Laudibus and friends.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Never has a choral recording been more appropriately titled than Eric Whitacre's new CD `Light and Gold'
It is a selection of pieces polished to burnished gold, with tonal and harmonic beauty. Look further within those tight harmonic lines, which almost sit in each others laps, and the intricacies of the works become apparent as well as the shining simplicity and deeply personal meaning behind these pieces.
The Eric Whitacre Singers make a highly polished debut, obviously bathed in this composer's music, supported on this recording by Laudibus and The King's Singers. The other star of the recording is the almost Cathedral-like acoustic of St Silas' Church, Kentish Town, London. The warmth and clarity of the recording and acoustic add to the awe of the pieces and provide Light to that burnished gold.
The pieces themselves are a veritable rainbow and I would encourage you to read the accompanying booklet before you listen, which put the pieces into context. Some booklets are simply marketing / promotional bumph, but not this one....
My particular favourites are `The Seal Lullaby', based on a Rudyard Kipling story, and `I thank you God for most this amazing day'
When listening to new choral music, as well as intricate highly professional pieces, I also seek pieces that offer repertoire to amateur choirs and the piece that I hope will be taken up by choirs across the UK is the beautiful Hebrew love song `Kala Kalla (Light Bride)'.
It is a selection of pieces polished to burnished gold, with tonal and harmonic beauty. Look further within those tight harmonic lines, which almost sit in each others laps, and the intricacies of the works become apparent as well as the shining simplicity and deeply personal meaning behind these pieces.
The Eric Whitacre Singers make a highly polished debut, obviously bathed in this composer's music, supported on this recording by Laudibus and The King's Singers. The other star of the recording is the almost Cathedral-like acoustic of St Silas' Church, Kentish Town, London. The warmth and clarity of the recording and acoustic add to the awe of the pieces and provide Light to that burnished gold.
The pieces themselves are a veritable rainbow and I would encourage you to read the accompanying booklet before you listen, which put the pieces into context. Some booklets are simply marketing / promotional bumph, but not this one....
My particular favourites are `The Seal Lullaby', based on a Rudyard Kipling story, and `I thank you God for most this amazing day'
When listening to new choral music, as well as intricate highly professional pieces, I also seek pieces that offer repertoire to amateur choirs and the piece that I hope will be taken up by choirs across the UK is the beautiful Hebrew love song `Kala Kalla (Light Bride)'.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Eric Whitacre is truly great and original composer and this is fine introduction to his music. However I prefer the previous album of his music by Stephen Layton and Polyphony. The recorded sound is simply more natural and affecting.
However, as the albums only slightly overlap on repertoire, I would not hesitate to recommend both.
However, as the albums only slightly overlap on repertoire, I would not hesitate to recommend both.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have had this CD for about 8 months and have been reserving judgment on it until now. None of the tunes are particularly catchy and for me at least it was not as easy to get to know as, say, Britten or Bartok. So my first impression was 'sounds beautiful but is the same all the way through and rather anodyne at that'.
But some features started to catch the ear: Whitacre has a wonderful way of relishing scrunchy discords which don't quite sound like anyone else.
It is too much to digest in one go so I tried picking a single song and then listening to it over and over while closely following the text, and eventually my ears opened up. His way with setting the words is rather wonderful and part of the pleasure is the way he brings out the meaning. For example, try the way he sets 'opened' at the end of track 12.
After all this time I still haven't been able to make sense of all the tracks, but I do really love Lux Aurumque (1), A Boy and a Girl (8), Three Songs of Faith (10-12) and Sleep (16) and I am sure these are little masterpieces.
I note some reviewers dismiss this CD as light weight or sugary, but I can't really see that myself, with the possible exception of the Seal Lullaby (track 7). Maybe the initial impression of blandness (which I experienced too) was the cause.
After several months' exposure to the music I can see that the songs are actually quite varied and no longer all sound the same. Whitacre has a rather distinctive style which is quite new and original - this is probably why many of us don't 'get it' at first hearing.
But do persevere - you may be glad you did.
But some features started to catch the ear: Whitacre has a wonderful way of relishing scrunchy discords which don't quite sound like anyone else.
It is too much to digest in one go so I tried picking a single song and then listening to it over and over while closely following the text, and eventually my ears opened up. His way with setting the words is rather wonderful and part of the pleasure is the way he brings out the meaning. For example, try the way he sets 'opened' at the end of track 12.
After all this time I still haven't been able to make sense of all the tracks, but I do really love Lux Aurumque (1), A Boy and a Girl (8), Three Songs of Faith (10-12) and Sleep (16) and I am sure these are little masterpieces.
I note some reviewers dismiss this CD as light weight or sugary, but I can't really see that myself, with the possible exception of the Seal Lullaby (track 7). Maybe the initial impression of blandness (which I experienced too) was the cause.
After several months' exposure to the music I can see that the songs are actually quite varied and no longer all sound the same. Whitacre has a rather distinctive style which is quite new and original - this is probably why many of us don't 'get it' at first hearing.
But do persevere - you may be glad you did.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
cool cd
Arrived promptly and in good condition. Loveley cd to chill out to or (according to my daughter) to study by. Good 'mood music'!
Published 5 months ago by Kate
Beautiful
I have only recently started listening to classical and choral music and this cd is a fantastic introduction. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Emily
LIGHT AND GOLD
I first heard of Eric Whitacre when I was sent an email explaining how he put together this amazing sounding "choir" of over 900 people. The music is truly amazing. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Carolann
Nice music pity about the recording quality
We bought this CD and ripped it into our Audio PC at home. I played it using J-River 16 media centre, Wyred4Sound DAC-2, mono-pwr amps and great speakers. Read more
Published 8 months ago by stephen Holt
Light & Gold - Eric Whitacre
Light & Gold This music is extraordinarily beautiful and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience the beauty of close harmonies which lift the listener to... Read more
Published 9 months ago by N. Lacey
Choral music can be a hit
People involved in choral music already knew that Whitacre is a splendid composer. This cd HAD to be good, and it really IS. Anyway we miss more new pieces. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Ioannes Thyrsus
Refined sugar
I bought this CD on the strength of a rave review in The Gramophone, having only heard a piece by Whitacre once before. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Charles M
Vacuous, marketing targeted
I have listened to about three-quarters of this disc, with ever-increasing bewilderment as to other reviewers' conviction that this emperor is wearing clothes. Read more
Published 17 months ago by R. Stock
Choral music light
I bought this on the strength of radio ads and listening to short clips. It is superbly performed and well produced. However the music itself disappoints. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Malcolm Allsop
A Stunningly Good Choral Album!
The music here is just sublime. Beautifully sung; sparse and spiritual, yet modern. This chills you, lifts, you, allows you to contemplate. Read more
Published 17 months ago by David Lusher
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