A Silence Haunts Me - Jake Runestad, Todd Boss

[@emilymulcahy5377]

ngl almost cried a little at the silence at the end. I was like "wow I can barely hear- oh."

[@kiwiwella]

My school’s choir sang this song and it made me realize how much we take our hearing for granted. There is music in everything whether it be the cracking of a wild fire or a babies first laugh. To lose that would be devastating. A world without music, is a world without soul.

[@ddenisehhoy8369]

Ahhh the conducting in silence at the end gave me chills honestly

[@hallieackerman]

the pleading in “let me hear” forever brings me to tears as a performer myself. 😭

[@bthurgood6664]

Goodness gracious WHY and HOW does music have the power to make us cry?!

[@vikki.b._]

Being lucky enough to be in the Helzberg Hall - it was magical. You could hear people breathing. You could hear people STOP breathing. I'm so glad I can revisit this amazing moment. Thank you so much Jake, Todd, Lynda, and the CU Chapel Choir.

[@carolynhamilton6870]

Not gonna lie I cried in the middle there, now I wanna go back in time and show this to Beethoven, and tell him “don’t worry, THIS is your legacy. THIS is your inspiration. You will be remembered.” :’(

[@Jay26x]

Yes! :((

[@lukasprchal9185]

Well, he got cited ;)

[@rideronthedrumbeat]

my director (who saw this premier live at ACDA) told me this piece changed his life. at first I honestly didn't believe him. I do now

[@hunterk7838]

Mine also saw this, and was laying it on about how amazing it was. I really wasn't expecting it to be THIS good.

[@MrxEVILCRAZYx]

I third this statement. Both of my directors wouldn't keep quiet about it. Now I too understand why..

[@jacobhelbig6967]

@@MrxEVILCRAZYx i fourth this statement. we watched it projected onto a screen in our concert hall when he was back.

[@TAYDEN_BACCAM]

Jacob Helbig I fifth this statement. Heard a choir do it in a joint concert we had. Stunning.

[@raffyferrer4257]

This morning, i was contemplating whether I would show up on rehearsals anymore because I have lost my love for singing after I suffered having vocal nodes. I cried at how this music resembled my own grief. I felt that silence during those last bars.

[@saraho7961]

John Raphael Ferrer i am so sorry youve had to experience something so frustrating and heartbreaking :( i hope the best for you

[@jacobvenhuizen3840]

Jake, this is so expertly crafted. This work truly takes you to an emotional plane of what it must have felt like to lose the thing that brought him his livelihood. The choir conveys that emotion expertly. The motifs and quotes of Beethoven are a nice touch and I love the fugue subject in the middle. And by the end the complete pantomime of the ensemble literally mimicking what he experienced in his life. Absolutely stunning. Love as always.

[@JakeRunestad]

Thank you so much!

[@itsunworldly]

I entirely agree. This is the best choral performance I have ever hear (no pun intended) thank you Mr Runestad for this marvelous production!

[@gibsonbe1]

These are my thoughts exactly!

[@DougHanson2769]

Jacob Ven Huizen Excellent writing man. The Op.27 -2 Moonlight Sonata, hits the heart. You’ve got a great ear. The fugue or round in the middle was marvelous.

[@DougHanson2769]

Jake Runestad Hi Jake, My son had the privilege to sing your piece in High School just a couple months ago. Thank you for sharing your excellence. Very Emotional. I Believe listening to this, makes me and some others want to be a better a person/people. Sound a bit cheesy? Probably. Anyway My son loves the song too. Bravo

[@MetalArsonist]

This is the first song that i cried at my first listening The composition, the lyrics, the dissonances, the chords, the dynamics, they're all perfect Maybe because I'm studying in a major that give importance to hearing I feel deeply resonated with the music I can't wait to show my choir master this song

[@michaelschindlbeck1969]

I'm gonna be honest, I didn't get the ending at first. What a way to turn music into living, breathing poetry! So much meaning behind every note... I could listen to this a hundred times and probably not understand all the nuance. Outstanding piece of art.

[@everythingtotallyrandom2582]

It’s been 3 years, and I still come back here, and I experience the emotion of singing it all over again. Every time I sang this with my choir. Every rehearsal. Every performance. I would be moved to tears. Hearing the agony and desperation in the music, only to feel the strength as well. This will always hold a special place in my heart, and my life.

[@jaimecarter3988]

My choir just performed this and it takes all my willpower to not cry actual tears while singing it. So powerful.

[@patrickproctor3462]

Those of the world who would dare declare art is dead have yet to see and hear this.

[@sdoowramaj]

This! Amazing composition! Great use of harmony. Very tasteful quotes of "Moonlight Sonata" and "An die Freude". The choir was amazing. The consonants alone are worth writing home about. This conductor is breathtaking. She really embodied the music.

[@avastovall3745]

5:50, when the men sing “in chains” it sounds like they’re breaking down themselves (as if they are Beethoven emotionally repeating that Motif), and it might be my favorite nuance of the song.

[@sameerjoseph6393]

As someone who has had the honor of singing "Let My Love Be Heard" and is in love with many of your other pieces. I am in love with your work and this piece as many of yours just pulls at thy heart like nothing else, but in a way, only music can. Thank you for the music- Walton Chorus

[@kevinstoddard9617]

Sameer Joseph I agree.

[@AlexByars]

Greatest moment of ACDA 2019. I’ll always remember this.

[@helenpanshin5589]

"He was an artist. And what he was, he was only through music. The thorns of life had wounded him deeply. So he held fast to his art, even when the gate through which it entered was shut. Music spoke through a deafened ear to he who could no longer hear it. He carried the music in his heart." -Bernard Rose, "Immortal Beloved"

[@pastor-tom-sims]

This is a reason that you are now one of my favorite contemporary composers. First, you select a theme and a poem that plumbs to soul of humanity and spiritual torment. Then, you poke around and mine for grace and the capacity to cope, hope, and continue. Ludwig moves from despair to hope without sickening superfluity. Like the chef/gourmand who cannot eat, he prepares a feast of which he cannot partake, You have laid out a feast for us from which we can partake and we are most satisfied.

[@GaryGiggles]

I had the privilege of experiencing the premiere of this piece. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to hear and see. It gave me a new perspective on what it means to be a human and musician. Thank you, Jake, and all who were involved in the creation and performance of this masterpiece. This is a work of artistic genius that will live with me forever.

[@JakeRunestad]

Thank you so much!

[@samsamsammartinmusic]

i love the line “the very music of my soul”

[@declanfraney6372]

This is one of the most brilliant choral pieces I've ever heard. Amazingly written, expertly performed, and amazing conducting. Thank you Jake for writing this piece and letting this choir perform it.

[@sabakes]

I will never forget this performance. It was magical. I was fortunate enough to be in that hall when it was premiered. Jake, you are the GOAT. We are truly blessed in the music fraternity to have you.

[@danielleallison8685]

My choir director recommended this piece to us, particularly for the phenomenal diction of the choir, but also because it truly moved him. I wholeheartedly agree with him, this might be my favorite choral piece I've ever heard.

[@keighlysocha5364]

This is so beautiful. This is one of the songs I believe I will find myself listening to when I find myself beginning to forget why I am so passionate about music. I love this so much. Thank you for creating this piece.

[@ryanpatrick1048]

I don’t have the right words, but this shook me. I’m crying

[@cubsterplayz4289]

My choir director has us performing this piece in May, and she introduced it to us by saying that it took her through every emotion twice. I could not agree more. Absolutely beautiful.

[@morgannunez8818]

a piece that never fails to make me cry

[@gagenissen6162]

Every time I listen to this piece I feel a tidal wave of emotions that brings me to tears. And that is what makes this piece of music magical... that shows people that even in their darkest hour that we have the strength to persevere. That when it seems like the world is caving in and your life is shaken to the core... there is music. There is still light at the end of the tunnel, there is still love to be shared, and there is still peace. I think it’s safe to say as a sophomore in high school that this piece has something for everyone. No matter what age you are or whatever background you come from there will always be a connection to this piece. So thank you Jake Runestad for giving us this gift music and soul, you are an inspiration for all of us.

[@bluelightsaber1098]

I love the haunting ending to this piece. This was a great piece of music.

[@22maestro]

I thought I had been touched by music before and then I went to this convention. This was something beyond words, and unlocked emotions I never thought existed in me. The craftsmanship of this song and the choir that delivered it are beyond measure. Thank you Jake.

[@JakeRunestad]

Thank you, Paul.

[@maureenkelly7771]

They sounds like they felt the pain and put it into words like they all felt it personally!!

[@cassienether7741]

I was trying so hard not to cry when I first heard this

[@ecurbnosrub]

Today was one of those days where I needed a Jake Runestad fix (they come around every so often ever since I had the privilege of performing The Peace of Wild Things many years ago). Anyway, I listened again to The Peace of Wild Things, A Silence Haunts Me, Please Stay and Let My Love Be Heard. As usual, I smiled and cried and felt settled deep in my soul.

[@Jay26x]

Beautiful.

[@MashuCashew]

Best rendition out there. Your Music Director is masterful.

[@caseygriffith6292]

Haunting. Beautiful. Touching.

[@laurenj432]

God this is beautiful

[@dansullivanstudios]

I can’t get over how wonderful this performance is. Some of the best diction I have ever heard from a choir, honestly.

[@trevorm6746]

Our choir teacher showed us this today as an example of a great choir, but oh my gosh did I discover a heart wrenching piece of music. I teared up at the part that was like,"Exiled in chains" and the part after that said to take anything of his but his sight. What an absolute masterpiece Mr. Runestad. Our choir has sang a couple of your songs before and they were always a work of art. You are a musical genius

[@Jenifer.flute20]

The Salt Lake Choral Artists had our season opener a little over a week ago, and the Vocal Artists sang this. The entire audience as well as the other singers were just speechless. So powerful.

[@JeremyDuncan]

A beautiful song. Dr. Holcomb showed us this piece, and it literally stopped my heart for 13 minutes. Losing my hearing has always been my biggest fear, and this truly was perfect manifestation of what my imagination has explored.

[@hmusic197]

What a beautiful tribute to one of the world’s great composers.

[@brittanycraigo2191]

I’m not crying you’re crying. This is breathtaking.

[@origin484]

In June 2024, I and roughly forty other singers performed this at the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, conducted by Dr Michael Barrett. This piece has not left my mind, and continues to ‘haunt’ me. I would consider it one of my favorite pieces I’ve ever come across. There is so much weight and beauty to it both because of and in spite of the tragedy Beethoven goes through. Thank you for your work

[@lightsandesune3761]

I love this piece ending.

[@KenzieGehrke]

I have been dying to hear this since my choir conductor Dr. Durlam came back from ACDA. So beautiful and tragic.

[@pbsinger]

I was deeply touched by this. Tears are still flowing. You so expertly capture the exquisite pain of l deep and traffic loss. Thank you for touching my soul.

[@pbsinger]

Tragic, not traffic.

[@DougHanson2769]

Dangerous using the dissonances yet very appropriate and straight up awesome. 1802. The Letter

[@AmanKaur-xt4yn]

They did an amazing job of enunciating the words. If they hadn’t, you wouldn’t be able to feel the pain and anguish through the piece. I truly think they did an amazing job with this! Very emotional 🥺

[@rye_bread1830]

I was fortunate enough to be able to hear this piece live at that premier at ACDA and if I had to use one phrase to describe that performance, it would be 'hauntingly beautiful.' I wish I could turn back time to experience this again.

[@Macfish1163]

Jake, I was left in tears and shaken to the core. Especially in the silence. Well done!

[@JakeRunestad]

[@rebeccalatham797]

I was at the premier of this piece and the mood in the room after the piece was finished is something I desperately want to experience again. The stillness was beautiful.

[@nanook893]

This is the most powerful piece I've ever had the privilege to perform. The sound it commands is palpable. I've never been drenched in such a heavy silence before. It really made me appreciate what we do as music makers. Painting sound.... Sorry. Long post.

[@colbylinebarger3706]

This is simply miraculous. A riveting composition paired with the most glorious choral sound.

[@huntercelesky3805]

😮 I cant believe my 👂 what a tear jerker we’ll done jake runestead

[@jordynmcgowen3019]

The first time I heard this was with the salt lake choral artists on a high school field trip earlier this year, and I was sobbing about 5 minutes in, but it was so hard to cry in silence. I hang on every word of this song. love the concept. so glad that this exists. Seriously.

[@judyarthur4872]

I was at the performance and was amazed by this gift that Jake gave us; watching and listening to it again just confirms my thought that this is a beautiful and rare work of art. The performers-conductor, choir, pianist, all are simply stunning. Thank you, all.

[@Tei_022]

Dude, this gave me straight up shivers down my spine.

[@ivanhendr]

This is a masterpiece

[@meghanroum]

I have chills!!

Dear Jake, this piece is so intense, and it tells so many things. Ever time I watch this video I get a different sensation. I had the honor to sing it under Dr. John Dickson’s direction with the LSU A Cappella Singers. Thank you so much for giving this beautiful gift to the world.

[@audreycann3851]

What a perfect way to spend my Spring Break! It was such a wonderful time collaborating with you, Jake. So happy this is up!! It's so different listening outside of our sound!

[@lydwinaofschiedam2685]

OMG!!!

[@annemarie3504]

this is so emotionally beautiful

[@caitlinflemm7932]

the end of this piece gets me every time!!! such beautiful artistry!

[@StanManMusic]

Jake, I was there to see and hear this live. Beautiful and moving!! Amazing work.

[@WhereIsLegend]

Earlier this week I heard this song for the first time. UWF’s choir performed it. As a kid who never grew up properly to this type of music, I was never super passionate about this. Then the silence came. There was a good 30 seconds where I was heavily confused. “Are they not singing at all, or am I deaf- OHHHH.” It hit me in my mind. Then I reminisced on the lyrics. This is a very powerful and emotional piece. We always take advantage of our hearing in our lives instead of appreciating it. A life without music is a life of never ending pain. “Without soul” as someone else put it. We can only imagine what Beethoven went through during this period. The fact that he was still able to keep going was impressive. Overall an awesome piece that put me back into love for this style of music. Great stuff! •_•

[@giannamontella9729]

One of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard. So lucky I was able to be there for the premier. Thank you.

[@jackieb8265]

just heard this performed at the coral ridge presbyterian church near ft lauderdale florida....it was so painfully beautiful that i was left in tears.....the music conveyed the despair of beethoven on losing his hearing as he sends his "kiss to the world"......and the silent conducting at the end is something i will never forget.....it brought us into his world...his suffering ..his humanity...thank you for this exquisite work of art.

[@devonwillmore807]

I am a student from the stow munroe falls highschool and also a student of Mr. Nickolas Campagna and he showed us this piece and I have fallen in love with this song. This song is more then just a song, it’s art and emotion crafted by a man that knows what he is doing. This song has inspired me to pursue music and I can’t tell u how much this song means to me. It is the most beautiful song I have ever heard and I cannot congratulate you enough for making such a perfect piece. I can’t thank you enough either. Please keep making art. U make live more beautiful with ur music and I cannot thank you enough for inspiring me and the people of choir.

[@amazing_ant1483]

Ughhhhhh Jake Runestad is very good at giving everyone chills with his work but I love this piece by far and the story you've gave from that letter, I've felt the pain from each and every word ;-;

[@hoffy63]

Utterly breath taking and deeply emotional. How incredibly privileged to be in this ensemble for this premiere, and for those of us privileged to experience it..

[@alizeematon9633]

I remember, at first, when the piano started i thought: "what a weird music!". But I came back, again and again. The lyrics and the pain we can feel in this music makes me chill. This is a masterpiece. Thank you for this music

[@maryhowe6025]

Astounding! Beautifully directed and performed.

[@IsaiahWu]

Wow. Just wow.

[@gluhhhver]

I think this just changed my life.

[@knkyarn8144]

I just heard this piece live for the first time and it was an insane experience. The choir I saw was wearing masks and they added sign language at the end of of the piece since their faces weren’t visible, which added a lot. This is now one of my favourite choral works. It’s so beautiful and really portrays the emotions Beethoven must have felt as he lost his hearing

[@hillry6345]

I was just wondering how much more sign language couldve enhanced this already incredibly powerful piece. I wish I could’ve seen it as well. It must have been one hell of an experience to watch that

[@peterdubois3899]

Jake and Todd - thank you for this incredible gift! I was privileged to be at the premiere last week in Kansas City, and was overwhelmed with the power of this piece. It resonated with me deeply then, and continues to do so. Brilliant work...and a stunning performance by the Capital U Chapel Choir!! Bravo, bravo, bravo! - Peter DuBois, Rochester, NY

[@madig.1153]

From start to finish I was absolutely entranced. Breathtaking.

[@addie4770]

Very moving. One of my fave piece of yours- the whole song was very emotional, especially the end which is especially chilling

[@jaynyathi2856]

This is incredible. Thank you for your breathtaking work!

[@marcocabrera892]

what a beautiful piece!

[@mfrmll3786]

Ironically, as a newly hearing impaired person, I am going to have to find my old headphones in order to appreciate this......I could not hear a SINGLE word of the conductor's voice OR a SINGLE word of sound and barely the music, at this computer's highest level of sound......and this is unusual for me. I USED to sing Soprano in a number of choirs, involving competitions in Canada and Europe. Music NO longer MOVES ME. For the past 30 years I have lived in UTTER silence. There was a time that music met me in dark caves but NOW I NO LONGER crave the LIGHT..it HURTS TOO MUCH. Beethoven has met HIS Match!!!!! And I have survived CAVES most people know NOTHING about.......perhaps one day I too will find transcendence and HEAR the sounds of those incredibly beautiful PIPES in that glorious building......which are Hauntingly STILL.

[@aprettylittlemonster]

Oh my goodness, this is stunning! I love how you quoted so many of Beethoven’s musical themes and incorporated different classical compositional devices. Those subtle historical nuances worked so well within the greater modern composition. And what a chilling ending. Job well done! I would love the opportunity to conduct this one day. Props to this conductor, too. Her gesture is so beautiful and clear, and her choir is so well refined. A very fine performance!

[@lydwinaofschiedam2685]

What you said!!!!

[@jamesrichardson8048]

wow! this is such an emotional and amazing piece; i had the privilege of performing 'i will lift mine eyes' at the TMEA convention this year and it was beautiful! you never fail to impress!

[@calebpena7338]

I had the privilege of hearing this performed at ACDA 2019 and it was an incredible experience. Thank you so much Mr. Runestead!

[@eldritchrose]

one of the most beautiful, haunting, and meaningful pieces I’ve ever heard. You captured something beyond words. Thank so much for this blessing, Jake Runestad.

[@vampirekeen]

I have never wanted to connect with a piece more. It’s heartbreaking to put yourself in his shoes. I’ve endured situations where you’re concerned with your relationship of God and you question every aspect of it, when he questions why God’s reply is silence, it is so powerful! Take everything and send him scoring towards the ground but give him the ability to hear the terror of it. Anything could’ve been taken from him and the anger of never knowing why things happen to us make us question our faith of God and our will to live. If life didn’t want to go our way in the worst way possible then what’s the point? We can settle for the worst but as long as you keep that specific worst away from us. The worst that is way too specific to be apart of life, as if someone purposely threw it at us to watch us suffer as a joke. It’s an ugly coincidence and ironic in the most disgusting way and you don’t know if you should live on in that condition. This piece is an absolute genius.

[@mychaelajanelle3848]

karmoni lattimore yeah he did dat imma give him the EBT card

[@another_aaron]

Amazing and moving piece!

[@bradparesemusic]

Was at the premier on Gold Track, and my jaw hit the floor. Bravo!

[@keytonrentz5085]

thank you so much mr.runestad this work is such an emotional roller coaster i cant stop listening to. you are truly one of a kind.

[@brandon12346021]

I sing for Dallas Baptist University’s Chorale. When my director Dr. Stephen Holcomb said that you were coming to DBU to hear us sing this, I got goosebumps because I thought to myself I get to meet the person who composed honestly the most emotionally beautiful piece i’ve ever heard. It’s so unique and it touches me because my dad is completely deaf in one ear and half deaf in the other ear, so I got emotional (especially at the end). Thank you for sharing your beautiful gift of music!

[@alexandrapaige8311]

I am a senior from neosho high school and music has been the art form that has inspired everything in my life. I enjoy art and writing as well, but without music I am lead to believe my life would be painfully dull. With out music, I’m not sure I would ever be motivated to move on to this unknown that is life after childhood. I have gone through high school singing your pieces during my darkest moments, and these pieces have given me hope to move forward. Thank you for writing these pieces that have given me strength as I move forward on this journey.

[@nathanpayant2350]

This was absolutely incredible! Tears streaming down my face by the end. Powerful, moving, and heartbreaking. Loved every minute. ❤️

[@Theatregeek96]

I truly felt as though I was witnessing history hearing this at the premier. Thank you so much for this masterpiece Jake.

[@theodorehowe9757]

Wow! What a masterpiece! I'm still in awe from it all! Bravo!

[@katieray485]

Jake. Your work just keeps getting better and better. This piece is INSPIRED. I'm singing it right now and it's emotionally exhausting to sing, but so worth it.

[@MegaWarriorNation]

Just Amazing! Thank you.