Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir - 'Lux Aurumque'

Love this? Watch Virtual Choir 2.0 with 2052 people singing "Sleep" - • Eric Whitacre - Eric W...
COMPOSED AND CONDUCTED BY:
Eric Whitacre
PRODUCED BY:
Scott Haines
TEXT BY: Charles Anthony Silvestri
Representing 12 Countries:
Austria
Argentina
Canada
England
Germany
Ireland
New Zealand
The Philippines
Singapore
Spain
Sweden
United States of America

[@PeterLGଈ]

Here we are again, in 2024. Just me, Eric, and a couple of singers, hanging out on the internet. Damn this is a beautiful piece of music. May it never disappear from the 'net.

[@timmots]

This sounds like the universe breathing

[@Xomby]

It has been 6 years since you posted this. but I was thinking the exact same thing.

[@Louise-we9kf]

Yes. Exactly.

[@HamodAin]

The universe got corona it cant breathe

[@mayflooer5454]

thanks, you made me laugh hard

[@AmberStone]

This is so accurate 🥰

[@Btn1136]

10 years ago- these guys were really ahead of it.

[@clif_plays]

I literally keep coming back to this video like seven years later just for that soprano at 0:59. What a voice.

[@thesilverrook3502]

The first one is still my favorite.

[@leilagreen7]

Angel voice!🥰

[@anahata77]

I keep coming back for 3:37. : )

[@annemargaretbridges792]

we are singing this for chorus at my school and the girl doing the solo is soooooo good.

[@AdriaanJABreukel]

Life is good, watching and listening to that performance.

[@phillipstringham8626]

The girl with the curly hair singing that small solo is so amazing!!!

[@sjrainier81]

Ikr

[@phillipstringham8626]

Just... Beautiful :o

[@sjrainier81]

So true

[@phillipstringham8626]

Nice *o* sarah rainier

[@PerformanceY]

Wow you are sexist and racist! How dare you call it a girl. Maybe she wants to be a boy !

[@amsaric]

All the respect in the world for the audio engineer. I wonder how he mentally survived the million hours of work he did on this. Major props.

[@glitterdoom]

I love how this is showing the possible power of the internet. So often we talk about the internet separating and isolating us. But things like this can change that. Beautiful.

[@roxydzey]

well imagine if everyone were in the same room and did that together in real life at the same moment. As ex-choir singer i would say its way better for singer to sing with a lot of people together and hear and FEEL the music harmony becoming alive than to sing it to your camera and just upload it and then watch the whole version. But it was cool to see this project, never thought about it! Nice idea anyways ;)

[@Kycilak]

With growing number of singer it's more difficult to coordinate and there are even physical limits to this. But limitations of computers permit much bigger scope of work.

[@strawberry1025]

I agree.

[@3ijl880]

@@roxydzey Yup, the best of both worlds, I guess. Its amazing being able to be in person for the experience but when don't have the chance, this is a cool alternative. :)

[@LifeofSeda]

Lovely how this comment can be heavily considered now during this time of quarantine.

[@digitaldeathsquid3448]

For anyone interested, the original poem by Edward Esch, originally written in English, goes as follows: "Light, warm and heavy as pure gold, and the angels sing to the newborn baby" The Latin translation was done by Charles Anthony Silvestri

[@audreyc2718]

Gn

[@audreyc2718]

Io,!ug ,0 shoulder bag

[@kayafae]

Eric Whitacre is a genius.

[@natparnell]

I'll await your composition then, fanboyspemdas.

[@daliasakenyte9890]

Nat Parnell

[@chrissybuddy9083]

Very true! Our school choirs have sang a few of his pieces, including Lux, Sleep, The Seal Lullaby.

[@gadgetsage]

Bill Gothard did it first.

[@Boimeirelles]

I cant believe i just found this in 2019, im so mad but glad at the same time

[@n1x.aeritttt]

I discovered this video on Wayback Machine, almost 10 years after this was uploaded

[@twohawk1203]

2020 here. Wow.

[@musicmelany]

@@twohawk1203 same😭

[@EduardRitok]

better later than never :))

[@raheldeborah]

This is why the internet is amazing. You don't even need to be in one room anymore to be able to make amazing music together.

[@gnomeflight]

You don't even need to be in the same continent!

[@TheLadyBass]

ik. It's pretty astounding.

[@ericolson2413]

+Charlie Smythe You don't even need to be on the same planet.

[@emmyboo1999]

You don't even have to be in the same Galaxy!

[@debuggerau]

+Rahel Erki (Velocirapture) Wow, I can hear it from my universe

[@belllaswab]

This is the reason I love music so much, choirs most of all. There is a massive connection between people when they sing together because every single person is producing an unmatchable sound. It is a connection like no other in the world to me and connection like this over the Internet displays that even though there are hundreds and hundreds of cultures, religions, races etc. they all form together as one through their love for music. It is the most beautiful thing in the world.

[@s.ren.a2183]

When I was in Honors Choir, I never thought much of Choir or how we each sounded, as long as it came out good, it was fine with me. Until I heard a sound, that tugged me in a way music tugs others, and this explains my feels of Choir exactly~

[@austinhernandez2716]

Isabella Swarbrick choir was always so boring to me but Whitacre has now changed my opinion.

[@vintagejm]

My choir teacher showed us this song because we're singing it at our next concert. The first time I listened to this, I got chills and felt the urge to cry for some reason... This song gives me the the reminder that I'm still a human being... Thank you, Eric, you wonderful man. ♡♡

[@dorothychristensen1765]

hollowminds

[@who.is.sunnyy]

That’s what my choir teacher did too, and I also felt like crying

[@everlasting9292]

It's the way the chords and harmonies affect your brain and your emotions. Music literally has that power. You have no idea why, but something just brings forward an emotion and you can't hold it back.

[@amateur_artist4795]

I also felt the same the first time I saw this

[@abandonedmuse]

hollowminds doesn’t it sound like what you imagine a choir of angels would sing? I got huge chills too and I did cry. It’s breathtakingly beautiful

[@jewel7784]

i played this at one of my high school band concerts and people actually cried. it's so beautiful.

[@miyabeech8480]

After all of these years, I'm so glad to be apart of this choir for multiple songs. My Grandparents even enjoyed it and kept asking for more videos to show them. They cannot pick a favorite, as they got goosebumps during every song

[@bobleglob162]

God bless you. I cry just about every time Iisten to this.

[@frogman1]

it's such a big choir but you can hear so clearly everyone's whispery s's and clicks... something about that atmosphere

[@jinxis5477]

I can't believe this is now 11 years old. I remember listening to this over and over. The soloist is literally an angel.

[@SophieCViolin]

anyone here after the coronavirus canceled rehearsals so this is the next best alternative

[@MyRainn]

Yep

[@ίεσηίεσς]

Yeah

[@TahirasWorld]

Me😆

[@miyacosplays7102]

Yep

[@RizalBudiLeksono]

Same

[@SugarbabyLA]

Once again, I'm back here listening to all the Virtual Choirs. I wonder what the next VC will be? Thumbs up so Eric can see this? I've had people asking me... and I can't answer ;) What number will it be? VC5? 6? Time flies by so fast!

[@overtonecz]

Yeah, time flies too fast! :O

[@carnivorouswatermelon]

Congrats on soprano!😊👌👼

[@lizENJO]

Virtual Choir 5 soon to be announced!! Subscribe to Eric's page and you'll be nortified

[@A.Gallo360]

Beautiful

[@grottomatic]

I'm in 4 and 5.

[@hyemo_2002]

고1 때 이 주제로 영어지문 배울때 쌤이 보여줬던건데 너무 좋아서 지금 성인되고도 듣고 있어요 제일 행복햇을때 들었어서 그런가 다시 들으면 그때처럼 마음이 편안해져요

[@yogawarriorgirl]

I AM CRYING. I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life, over a hundred strangers coming together to sing one of the most peacefully beautiful songs I know. THIS is INCREDIBLE. Our planet physically needs more of this to happen.

[@EdwardDavian1]

Genuinely felt like I was in Heaven listening to a choir of angels.

[@alisonlacroix8574]

I actually really enjoyed the sounds of the consonants, even though they were not always in sync. It tickled my ears, like the sound of rain or the softest pluck of strings. But I'm more of an instrumentalist and I enjoy that. I'm sure it was already enough of a challenge to put this wonderful virtual choir together. And the solo soprano, girl you sound ethereal and yet powerful and strong! What a beautiful voice!

[@arielleanderson9776]

Alison La Croix it's called a sibillant sound

[@ElCapitanJones]

Saw this in Ted Talks and I'm just even more impressed now that I actually watched the video.

[@etiemable]

Mijail Jones what was the name of the Ted talk?

[@magmacube3890]

eric whitacre virtual choir, or maybe something about a virtual choir 2000 voices strong

[@alyssonrowan6835]

Exactly where I came across it, too.

[@EmmaLane97]

Every time I listen to it, it's a different emotion, takes me to a different place, makes me think of what things really are, etc. No one person has the same feeling of this piece. Thank you to Eric for composing this piece

[@parkerfields6014]

"thank you" is what I would love to say to Eric.

[@benlb11]

This is one of the most painfully beautiful pieces of music ever created. It taps into something so transcendent that I can't even describe how it makes me feel every time I hear it. It's one of the few things that make me think we as humans might be something worth saving.

[@doppler2246]

1:16 that ninth chord....

[@dorothychristensen1765]

RedGreyMusic

[@everlasting9292]

Isn't it haunting and beautiful? Gives me chills every time.

[@davidquakkelaar341]

Actually a Badd2add4/F# ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@yayayayayaya8140]

DISSONANCE BABY

[@juniorcosta5096]

@@everlasting9292 me too

[@jron4887]

It’s been over a decade and this song has stuck with me. From being a teenager to listening to this song with my son at bed time

[@johncurtis920]

This is what it is all about. This is what humanity should aspire to be. An interweave of all peoples, of all ages and sexes. Out of such weave comes magnificent transcendence. It is probably the whole point of life. The creation of harmony. Nicely done Eric Whitacre. Nicely done indeed to all who participated. John American Net'Zen

[@stupor_mundi]

John Curtis what an amazing comment ⭐ it's exactly what I was thinking as I saw this. The fact he showed that diversity in the video is a brilliant way to convey that idea.

[@abandonedmuse]

So well said. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the whole world could sing. Imagine the power of that.

[@PoeTheGhost]

Over three years since I first heard this song, and I still think that this is what Heaven would sound like.

[@anasalwash]

That's what I call "higher music" I can't explain the higher level that I'm in when I listen to it. Something like I'm travelling to a wonderful galaxy where there is nothing but peace and love.

[@katsch]

I remember my dad showing this to me. He passed away nearly 5 years ago but every time I listen to this I think of him showing this beautiful arrangement and I just cry in awe, beauty, and sadness. I think of the beautiful voice he once had, and the song he sings to me now through this video. I am forever grateful for this song, and this arrangement will have a special place in my heart.

[@akadia71]

There is so much ugliness and hatred in the world. It makes me cry when I see people come together and show how beautiful, diverse, creative, and wonderful the human race is.

[@samuelyoung3477]

Thumbs up to all the bases who hit the bottom C sharp at the end!

[@zs345]

This is so beautiful. It's not only the haunting loveliness of the song itself but the fact that you can see so many different people showing the same passion. I get chills from both the music and seeing the young, old, male and female faces. This is truly a masterpiece!

[@creggfterasa5656]

This is amazing! Wonderful piece of music, such talent and voices from around the world. Bravo!

[@ferokitten7175]

I have listened to this piece dozens of times over the last few days. I cannot get enough. Then today, I put in headphones. I am so beyond moved. When I heard it the first time, I broke into tears. It felt like the whole universe was singing to me and that if I just reached out my hand, I could touch it. No, I wasn't on drugs... it just moved me that much. It still does. This project is a gift and I will forever be thankful to every single person who worked together to bring my harried soul such peace. Each one of you are amazing.

[@will3579]

Almost 12 years later and here I am coming back to this amazing piece!

[@101kittycatcool]

this gives me chills everytime i listen to it, every time...

[@ChoralSea]

Now I know why I sing. I hear these beautiful ones and my heart soars, my broken body is lifted, and I am at peace. Thank you all for rested sleep tonight.

[@marcbecker4248]

The magic of music. Must have watched this more than 200 times since I've known it... Still moves me to tears, 4 years later.

[@summerluce8945]

this just gives me chills when that girl sings lux I'm just like in love with her voice OMG

[@cynthiahawkins2389]

Whitacre's music is lovely and uplifting. The technology, daunting but in the end..well worth the effort. But the real point of it all is simply as Eric says in his TED talk - individual souls, each on his/her own private island, sending messages in a bottle - to each other. And that makes the whole undertaking utterly, completely GLORIOUS!!

[@88Mickyfan]

The first word that came to my mind after watching this, was STUNNING!!!! Melody, beautiful solo! Singing is a gift from God.

[@RonM-zv4mo]

Simply one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard.

[@MelodicEgghead]

I would like to denote that anyone from anywhere could sound beautiful, no matter the race or nationality. This video proves to me that the world can truly come together though voice; such beautiful people! Thank you for this project!!!

[@seethetruth03]

This is one of the most angelic things I've ever seen. Sounds like angels from the heavens

[@MrVestek]

I love how powerful this piece is. 11 years later and I still come back to it every year or so when I'm reminded of it. Not ashamed to admit that it always moves me to tears... such a beautiful song.

[@UlrikaAnderberg]

Goosebumps and tears because this is just so heavenly beautiful! And the choir is amazing. Wow!

[@cielmarth1779]

This is the most beautiful thing I ever heard

[@abandonedmuse]

Ciel Marth it is because we have never heard that many voices singing in harmony until right this second. It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.

[@hanabiburuu]

if a virtual choir can have so much unity despite probably never having met each other, then we as people should learn to step up our own act too this is amazing

[@janemoulder7894]

Just stunningly beautiful, gives you goose pimples just listening to it ethereal piece of music, so beautifully sung ....I just love it.

[@wendyhewitt5561]

What I find immensely moving, in this age where I live of 50+ year old choral members, is that most of these lovely people are YOUNG! How wonderful that the choral tradition will continue and blossom. What a privilege to be part of such an enterprise.

[@kermitefrog64]

His music was first introduced to me on a TED Talks years ago. What an incredible blending of the human voice. It is like an awaking deep within the soul.

[@andreagonzalez8855]

Heard this in 7th grade. I'm a senior in high school now. Still get chills.

[@aswarmofbeees]

The soloist at the beginning always moves me to tears. The tone she produces is so pure.

[@jennyb9810]

Breathtakingly beautiful. It moved me to tears. I feel like this is what heaven sounds like. I come back and listen to this anytime I need to calm down and just take a breath. Wonderful job to all involved. Thank you for this.

[@livinlikelarry395]

Here watching this in the middle of September 2020. Virtual choirs pre-corona.

[@kharris4866]

in case y'all wanted to know, Lux Aurumque literally means "Light and Gold" in Latin. Fun fact of the day

[@Officialalmate]

Actually Lux Aurumque means "Golden Light". Aurum means gold in Latin, making Arumque turn to the word golden and Lux meaning light. With the punctuation of Latin would make this be Golden Light.

[@darkclown145]

Officialalmate no, he's right. it literally translates to Light and Gold.

[@Officialalmate]

Did you use google translate or something? Google isn't always reliable. I learned the meaning of this song from my choir teacher who knows Latin. Aurum means gold and Aurumque is golden. Lux means light. Latin is like French and Spanish with the wording of how you say things, therefore making Lux Aurumque meaning "Light, Golden" also meaning "Golden Light".

[@darkclown145]

No, it says on the sheet music the literal translation is "Light and Gold". I also know this because Eric Whitacre himself came as a paid clinician to my school when we played this piece and explained the meaning of his song. You might want to watch his TED talk where he explains it, because he also says what it translates to in english. But i'm sure that because your choir teacher said it, you're right.

[@Brisingr1234567890]

Officialalmate I have latin at school, 'que' attached to a word can also mean 'and' but then you have to place it in front of the word where it's attached to. So both translations are good, but I think Eric Whitacre meant 'Light and Gold' because an other video of him has it in the title.

[@elizabethcameron4884]

i could go to sleep listening to the song. so peaceful.😎😃

[@CrypticHowl]

I've fallen asleep listening to this, you should try it :)

[@ocitousaf6627]

Elizabeth Cameron I sang this in my choir it was amazing

[@MonoLith2049]

I found this piece after listening to BBC radio 3's Choral Evensong which I use to fall asleep to! Sublime

[@TheGopaxExperience]

13 Years later and I still get goosebumps and tears.

[@debjesic]

Light and Gold, The color of God!

[@robin17171]

Actually, it's physics.

[@Spartan3457]

Ender www.charlesanthonysilvestri.com/lux-aurumque.html Take what you will of it, he seems to make it about Jesus' birth.

[@debjesic]

Spartan3457 All I know is it's beautiful

[@robin17171]

Spartan3457 That's fine, but the physical representation of the color is physics.

[@debjesic]

Ender

[@MsSlayerful]

I imagine this is what angels in heaven sounds like... brings tears to my eyes every time.

[@Happilyquirky97]

I'm in tears..this is so amazingly beautiful..

[@DCLayclerk]

I absolutely adore this piece, but I have a hard time singing it, because to me, it encapsulates the wonder and mystery of God becoming man, and being born into our world. It moves me enormously. It has such incredible power, and it fills my soul with joy. A piece like this one reminds me why I love singing.

[@louygirl7]

My choir teacher is in love with this guy. I shit you not she is. She admitted it and I don't blame her. He writes incredible music.

[@yvonneiskrev8202]

Who else got goosebumps because it sound amazing?

[@guibox3]

Whitacre's most melodic and beautiful piece IMO.

[@oscarosicki]

Most melodic??? that's one word I would not use to describe this...

[@diggyb]

Oscar Osicki That's two words, actually. ;)

[@guibox3]

Oscar Osicki Compared to Whitacre's other pieces..yes it is. Other than The Seal Lullaby'. He has the constant recurring I-IV motif. Just enough dissonance (kalida for example), to make it beautiful without jarring the aural senses.

[@bretwhitmore8855]

I have been a musician my whole life; a pianist, an oboist, a bassist, an organist. I have been both soloist and a member of ensembles, bands, and even a college symphony. I am firmly convinced, however, that there is no more expressive, intuitive, emotionally-connective or beautiful instrument than a well-practiced human voice. I have derived the most magic, the most pure, chills-inducing joy from the simple act of singing with friends. Music is the stuff that defies explanation, originating from some part of our brains, the most complex machine in the known universe. How can that not be a miracle? Of all the species of living creatures on this entire planet, we humans alone have been granted the gift of performing music simply for the pure joy of it. I am firmly convinced that music... and especially that produced by a chorus of harmonized human voices... IS our SUPER-POWER.

[@Reibeeeeee]

I came here from my psychology class.. And thank God I did! this is absolutely beautiful!!

[@emilyorella999]

0:59 SHE gave me the chills...

[@danielperroni3884]

Simple amazing! Angelical-surreal job! congratulations.

[@hannahdornfeld224]

Going through and listening to all of these again hits different in quarantine

[@BernadetteTeachesMusic]

CHILLS

[@hrhroyalprincejondeewright9524]

I am siting at my computer crying. You have touched my soul thank your

[@girlchild925]

I cryed like little baby! how did i find this? Mr. Keegan Pauloso my choir teacher at Tn Brighton middle,( btw im12) showed my just a tiny little snippet, so as soon as i go home i HAD to listen to it all. there is just something about huge choirs that feels amazing! thank you for composing it and posting it. thank you for your time. ~javia rusch

[@melodysmith7191]

omg same my choir teacher did too

[@girlchild925]

Melody Smith kewl!

[@rayaaa8895]

Now you’re 16☺️

[@whohasthecake]

Maraya Pabon true

[@aliyahholloway422]

Sung this in choir 11 years ago. Still come back to this. Absolutely beautiful!!

[@sarahem4736]

We watched this at school in choir, and all I can say that this is amazing and a fantastic idea! So good! Love!

[@kenna8551]

We watched this in music class in fifth grade in my elementary school, and here I am, five years later, watching it again

[@isabellalittle7943]

Same here

[@chromatic91]

He looks a lot like Jamie Lannister...

[@jcee4648]

+envelope91 He's the best choir master in the seven kingdoms

[@ang7751]

+Joaquin Cepeda Ha, ha that's true!

[@WDCraz]

+envelope91 But with 2 hands.

[@tiagosaxophonist6797]

Hahahaha

[@patriciasullivancannin1893]

YES

[@anessarodriguez1320]

This reminds me of the Halo game. It would be perfect in a movie.

[@bennyteferra7834]

Same. Halo is what got me into orchestral, choral, and classical music. Best video game ever and best video game soundtrack ever!!!!

[@emjohnson896]

It was used in the feature documentary 'The Last Man on the Moon', telling of Capt. Eugene Cernan's time in the Apollo moon missions.

[@kwabzycomposer]

That's awesome! It makes perfect sense they would use that.

[@mimisetonmusic1151]

Glorious! I was listening to music in the background...then this came on...and totally grabbed my attention. HEAVENLY.

[@xXTirzahXx]

This was so beautiful, I wept.

[@jes_375]

천재교육 고1들 반갑다

[@samirafterone]

Music is the voice of God...

[@williambarnes5023]

Music is the voice of man. God is the voice of music.

[@romainbornes22]

Don't give God undue credit. He would have got involved, but he didn't have Internet access.

[@pauldonvito8270]

you just had to bring fairytales into it 😠.

[@LoverOfGoOD]

@@pauldonvito8270 Stop spreading stupid myths.

[@colinjarmy9621]

Utterly beautiful. Love Eric Whitacre.

[@briancrane7634]

We will all sing like this in heaven...

[@TeresaAfonsoTecas]

Amazing!

[@anmathiende]

the voice of mankind

[@TrjnMgnms10]

A large fine choir singing beautiful choral music reaches down into the depths of one's soul unlike any other experience.

[@taylorw]

I am amazed at the chord or progression (i.e., what happens with the voices) from 3:38 to 3:53. Do you even refer to this as a "chord" in choral music? Whatever, to me that short passage feels like a door to another dimension.

[@BrandonSchwabComposer]

I think its a Tonic chord followed by a IV chord with a 6th in 1st inversion

[@paulordeb]

Maybe someone here will appreciate my comment. Here goes. As a Christian, can you just imagine singing in Heaven someday with multitudes of people such harmonies...even harmonies not thought of?!

[@Syrinx222]

+Paul Lavender I was thinking exactly the same thing! If 185 people sound like this.....imagine what a choir a billion strong would be like....

[@cobracrush1]

it would be to die for.

[@jeromealibin5297]

If this is what Heaven sounds like, I would be glad to let the Lord take me into His arms once I am gone from this material world..

[@user-kk3yz6he8x]

Totally, I can't wait and so looking forward to it

[@doubtingthomas736]

I knew some religious dick would get hold of this.... Bollocks

[@alexbuchan5634]

This piece destroys me every time I listen to it. Embarrassing if you are at work - so beautiful it should come with a warning.

[@3kiwi2durian]

If one takes a deep breath, listens and watches it shows in such gentle ways how peace on Earth is really possible...if only we would take a deep breath, listen and watch.

[@comosellama5287]

So... their is still a good use for the internet? Good to know! 😃

[@21djk]

those cut-offs were better then some choirs i've heard that were all together in one room!

[@FrancOhGee]

I believe that the composer/conductor had someone fix the audio with for the videos and helped format all of them to seem as if they were all singing in tandem

[@21djk]

+Franco G True, but I'm still impressed haha

[@sophiacolonroosevelt]

This is so cool.

[@carmennatal723]

I needed a sign... Then I heard this... God is everywhere.. Thank you Father God. Our world is in trouble.. But you are in every part of this Amazing song..

[@greypriest9877]

I want to cry omg

[@guerillin]

This is so awesome it’s almost scary to listen to.

[@mrisviz5887]

Sounds like angel's choir

[@davehertle]

I am using this piece to demonstrate how individuals in prayer can create a concert to goes up into heaven and gives Joy to Father God. We follow the direction and give our voice and together we create a heavenly sound.