October by Eric Whitacre (string orchestra, high quality audio)

October
Composed by Eric Whitacre
Arranged by Paul Lavender
the original score is for wind orchestra
i myself prefer the string arrangement

[@Laney0bug]

Eric Whitacre loves his Violas, which makes me love him even more. People underestimate the power of alto.

[@matthewluck9077]

eric whitacre wrote this for winds not violas. #violasstillsuck

[@brighidclaire]

@@alizabethhayden5602 Forever!

[@bellastrongstone]

Uh excuse me don't forget about us Cellos! We rarely get the Melody!

[@bellastrongstone]

@@matthewluck9077 it was originally made into a wind/band piece. We (orchestra peeps) are even lucky to have this is are clefs. So don't even talk crap about it. And violas are just the main instrument here. We have our Fabulous Cellos, Smooth Basses, and Graceful Violins. We all are a great part of the orchestra as well! Stop trash talking us! #CellosRule #OrchestraForever

[@bellastrongstone]

@@alizabethhayden5602 Cantabile's Orchestra (my school's highest orchestra) we have some fun violas in there!

[@spottedfrog157]

I literally get goosebumps listening to this song. My orchestra played it but much slower and all of us seniors were crying, and it wasn't even the last concert.

[@christiankraemer205]

Yes. It's meant to be played much slower to actually notice the suspension and stress that Whitacre puts in held out phrases

[@madzzg9379]

bro we played this my junior year and so many of my best friends that class were seniors and it was their last concert i was BAWLING

[@madzzg9379]

Same. I was a junior tho

[@hiimbroook2156]

Emotions

[@erikamurray5120]

The violas at the beginning! Its so beautiful! Us violas need more of the melody!

[@jayda5734]

ikr

[@bobrich4243]

Erika Murray so darn true

[@sarahd5411]

Honestly tho we're underappreciated

[@danielleesparza8572]

Agreed

[@toriparrotti4492]

I agree! Just don't sight read the solo the day after you get back after being sick...

[@AtemiRaven]

I really do wish the Viola was more of a solo instrument than it currently is viewed as. Because I love the warm, deep sound it produces compared to the violin. Don't get me wrong, I do love the sound of the violin as well, but it doesn't have near the same warmth and power as a well played viola. This piece made me cry in its beauty by the way. See what you do to me Eric Whitacre? T.T So much beauty...

[@sarahjones1120]

Sorry, this reply is 7 years late. The reason violin is the solo instrument of choice is because it can project well above even a full orchestra. Imagine a viola trying to play a solo over an orchestra.

[@rachelwarbeck6585]

​@@sarahjones1120 Yes, a violin can project the most in an orchestra, but there are also moments in a piece ensemble where sections calm down and violas play their meaningful solo parts. Those moments in a performance are lovely. It would be nice to get more moments like these. That's what Nabael is talking about. Not to BECOME a solo instrument throughout, but to get little solo parts where the viola showcases its soulful sounds. Just like in a choir, where someone with a unique voice gets to sing by themselves.

[@masantonio8790]

@@rachelwarbeck6585 I point you to the Walton Viola Concerto, or Hindemith's Der Schwanendreher. Find recordings by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony. Beautiful pieces with a central, solo viola.

[@AtemiRaven]

First time I heard this I must have been a junior in high school. I still find myself listening 10-11 years later. Such a gorgeous piece of work. Eric truly is a wonderful composer and has a very distinct sound in contemporary music composition.

[@dperin2011]

What a great song. Whitacre really put the feeling of autumn into music with this piece. It's tragically moving and makes me really appreciate the beauty in life. Why waste your life bickering over meaningless things? We all must realize that our time on earth is limited, so enjoy the nicer things as often as possible.

[@samlancaster1277]

Beautifully put my friend. God bless the rest of your days here on Earth.

[@cegan1996]

my school played this at my friend mason haydens funeral . i will miss you bud, you were a good friend to many, and you will be missed by all. R.I.P MASON.. you will live forever in our hearts..

[@maxsolo9544]

I have the honor of getting to play this on my violin! I love this beautiful song so much... it makes me think of my brother Michel, who passed away two years ago from cancer...he was 21.. his funeral was on October 1st. He was an incredible musician and I wish I could have played this with him. Maybe I will someday. Rest in Peace.....

[@dij97]

I played the version for Wind Ensemble on Euphonium my senior year of high school. This is my first time hearing this version and I wish there was an arrangement that blends the two together. The string version blends a lot better but the wind version make the climax points more impactful.

[@lilkeph20]

Yessss! I had your exact thoughts while listening to this, and agree with you 100%. I too, played this piece back in my band days! Certain parts of this piece really come to life in this string orchestra version, like the beginning for instance. But other parts are a bit lacking. A combination of Both Winds and strings would me magestic, the different combination of instruments would add tremendous amouts of color to the music. Nevertheless I had goosebumps all over watching this... :D

[@ukikas]

i woke up at 5:30 before work all summer and watched the sun rise to this peice of music! it was absolutley stunning, every time.

[@ItsSarahrawr2]

I'm graduating from high school this year. I've been in orchestra all of my life. I've been in band and drumline as well. I love playing music. To be able to play this piece as my final song in my final concert means more to me than anything

[@Thunshot]

Hopefully you are still playing music

[@realsupercooltech]

I played this piece for my state’s competition and it gives me the best feeling in the world. It was a fork in the road and a little difficult to play because I don’t play slow pieces, however when I got it down, I fell in love with it. I will never forget this year of orchestra because of this one song. Thank you

[@ZingZee123456789]

this is definitely one of the most beautiful pieces EVER composed.....And I don't care what anyone says... the wind version cant hold a candle to the string version...and I'm a horn player.

[@soph.7966]

I play this on loop so I could cry harder the next time

[@gswhipkey1]

Listened to this video for the first time in 2011. Never dreamed of how profoundly it would stay with me.

[@sheXdevil333]

this music.. when it builds up and explodes into beautifulness, thats a moment that makes me cry. it makes me picture a moment that i wish would come true... me hugging Oliver.

[@matthewcurtin368]

I love this song so much... my orchestra played this last year and listening to it again almost brought me to tears because of the good memories that are associated with it😊

[@enteyager25]

This is the only piece that I remember by name from my one trip to Carnegie Hall, 11 years ago. I don't remember which school played it or any other details, just the experience of it within those walls. For some reason, I was profoundly moved and think of that experience often.

[@lizpaiva6315]

+Ali Stapleton HOLY. SHIT. I played this with Leigh High School at Carnegie Hall, about 11 years ago!

[@amihere383]

we're playing this for contest in my symphonic orchestra, and for some reason nobody seems to love this song as much as me save for 3 people. this song makes me wanna cry sometimes its just so gorgeous

[@shadycactus6146]

that viola solo Will Be Mine

[@ClassicalHD]

What Viola solo?

[@shadycactus6146]

at the beginning and then again at 3:38 (i ended up not getting that solo, but i got a better one in a different song so everything worked out)

[@ClassicalHD]

My conductor literally just handed us this song in orchestra. I thought that was a violin solo at the beginning. Funny enough, I had to play this in band on oboe but the first chair gets solo so I had to listen to that, and now in orchestra I get to listen to the first chair viola (who 100% can't play the solo) play it.

[@shadycactus6146]

ouch

[@obe2241]

I was a freshman when I first heard this piece still listening 3 years later… I love it ❤️

[@LessBackslashThan3]

VIOLA VIOLA VIOLA!

[@WilliamFord972]

YES!

[@Sillygreen3593]

VIOLA POWER!

[@ganglezz]

th..the bass p.. part is cool too, r..right guys? *laughs nervously*

[@WilliamFord972]

Who hates string bass?

[@kitty_lover2151]

William Ford shut up! Sring bass is very beautiful and both me and my brothers play a lot of the instruments in string orchestra including the string bass so what the hell do you know about it!

[@toddvandell85]

I heard the wind ensemble version first. Lovely and heartbreaking. I do like this string orchestra arrangement. It's a meditative, melancholy piece and the tempo here does seem a little faster than the wind ensemble version. This version is still very pretty but I would not have minded it a bit more sedately and reverently-paced.

[@jasonmartinez7667]

Same,if it was slower and phrases were stretched out more it would of been perfect.

[@MichaelEavesMusic]

Agreed. Now I think I want to hear this with string orchestra + full concert band + a large choir. There is a choral version called "Alleluia"

[@SilverIlly]

I played this in my String orchestra when I was in grade 11. I graduated last Wednesday and my best friend gave me a CD with songs we've loved throughout highschool. Listening to this piece was the only thing that made me cry all night. I miss String.

[@SnickyNicky96]

This was the song we played for the ballad of this year's, and my senior year's, contest show for marching band of about 300 kids. Our show was titled "A Seasonal Celebration," and this was the song chosen for autumn by the main band director who custom-makes each contest show every year. It was our state finals competition, and it was cold outside that day when we took the field. It was the last time I'd be sharing the field with all of my friends and my sister. It was already very melancholy to begin on that thought, and once we got into the ballad, we turned to face back-field to find that one of our field commanders was holding back tears as we started playing this beautiful song. I heard some of the others around me trying to hold it back just like I was, but many of us were shakily fighting tears. And then we reached the biggest and most beautiful impact point that I'd ever played in my marching career when we turned to face the home stands and play the most perfect part of this song. We formed a huge tree of us all connecting across the field. At this point we saw our senior field commander break into tears, and our band directors showed tears too. This is where I completely broke down and sobbed while struggling to play my flute. The crowd cheered and I'm sure my mom cried. I remember the only thing I could think was something similar to what I said after my first marching performance ever, "I really do belong here, on the field... I want this to last forever..." Music is not simply life. It adds to life. It gives us something we can't find in any other way, something that makes living so much more enjoyable.

[@indysupercolts18]

SnickyNicky96 omg, I'd love to see that field show!!! Please tell me that you have it on video and please upload!

[@GarrettMcNutt2810]

cool! i like the band part, but my cat will only eat it's food if i cover it in vanilla frosting. What can I do to make it eat its food? It is getting overweight because of all the frosting I have to put on the food. Sometime it will only eat the frosting and spit out the kibble. One time I found it inside on of the large refill jars of frosting that I have so that I don't have to go to the store(This was before it became too large to fit). I really want to stop giving it frosting but I don't want it to starve. It makes noises all day when it doesn't get it's "frosting fix", so I have to give it to it. I don't know what to do? Can anyone help me?

[@ionescarlet9741]

+Garrett McNutt I would go to a vet, not some people in a KZbin comment section

[@amarismilano845]

this comment is inspirational

[@taj9494]

i’m in colorguard in marching band (and orchestra at the same time, ik weird), and ik how this feeling feels. i cried while reading this bc next year this is gonna be me.

[@bellastrongstone]

It was originally made into a wind/band piece. We (orchestra peeps) are even lucky to have this is are clefs. And violas are just the main instrument here. We have our Fabulous Cellos, Smooth Basses, and Graceful Violins. We all are a great part of the orchestra as well! #CellosRule #OrchestraForever

[@TimeTruster21]

Although I favour the concert band version,I'm still quite enamoured by this one part in the strings version 4:04-5:00; it's just so beautiful and emotional. Especially at 4:30,I can visualise the wind carrying the leaves of red,gold and brown through the forest so clearly...A moment of magic. It sounded so much like a movie soundtrack. I love it so much.

[@jumpyl1233]

I’m playing this song! I’m a cello player. So beautiful...

[@CRZYnLAZY]

I played the Wind Ensemble version of this piece last year for my HS band. It was absolutely beautiful playing it. Every time I played it, I was relieved of all stress. I'm also learning the piano version of it now. No matter the version of this masterpiece, it will always be my favorite song.

[@sheldoncooper7495]

I can't wait to play this for Florida all-state. This piece is beautiful

[@autumnclouthier3016]

YOU GO VIOLA! WHOO!

[@mariannenlawrence]

All three versions (choral, wind symphony, strings) of this song are exquisitely beautiful. Whoever arranged this for strings did it justice!

[@GentleOblivion]

For some reason, this reminds me of the Notebook. So it brought me to tears even more. Absolute transcendence.

[@Jbm0230]

I'm playing the cello solo for my region orchestra!! I think they're the most beautiful solos ever.

[@kayleeshook1593]

Really hope I can pull off how beautiful the viola solo sounds...

[@cyborgjonny]

You're using that term "beautiful" loosely

[@realBlueMoonMusic]

Nahtanoj Enotsylb It's better than u can play it so... She's not using beautiful loosely at all.

[@dawnofdeath50]

My favorite song to play back in high school. So good!

[@lukeschroeder3597]

I played this in Middle-Level Honors Orchestra and it still stuns and amazes me every time I listen to it. Anyone ever feel like you're addicted to an instrument? Because that's how I feel with this song.

[@rayie1]

my band teacher showed this to us and when i heard it i realy liked the way the strings,violins,flutes,and clarinets were played.

[@darionbuck8864]

We played this for like 6 months in high school chamber. The violas could never pull off the solo. I always hated this song, but really enjoy it now after hearing it played properly.

[@andrewbanks7472]

It's refreshing to hear it at this tempo, It's more pastoral in my opinion.

[@taj9494]

i remember sight reading this is middle school, not knowing shit bc she just threw us into it. now playing it in high school, i know sm more and i’m so happy to be playing this.

[@APurpleSnuffleupagus]

Every time I listen to such a piece, I hear everything, every note, every phrase, but I still can't get past the fact if I listen to the same recording over and over.....that It always sounds different and means so much more the second or third or tenth time.

[@Smurfy1211]

I played this in my high school band. It always irritated me at how much the people in my band didn't appreciate music like this. Every version is beautiful.

[@Dageckooo]

The senior string orchestra at my school just got this song and I am obsessed with it! Truly beautiful :)

[@Sillygreen3593]

Playing this in my school orchestra right now.... This /has/ to be one of my favorites by far.

[@WilliamFord972]

Where did you get it?

[@Sillygreen3593]

The sheet music? Im not sure, but i can probably ask my teacher....

[@AW-uo9lg]

*coughs* look up Ola Gjeilo

[@juliaaxoxo98]

Our advanced strings group is playing this for kmea (kentucky music education association) assessment! I love it!

[@KookiCookieCutie]

last year I was in europe and near the end I got really homesick. a seatmate of mine had the band version of this and I started bawling because my marching band did October. when ever I hear this I tear up. thanks for posting

[@CitySailingBlue12]

I'm a violist and our orchestra's playing this soon. I hope the audience will hear us. :D

[@bigwillybiker]

I wish i never gave up the Cello.

[@emmadouglas3383]

You should pick it back up again if you can! It’s never too late❤️

[@noahwhite-telles5570]

It's never too late to get back into it!!!+

[@cloudwatchergirl]

I get chills every time

[@mysoullivesformusic1]

the entire time listening i had chills

[@BladeheartAngel]

God, usually I don't listen to much orchestral music but this one is so touching...!! I almost cried when I first listened to it (and I still feel thrilled each time.....)

[@dperin2011]

The beauty of this piece stirs up memories and emotions that one does not experience daily. Whitacre has captured my imagination, he is an incredible composer whose pieces enchant and intrigue. I feel sorry for the 8 souls who disliked this song, I hope that in time you can recognize beautiful music and appreciate it's worth.

[@milkncookies7418]

Such a beautiful song. It makes me cry

[@jademoreno7838]

My highschools orchestra did this song and they dedicated to someone who passed at our school and I really enjoyed the piece, all there pieces actully

[@marythegreatgatsby]

Listening to this song I feel like sometimes im in Narnia, and sometimes like my lover will blow through the door and sweep me off my feet! haha! I love it!!!!

[@TorturedXeno]

I think I'm the only one who doesn't get moved to tears by this piece. It's still heavenly, though. It's the essence of real music.

[@ZingZee123456789]

The part right after ithe solo introduction always gives me gosebumps.

[@rhinolovingpianist77]

We sight-read this in my orchestra class and even though it wasn't perfect, it was still gorgeous! This song is magical!

[@emmanordmeyer4668]

When my orchestra played this last year we were in a gym with shitty acoustics. The audience was in tears by the end. They'll hear you, alright.

[@mitsukishorty]

I got to play this last year in my band...I loved it! So amazing! His music is breathakingly beautiful.

[@nodnektloh6222]

All these people say that the piece is too fast but when my high school orchestra sightread this we played it about this fast if not faster at some parts

[@enon661]

nodneK tloH This song sounds amazing fast. First time that I heard it I instantly got obsessed and now we are playing it in my orchestra (8th grade). We are also playing Impact.

[@emmanordmeyer4668]

Why does this NOT have a million views?

[@JoshuaTheDexterous]

Probably the most beautiful song that I've played bass in. Love it.

[@interlude44]

Hearing this for the first time and its soooooooo amazing😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@DrSaximapepper]

This is positively beautiful, and it brought me to tears.

[@HouseAddict8240]

I love the cello solo

[@mythmakroxymore1670]

I played this song with my older sister in high school, but for band. I queue this up and hear the violin, and as I’m typing I’m still listening. Good God, you’re making me cry 🥲

[@elijahhorton202]

I’m a proud violist, but I will admit, the Cello solo at 2:23 definitely outshines the Viola solo.

[@hopecarmack6031]

We played this piece last year for our fall concert and I was the solo cellist. It was an amazing piece to play; I'd play it again a thousand times

[@edwinrivera9995]

Oh ha can't believe I didn't see this earlier. I was the bassist with the really dark bass, fourth chair.

[@Pishonga]

5:40 - end is so DARN beautiful D': :'D

[@FrozenDawn01]

Wow is all I can say. I was touched by this piece. I play a brass intrument and the sound of this piece preformed by strings was amazing and just beautiful.

[@ClassicalHD]

Were the conductors hands on fire? Jesus, it should be illegal to play October this fast.

[@khangVu457]

maybe just another interpretation. i thought the same but it reminded me of the beauty of music and how it can be molded. to me, the speed of the solo made it feel more aggressive. like standing for what you believe in. at first i didnt like the interpretation but after digging deeper, i like the interpretation.

[@toriparrotti4492]

How slow is it usually?

[@Piano_Reimagined]

It’s relatively same tempo

[@swasome5821]

Hey ClassicHD. :)

[@jumpyl1233]

We played it slower than this but when I would practice alone I would do it this fast because it sounds better

[@emtheeviltwin]

This was the first song I ever fell in love with. We're playing it now at my school, and this is the first I'd heard of the orchestral arrangement, and I must say it is absolutely beautiful. I think the beginning sections were taken too quickly here, but there are parts of this song that are really captured best on strings. In any case, with either arrangement, the emotion Eric Whitacre is trying to convey shines through brilliantly.

[@csdsa]

So beautiful! My string orchestra also played this years and years ago - one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve gotten to play. I agree the string version is just so much more full and rich than the wind tbh

[@musicrocksmysoul96]

My birth month has automatically been made even more amazing :,)

[@Jiffybob47]

this is beautiful. we played this in my high school wind ensemble. it was amazing. if you open the windows during autumn, close your eyes, and listen to this song, it's like you're being enveloped by all the elements. it's hypnotic.

[@kewlboy9584]

Dang I didn't expect to play this fast during the performance

[@dolldavis]

I cannot play nor read music, but I know good music when I hear it. This is brilliant! I really enjoy this. Thank you for posting this to share. It kind of reminds me of The Annie Moses Band. Look them up and compare.

[@Pirobi]

Brings me back to when I played this in my highschool days (viola solo!)

[@Zester141]

I imagine listening to this song when I meet Jesus..

[@ChaosAndMayhemTV]

Much like the choral and wind versions, 4:02 to the end sends straight chills up my spine.

[@Ladeand]

I've played the original concert band version of this a few years ago... but this, is AWESOME.

[@davpetm1]

we are playing this as part of our marching band show. I get the solo at 2:20. Great piece.

[@Bryan2582]

I love this arrangement! I think the strings did a beautiful job, I can really hear their passion within the music.

[@swimgurl96]

this song is chilling.

[@babygirlellie9292]

we’re learning this in my school orchestra and every time we play it ,, it makes me tear up a bit . it’s so gorgeous .

[@phillipmarsh1197]

If the comments section is anything to judge by then I'm in the minority, but I actually prefer it at this tempo.

[@bloxdlust]

My orchestra didn't quite play it as fast but we were in the ballpark, the judges at UIL were not impressed by our tempo... the ONLY thing that didn't let us get a 1

[@cappaberry7588]

i think this is about the speed my orchestra is playing it at rn :D

[@zdream720]

Graduated from high school like 3 years ago, played this my at my jr year regional band... Unparalleled experience. Soak it up.

[@Cellohooligan]

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

[@davidvallejo1801]

TEAM CELLO

[@me3mrsjones]

Somethings only Eric Whitacre can create!!!!! Thank you for it!

[@johnyt234]

I am a total band geek and having played the wind ensemble version several times, i have to say that the orchestra version does have a warmth to it that totally doesn't translate to the wind ensemble version. I see a lot of people that are saying they think parts are missing and while it's true, you don't get the individual lines and unique sounds that you get in a wind ensemble, there is something so whole and warm about the string version. Don't miss the forest for the trees!

[@glittertheflute]

I'm playing this in concert band (I play flute) and while it is beautiful, I think the string part has much more emotion.

[@kaseyWtrumpet]

My God...the silence at 4:02-4:04, it's so beautiful.

[@yuurin5922]

My school orchestra played this a little slower than this. However, our orchestra was very tiny (around 20 people but the sections were pretty balanced I guess) I would love to play this with like with 10x the amount of people (lol). If that could happen and make it sound great then I would literally be in nonstop tears...

[@justindennison1022]

im sorry to hear about that... as a person who has played this piece both in a chamber orchestra AND in a wind ensemble... there is no comparison its 2 different pieces and beautiful in its own way and im journeying as well and ive realized the potential this piece has as both a string or wind piece its an impossible comparison...

[@edwinrivera9995]

Absolutely amazing...!

[@Godprotectedbuterfly]

So this is how it sounds....I was lost in darkness and no one found me but it's fine because i dont complain about anyone anymore. If some light finds me then I got no time wasting here around and even if i remain in the dark then I will turn into star which illuminate all over.

[@amarismilano845]

Osman Riaz deep