Eric Whitacre conducts "Sleep"

Choral superstar Eric Whitacre conducted the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers, The St. Olaf Choir, and the 160-voice Minnesota High School Honors Choir in a performance of "Sleep"--part of the sold-out VocalEssence "Eric Whitacre Extravaganza" on March 22, 2009 at Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis.

[@BarbershopHero]

This whole song is one giant chordgasm.

[@iridiansanchez1560]

This is the best fucking decrescendo I've ever heard

[@gertv2]

You mean diminuendo?

[@Mlantow20]

same shit - decrescendo is specifically for music, where diminuendo can be used for everything undergoing a gradually reduction in force or loudness

[@midnightskyofficial]

Hendrick Lamar same thing

[@boobsmakemehappy1]

The basses sound so mature, oh my god.

[@WilliamFord972]

Vinay Thomas This made my evening.

[@NuggetEternal]

Vinay Thomas lmao!

[@jck1794]

boobsmakemehappy1 they're not all high schoolers. there are some more mature voices mixed in with them.

[@limeffdd]

you know its youtube when you find a nostalgic video and the top comment is from someone named boobsmakemehappy1 LOL

[@theBlackBearrrr]

Eric Whitacre is a musical genius. I swear this is one of the most beautiful songs ever

[@zacharypage6164]

Most certainly

[@annaariza1575]

He definitely is! Breathtaking song!

[@Joxii4]

Of all the songs I ever sang in choir, this one is by far my favorite. It's one of the most beautiful arrangements I've ever heard, and when you're performing it with the rest of the choir, I swear, something magical happens. It gives me goosebumps every time. You just feel a perfect unity of all the voices around you, and as it concludes, there's a moment where the world is just so still and quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Just breathtakingly beautiful.

[@fifteen6535]

I have a good friend who performed Water Night in an honors choir, and she couldn't make it through the song without crying. Every time.

[@MultiJMinecraft]

YusukeIsMine imagine singing it with him conducting you... that was me last week it was an insane experience

[@tostare]

I'm (Bass 1) learning it with my choir at the moment for our xmas concert. It is pretty magical.

[@rachelp3090]

YusukeIsMine I have performed this song too and I completely agree

[@margaretkuwata6794]

I know the feeling-I live for that feeling.

[@sravantipasumamula6803]

The first time I heard this song, I actually cried. I'm a soprano and I absolutely love the soprano parts. 'As I surrender unto sleep' just so beautiful..

[@swalea6507]

Once AGAIN no CARES about the ALTOS

[@janeesejefferson4873]

My choir actually had the chance to work with Eric in a massive highschool choir festival at WVU for a day. We sang this and seal lullaby, literally the best choir experience I ever had. He is such an amazing director and person, he gave so many useful tips and pointers. Singing this song on stage with 610 other choir students as dedicated to music as I am and Eric Whitacre directing was literally magical. I actually shed a few tears while singing because it was truly beautiful. An experience I will never forget

[@laurenj432]

Wow that sounds beautiful. I’m so happy for you that you were able to experience that💕

[@teatrolites3446]

That’s so amazing!

[@tubamaestro55]

Damn... I want this piece played at my funeral. I want it sung by a whole choir... I don't care if I'm not there to hear it... I'm sitting here nearly crying... Whitaker is a musical genius and he knows how to write heartfelt pieces with amazing chords. I'm not in chorus, but I am in band, and I find this one the most amazing pieces ever written for a large ensemble. Getting softer and softer at the end is just absolutely amazing... God bless music!

[@midnightskyofficial]

Love the chord when it says "bed"

[@TheLemonTempest]

+Agent Napkin That chord gives be goosebumps.... I love this song so much.

[@TheGrandBrand]

+Agent Napkin To my ears it's a F major chord +2nd +4th. The first five degrees of a major scale, in other words. I absolutely love the harmony in Whitacre. It's so sweet you can taste it.

[@stevend285]

Nah "Soooon"

[@ziruini5071]

NIGHTSTALKER the basses give me chills on that chord

[@Amontanea]

If you are not In choir u are missing out in the most wonderful experience in your whole life.

[@thedarkcrystall]

chills and tears all at once

[@ChuChild]

performed this the other day. only three sopranos were allowed to sing soprano one because only three of us could master and sing the top notes without taking a breath. it's really a lovely piece ^-^

[@lillyyosua7969]

When the men join in at "what dreams may come both dark and deep" is so expressive and amazingly sung

[@curtbarnes4294]

The evening hangs beneath the moon A silver thread on darkened dune With closing eyes and resting head I know that sleep is coming soon Upon my pillow, safe in bed A thousand pictures fill my head I cannot sleep my minds a flight And yet my limbs seem made of lead If there are noises in the night A frighting shadow, flickering light Then I surrender unto sleep Where clouds of dreams give second sight What dreams may come both dark and deep Of flying wings and soaring leap As I surrender unto sleep As I surrender unto sleep

[@susanvaughan4210]

Thank you for this!

[@brianbaumgarn5795]

I was priviledged to play for some great conductors as a young high school student over (ouch)! 45 years ago. The young people performing this music had a mountain top experience being there and that is going to become more and more a part of their being as they age. To be directed by the composer of such beautiful music, wow people!

[@FlutistPride]

Love it when composers conduct their own music.

[@accooper1994]

What I would pay to see this live is painful

[@kimsmith1383]

I just read an email from my Chorus President of the West Coast Singers that we will be performing it this Fall. West Coast Singers is in Los Angeles. Where are you?

[@CelticHarmony15]

I'm in an advanced women's chorus called charisma and I've had the opportunity to sing she weeps over rahoon, sleep, and seal lullaby both at school and in honor choir performances. Regardless of how much time elapses, I never forget the notes I sang in whitacre's pieces. He is a sexy musical genius....I would faint if he conducted us. He brings out the best in every vocalist.

[@danielbowers457]

My wind ensemble band in high school played this and it's the only time I ever had tears in my eyes during one of our performances.

[@DamnToe]

3:31-3:40 is just BEAUTIFUL.

[@SheepUnderwater]

I was an Alto 2 in the All State Choir that did this is SW Oklahoma last year. I loved doing the Alto part because we got to create the disonent chord on "soon". I still get goosebumps hearing it cause it isn't often done in music. I still remember most of the part I sung but I didn't get to keep the sheet music... still a beautiful piece and I would do anything to sing it again.

[@AndrewHokanson]

In our arrangement of "Address to the Moon" the Tenor 2s got to create the dissonance, I wish it was done more often in choral music.

[@JohnFKennedy420]

Intergalactic Fantastic our choir sang this too and I feel the same way. Would do absolutely anything to create such a beautiful sound again

[@theodouglas8856]

i know you posted this 6 years ago, but we're doing this in our high school choir and if you want ill send it to you, i can keep mine

[@jashonlucius4244]

Could somebody explain the idea behind the dissonance... I want to use it to arrange some vocal harmonies

[@StephenVTran]

Amazing. I tried sleeping to this but then everyone started clapping, still so beautiful

[@Republicrat74]

Congratulations to all of you who've had the pleasure of being part of fine Choral performances. Only those who have can appreciate the thrill of making great music together. I sang with choirs and chorales for 62 years. Most memorable was singing Bass in a performance of the Verdi Requiem with the Chicago Symphony at Orchestra Hall. The first time we all were together was the dress rehearsal, and I can still recall the awesome power of the Dies Irae ringing in that empty empty hall!!

[@anthonyramirez7272]

God, imagine hearing this for the first time. I've been listening to this song for almost 4 years now and I'm hearing it like it was the first time I heard this timeless masterpiece. And I've come to love the number 2:52 because that's where on the Light and gold version by the EWS, is when the most amazing choral sound I've ever heard is played time after time. It's absolutely timeless to me. It holds sentimental value to me and I'll never forget this stunning song.

[@Allinfun6789]

Choir was a huge deal back in high school in the 1980s. This kind of experience was every day in rehearsal..but oh wow how cool would it have been to do an Eric Whitacre piece. I feel robed.

[@tennotes]

Such intensity. Every eye was on the conductor. You could tell every single person wanted to perform perfectly for this man and his music. It's funny how sleep can be so powerful!! Congratulations to these young singers.

[@OMGLOLPEACEOUT]

This is one of the reasons why I am so proud to be in choir.

[@davidcat436]

I absolutely love this piece and this particular performance of it. I listen to it over and over, and never get tired of it. Such an honor for anyone who was a part of this performance.

[@harmonythouart]

had the privilege of singing this with one of the top choirs in the country with his private instruction... the greatest song I ever got to sing. When you're in the middle of it... the harmonies and dissonant moments are just out of this gave us chills just singing it. Its still one of my favorite compositions- although all of his work I've gotten to sing I loved...

[@andristic]

This made me tear up like four different times. Partly from nostalgia from performing this in high school but most definitely because of the awesome choir and the great piece.

[@OrganMaster310]

Learning this in the choir I am in. Just soo beautiful. Brings me to tears.

[@KyMiyu]

It makes a guy like me happy to just see all of these people completely entranced in the music they are singing. Almost 200 people and all of them have the same passion and understanding as the person next to them. All those people. One mans dream.

[@charlienawa4354]

1:07 i have never heard such a funky, beautiful, dissonant, and unusual chord in my life. thank you eric whitacre

[@jotaerreito]

It is F Major (add4) (add9). Allan Holdsworth used it a lot.

[@jswizzletdrizzle]

My school's Varsity Singers sang this at State and got the highest rating. No wonder, how could you not with this amazing piece. Eric Whitacre is a modern musical genius!! The way he conducts the choir, the way he makes them decrescendo into NOTHING at the end. The tight harmonies and haunting melody.... i just can't get over it.

[@LorinTone]

Let's face it folks. Never mind his looks, Mr. Whitacre is the real deal. And his swollen (choir) membership is about to treat us with new gifts. A loud and hearty cheer for all the vocalists who did this bit, and all the rest who are on his current project.

[@Orinthophobia13]

I don't know why I was crying while listening to this. So beautiful what human voices can create.

[@Martas247]

Absolutely breathtaking - the arrangement, chord progression, dynamics & feel. Stunning composition. Eric you are a real star.

[@brianbaumgarn5795]

The first time I played Warren Benson's "The Leaves are Falling" in concert with symphonic band it was a transcendant experience. Now many years later, I am moved that deeply by the music of Eric Whitacre all the time. I know all the vocalists who performed on that evening in Minnesota will carry experience with them all their lives. This is an amazing performance, too!

[@xXRockStevenXx]

This was the recording that got me addicted to Eric Whitacre's music. I love this song.

[@Luca-gj9xn]

You are very good and this song is really beautiful! My choir sang it during one of our last performances. Write this in the search. You're going to love it for sure! Corale Novarmonia - Sleep (E. Whitacre)

[@soleeombra6261]

It's wonderful! You are very talented! :)

[@JoshLeRose]

Brilliant, and inspiring. This piece made me fall in love with Whitacre's music.

[@iGookin]

Astounding. This choir couldn't have been in a better place - this Orchestra Hall is just perfect for this sound.

[@pedropetrucci2884]

You might call it perfection. Just like that, ‘perfection’. I remember when I sang this stunning Erick Whitacre’s piece with the Coral Societas, once in a university choral competition. It was only once and I'm sure it marked everyone's lives in the chorus. I remember my friend, Camilo, shaking next to me and looking at my eyes when the piece was coming to an end. Yes, we both had felt the deep touch of death while singing. I’ve never ever been so close to heaven and death, at the same time, as I was at that moment. Sleep” always makes us think of the dead, not as an end but as a sweet resting, quiet and chill. “Sleep”. Memorable performance. I really miss the chorus.

[@RashadAmand]

Oh my Lord in Heaven above!!!!!!!! This is just proof of God's existance! Just Listen!!!!! I am just baffeled by the unity of tone, the blend, the tone, and the pianissimo at the end! Very very few people/groups can achieve that level of singing!!

[@franzflemming]

1:07 Love this Chord!

[@jotaerreito]

It is F Major (add4) (add9). Allan Holdsworth used it a lot.

[@allenrussell1947]

Eric Whitacre's talent is beyond words. I'd give anything to see and hear him conduct a live performance of Sleep.

[@wlutes558]

don't forget to notice-Eric Whitacre is an accomplished and artistic conductor. He KNOWS what he's doing. Good placement by the sopranos in this song.

[@2145791]

I listened to it on loud during disgusting firework night,I suffer from PTS following an explosion at work.I (and my four Jack Russells) thank Eric for his therapy and bliss.

[@SeanAttk]

Had a remembrance service just an hour ago, and this was sung. I literally was suppressing tears it was so beautiful and evoked so many feelings and experiences :') So beautiful

[@TheVineWithLeslie]

i performed this song while back in 2006 with ld bell hs choir !!!! best song ever!, goosebumps, tears, elegance..!! I bet my dear friend mr. valverde is singing here, this lovely song, again, only this time conducted by the genius who created it!!!

[@luckisevensofia]

of course as we all know this is beautiful, but my FAVORITE part is that eric whitacre is obviously having the time of his life - did you see him smiling! good for him.

[@andyadams9174]

This is the music that transcends the material realm!

[@dookie_mane]

At the end it’s literally feels like you’re falling asleep it’s amazing

[@JamesKrudop]

What I would do, just to meet this man. His ear for composing knows no bounds.

[@RazorToothMusic]

I never get tired of listening to this song. Just amazing :D

[@TheCaseylaw]

My choral teacher adores whitacre and his music, to be honest everyone that hears his music does.

[@MrLemongravy]

When my band director told us that the song was not just about sleep but dying I was like "Holy mother God this changes everything" and yeah it makes me wanna cry

[@Malcolm255]

This version of Eric Whitacre's SLEEP is, in my opinion, the best recorded instance of this beautiful piece of music along with the word by Anthony Silvestri. I am not a singer but I can imagine the joy that a person performing acapella in a choir might sense with this music. I made a music video recently using this particular recording. It is dedicated to my wife, Ann, who suffered a severe stroke on July 17, 2009. You can find this video on KZbin by typing R Malcolm Brown Jr, then select it

[@rebeccavon9321]

Reminds me of when I sang with my districts ILMEA (Illinois Music Educators Association) choir, amazing

[@masongonzales4036]

This is such a beautiful piece. Mr. Whitacre is an amazing person.

[@sirr09]

every time i hear this song, i can't help but sing the tenor/tenor 1 part right along with it. this song is forever imprinted in my head.

[@maddeegirl1]

my chorus and band teachers showed me this and i havent stopped watching it sinse... this is a beautiful song... i wish our chorus and band could do this.... eric whitacre is amazing!

[@killingnatalie]

I love Eric Whitace. I'm not in choir or anything, I'm actually in band and we've played October and Lux Aurumque, but he makes me wish I could sing. If I could, I would kill to be in a group like this conducted by him. He's amazing, and so is his music. So beautiful. Great job.

[@kghobbes]

first chord = chills. and they never stopped coming. and i swear to God i'm not exaggerating about that. so so SO beautiful.

[@13evertomorrow]

We're singing this in Chorus, and when my teacher played this for us... I got chills. Oh.... it's beautiful beyond description. Eric Whitacre is brilliant.

[@MasterIsh91]

THAT ONE COUGH!

[@celia7494]

with eric whitacre's compositions, it's the only time i've ever heard dissonance sound THAT amazing.

[@SirFrancealot]

My choir won the CBC choral competition a few years ago probably only because we performed this piece well. Definitely one of my favourite choral compositions of the past half century.

[@ageshero]

No music can be more beautiful than one voice combined from many others. Music in heaven i would interpret to sound like this, but as if everyone one who was ever alive had sung all together at once, To praise in one voice. Which is why this music i find to be so beautiful

[@UnallowedUserName]

For some reason this is the only recording of Sleep I can listen to.

[@greatgiginthesky9898]

This is one of the most beautiful works of art I've ever heard

[@mrsax13]

Ridicullous amount of controlled sound. Bravo. In my mind Whitacre and Ticheli are the only composers that have existed in the past 20 years.

[@gabbiewitham]

i love that clash at 0.55 inspired me, definitely.

[@clarinet2231]

I can't even imagine what this was like in-person or what it's like to be Eric Whitacre :-D

[@PeaceLoveHendrix]

the high school choir i'm in just preformed this song yesterday. while learning the piece, we had a difficult time with tuning so our choir director had us sing it in a room with absolutely no lights on. that definitely helped. it turned out great

[@GenzaiDandy]

This song really has one of the best climaxes i've ever heard.

[@brianbaumgarn5795]

What a privilege it would have been to sing or be there for this concert. Eric is a genius and definitely is inspired. I cried the first time I ever heard one of his works and many, many times since.

[@w1011457]

The men in this ensemble are truly spectacular...a well rounded choir altogether but the guys really pulled this one off for me. Way to go, great show!

[@insaernst6589]

Something about this song let me still believe in miracles

[@GusTheWolfgang]

I was just listening to this with a serious expression on my face, and when the climax came I just bursted into tears and laughter. This is a beautiful piece and I am glad I could listen to such a wonderful interpretation!

[@951murr]

This song is painfully beautiful, as are many of eric whitacre's composition. It's so beautiful, it makes you choke.

[@scoopztb]

This is awesome. The smile he makes after conducting is awesome to. He loves what he does.

[@christianfinnerty7627]

Omg this song is so buetiful im an alto 1 and were singing this in my high School choir

[@leamelgar3324]

Still listening to this in 2018. This piece gets me EVERY time. Chilllllssss

[@AzzeyShboom]

Eric Whitacre is to classical genius as Robbie Ray Cyrus is to Country music! SOOO talented! I absolutely adore and admire this song and how well it was sung and conducted! Thrills!!!

[@dmanski]

I enjoy the nature in which Eric directed this piece. Very organic. I hate when directors keep tempo throughout this entire piece and don't experiment with emoting the phrases. Like 1..2..3..4...C'mon give this piece the emotion it deserves. In other words, do what Eric is doing here. For myself, this is the type of piece where everything just has to compliment each other in order for it to be enjoyably amazing. I need more piercing sopranos on those soaring lines. It wavered too much for me.

[@sparkie2011]

The poor of song; and when we put our voices together...incredible.

[@WinyanHanhepiwi]

I envy all of you fortunate to have worked with Whitacre. That must be quite an experience. This might be my all time favorite Whitacre piece, although it's hard to choose just one.

[@crazy4harrypotter7]

Amazing! Our highest honors choir did this song and it sounded amazing but this is astounding. And as for the coughing it's Minnesota people! I live there and it freezing 10 of the 12 months!

[@SpencerCindia]

I cried through almost the whole song. I feel it inside me every time. This is probably the best song I've ever heard in my life.

[@leslieackerman4189]

Marvelous. A choral voice along another great living American composer: Morten Lauridsen. Kudos.

[@rippinsteo]

I still hold the BYU Singers recording of Sleep as the gold standard, but this is one of the best I've heard--of course directed by Mr Whitacre himself. Congrats to all. Very well done.

[@davidcat436]

I just listened to the BYU recording mentioned. Too slow, erratic and sterile compared to this rendition here. My two cents.

[@Lithoxene]

Eric Whitacre is such a beautiful man.

[@islaythejabberwokky]

DANG, that blend is perfection... ERIC I WORSHIP THEE

[@steelvenom2003]

Not forgetting that it's performed by upper-midwesterners and the upper-midwest LOVES its choral music.

[@sousabone95]

So im extremely new to youtube. But I stumbled upon this video and my extremely good friend has just died from leukemia, and music was and still is a large part in his life while is up in heaven. This piece reminds me of all the happy times and journeys me and him have had and still will have. Thank you for listening to my prayers.

[@musicismyloveeee]

I don't even get how this doesn't have even at least 300,000 views.

[@Amb3r911]

This is the prettiest thing I have ever heard..........

[@poop_sandwich]

One of my greatest experiences as a Soprano 1 Choir kid. It was magical every time we performed this song. ❤

[@iGookin]

This is my favorite Eric Whitacre piece.