Poster Eric Whitacre
Eric Whitacre collaborates with VOCES8 on his latest album.
Mark Royce/Courtesy of the Colburn School
New Classical Tracks®

Eric Whitacre wants you to feel at 'Home'

New Classical Tracks (Extended) - Eric Whitacre
DOWNLOAD

Eric Whitacre and Voces8 — Home (Decca)

00:00
0
listen
[0]
New Classical Tracks - Eric Whitacre

“If I could travel back in time and tell my 20-year-old self, this will be your life; you'll be a classical choral composer. I just never could have imagined it,” Eric Whitacre says.

“‘Go Lovely Rose’ is the first piece I wrote. I remember hearing it being sung live in the room. That's the day I knew I would be a composer,” he says, still realizing his dreams 30 years later.

That first composition is featured on his new recording, Home, in collaboration with the British vocal ensemble Voces8.

Why did you call the album Home?

On one level, it is referenced in a couple of the pieces on the album, specifically in Sacred Veil. It's the major theme and the final words of the entire piece. ‘Welcome home, my child. Welcome home.’”

What do you admire most about Voces8?

“It's their technical acumen. They're spectacular musicians. They sing with such purity and clarity. They sing so selflessly as a group. But there's this deeper thing going on, this kind of emotional intelligence that they have. I knew that from the albums, but I didn't really know until I was in the room with them.”

Can you talk about the liner note, ‘This is how I always dreamed it would sound’?

About 32 years ago, I wrote something close to it, and a version in my head is always playing. It is ‘I always imagined it would be like this.’ I remember the first time we sang through the album, and I thought, ‘Oh, my God, that's it.’ It replaced the version in my head. So now I think about how it should sound. It's just that recording.

“There's something about the transparency of just eight voices. It’s the strength of their purity. It causes these clouds of overtones that, while making the album, send chills down your spine that are just endless.”

To hear the rest of my conversation, click on the extended interview above, or download the extended podcast on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts.

Resources

Eric Whitacre and VOCES8 — Home (Decca store)

Eric Whitacre and VOCES8 — Home (Amazon)

Eric Whitacre (Official Site)

VOCES8 (Official Site)

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest New Classical Tracks® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest New Classical Tracks® Episodes

Violinist Ray Chen blends the worlds of classical music and video games
24:17
22:00
Lara Downes looks at America through the lens of a reimagined Gershwin
25:44
Mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade brings gratitude to her final recording
56:05
Pianist David Kaplan combines new American compositions with Schumann
29:39
Violinist Augustin Hadelich and pianist Orion Weiss take an American road trip together
35:06
Daphne Gerling and Tomoko Kashiwagi highlight brilliant 20th-century women
32:53
Anna Clyne and the Knights bring folk into classic on new album

Anna Clyne and the Knights bring folk into classic on new album

English composer Anna Clyne incorporates elements of folk music on her latest recording featuring the Knights. Listen as host Julie Amacher speaks to her and Eric Jacobson from the ensemble about their recent collaboration on the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks.’

38:36

Jeremy Denk performs Charles Ives' 'The Alcotts'

Oct. 20, 2024, marked the 150th birth anniversary of American composer Charles Ives. Join us in celebrating his life, music and legacy with pianist Jeremy Denk’s captivating performance of Ives’ ‘The Alcotts,’ recorded at Minnesota Public Radio's headquarters in St. Paul.

Guitarist David Leisner returns to 19th-century guitar repertoire with 'Charms to Soothe'
31:51
VIEW ALL EPISODES

About New Classical Tracks®

Host Julie Amacher provides an in-depth exploration of a new classical music release each week.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, Radio Public, or RSS.

About New Classical Tracks®