Water Night: Eric Whitacre Virtual choral composition

Another gem from Eric Whitacre. He describes this peace as flowing almost spontaneously from his pen and as a pure gift of the muses. A beautiful tribute to his mentor and teacher Bruch Mayhall. You can listen to the choral and orchestral arrangements.

http://ericwhitacre.com/music-catalog/satb-choral/water-night





Water Night


Night with the eyes of a horse that trembles in the night,

night with eyes of water in the field asleep

is in your eyes, a horse that trembles,

is in your eyes of secret water.



Eyes of shadow-water,

eyes of well-water,

eyes of dream-water.



Silence and solitude,

two little animals moon-led,

drink in your eyes,

drink in those waters.



If you open your eyes,

night opens, doors of musk,

the secret kingdom of the water opens

flowing from the center of night.



And if you close your eyes,

a river fills you from within,

flows forward, darkens you:

night brings its wetness to beaches in your soul.



Octavio Paz, 1914-1998

(Adapted by Eric Whitacre, Translation by Muriel Rukeyser)

A Boy and a Girl

Here is an exquisite choral and orchestral setting to a wonderful poem by Octavio Paz. Listen to them both. They are just delicious beyond words, and so heartrendingly emotional.

http://ericwhitacre.com/music-catalog/satb-choral/a-boy-and-a-girl



A Boy and a Girl


Stretched out on the grass

a boy and a girl.

Savoring their oranges,

giving their kisses like waves exchanging foam.



Stretched out on the beach,

a boy and a girl.

Savoring their limes,

giving their kisses like clouds exchanging foam.



Stretched out underground,

a boy and a girl.

Saying nothing, never kissing,

giving silence for silence.



Octavio Paz, 1914-1998

(Translated by Muriel Rukeyser

Cloudburst: Eric Whitacre Choral Composition

Simply one of the most moving musical experiences you will ever have. Put your headphones on and marvel at the beauty of a cloudburst in your mind. 

Follow the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Zqp0OpzMAI&feature=related

Sleep: A virtual choir experience

When I watched this I felt incredibly connected to the universal family of human beings, all seeking to bring some degree of sanity, love, and beauty into their lives. I felt sad that we have seemingly entered a time of great suffering in the world, an inability to see beyond the immediate satisfication of greed, much to the detriment of the future and to our present peace. May these 5 minutes of musical bliss bring you closer to the family of human inhabitants of this planet and bring forth an even stronger desire to increase peace and joy and dissipate negative energy. Every small voice counts and is multiplied when joined by other voices. If we do not sing our truth, we are doomed to misery and suffering.

I am reminded again of Thomas Berry's hopeful thought which is at the banner head of this blog:

The universe is a communion and a community. We ourselves are that communion become concious of itself.  

Follow the link

http://ericwhitacre.com/blog/the-virtual-choir/virtual-choir-on-nprs-all-things-considered

Another beauty Lux Aurumque if you feel inspired

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7o7BrlbaDs

The nature of reality explained

Finally a definitive discussion that will answer all your questions about the nature of the universe. Two highly ranked bodhisattvas go tooth and nail to bring us all closer to real understanding.. NOT TO BE MISSED. At 1:47 you will see and hear a very clear explanation of the Big Bang!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JmA2ClUvUY&feature=player_detailpage

When will it End?

Watch this moving tribut to a fallen soldier who happened to be gay. The parents speak eloquently of their son and how mindless it is to factor their son's sexuality into his service to the nation and to fellow soldiers. They make an important contribution by raising awareness of how repeal of DADT needs to finally be certified and fully implemented.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=220hCk1Omw0