Eric Whitacre’s dedication to the beauty of sound, paired with exquisite texts, results in a poetic combination that creates a unique sonic experience.
These works are existential choral moments, beautifully crafted, and harmonised to express a compressed moment in time. Such sublime sonorities transcend descriptions such as ‘warm’, ‘glistening’ or ‘shimmering’, although these features of his choral works do suggest affinities with the sound worlds of Arvo Pärt or John Tavener, for instance.
However, Whitacre’s fluid lines and blossoming harmonies give his music its own highly personal and irresistible magic.
“The only fully professional church choir in Canada, and, clearly, an energetic and inspiring team.” BBC Music Magazine
“The fresh-sounding Toronto-based Elora Festival Singers obviously love this optimistic and transparently honest music...Tuning is always spot-on and Nigel Edison draws a wide dynamic range from his singers. Climaxes are never coarse and the church acoustic is used to sublime effect...This stimulating and superb disc is a bargain and an absolute"'must-have".” Gramophone Magazine, September 2010
“...a choir long on experience and comfortable in its own collective skin. The mainly vibrato-less singing is warmly blended, with spot-on pitching, and a welcome focus on elucidating text and structure without gimmicky effect-making.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2010 ****
