Composers & Arrangers

Eric Whitacre is one of the most popular and performed composers of this age, a distinguished conductor, broadcaster and public speaker. I have performed several pieces by Eric Whitacre including "Sleep" and "Cloudburst." The first time I heard "Sleep," I immediately fell in love with the piece. The tight harmonies and note clusters had me completely surrendered to the piece. The lyrics of the piece are actually a beautiful poem written by Charles Anthony Silvestri. They add so much to the piece, it is a PERFECT combination!!

Listen to this beautiful piece HERE!

Kurt Bestor is another composer I recently heard of. I had sung a famous piece by him in High School that is called "The Prayer of the Children." It was not until recently that I knew that he was the composer. I began to listen to more of his music and was very moved by some of his pieces. "The Prayer of the Children" is an incredible piece that moved me to tears when I first heard it. Like Whitacre, Bestor likes to use tight harmonies and note clusters which I am a sucker for. 

Listen to "Prayer of the Children" HERE!

There are millions and millions of composers out there that you can relate to and their music. I happen to identify with both of these composers because I like arranging and composing music that has many tight harmonies that include dissonant tension and release chords. Name a few composers or arrangers who you may identify yourself with and explain why.




I do not own any of these videos or pictures.

References

(2013). Eric Whitacre Composer, Conductor, Lecturer. Retrieved from http://ericwhitacre.com/
(2009). Eric Whitacre Conducts "Sleep." Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9shXm0cIeEY
(2008). The Prayer of the Children. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_xj6Ymz9ak