Composer and conductor Eric Whitacre headed to college with dreams of becoming a rock superstar, but was detoured by life-altering experiences in choir and band. That's not to say he hasn't achieved those dreams, though — his compositions and social media presence have rocketed him to stardom in the choral world, with legions of fans and a virtual choir that could almost fill a stadium. He returns to Orchestra Hall this week, bringing with him one of his most beloved early works (in a new version for orchestra and choir) and a brand new piece, Deep Field (to learn more about Deep Field, join us online for a live discussion with Whitacre and MPR's Brian Newhouse.)
We'll check out five compositions by Whitacre in this week's Morning Glories, looking forward to the live broadcast of his appearance with the Minnesota Orchestra and Minnesota Chorale on Friday night.
Monday
Lux Aurumque and Nox Aurumque
Lux Aurumque is arguably one of Whitacre's most popular pieces, and is frequently performed by a variety of ensembles, from high school groups to professional choirs. Nox Aurumque, written several years later, is a dramatic companion to Lux Aurumque — darker, more intricate, yet as luminous as its predecessor.
Tuesday
Three Songs of Faith
Whitacre set three of e.e. cummings' poems for a commission to celebrate Northern Arizona University's centennial, each one a blissful exultation of life.
Wednesday
The River Cam
Inspired by daily walks along the River Cam in Cambridge, England, this gentle piece for cello soloist and orchestra is reminiscent of the pastoral British sound made famous by Elgar and Vaughan Williams.
Thursday
Three Flower Songs
Some of Whitacre's earliest choral settings, the poems of three disparate writers — Emily Dickinson, Federico Garcia Lorca, and Edmund Weller — share a common theme of flowers as a metaphor for love and loss.
Friday
Ghost Train Triptych
This week's Minnesota Orchestra concerts feature one of Whitacre's earlier wind band works, Godzilla Eats Las Vegas!, in a reworking for orchestra and chorus. Here's another early wind band work, evocative of the bygone days of train travel across the West.
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