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Alleluia (Whitacre)

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description Alleluia (Whitacre) Overview

"Alleluia" is a contemporary a cappella choral composition written by American composer Eric Whitacre in 2011. The piece was originally commissioned for the Louisiana State University A Cappella Choir and is characterized by its slow, meditative tempo and dense, tone-cluster harmonies. Whitacre uses the simple, repetitive text "alleluia" to focus the listener's attention on the evolving harmonic texture and the rich, resonant blending of the mixed voices. It has quickly become a staple of modern choral repertoire, frequently performed by high school, collegiate, and professional ensembles.

help Alleluia (Whitacre) FAQ

What is Eric Whitacre's Alleluia based on?

The choral work Alleluia is based on an original melody that Eric Whitacre wrote for his earlier choral piece, Sleep. He re-arranged the melody and set it to the single word Alleluia at the request of a conductor.

Is Eric Whitacre's Alleluia religious?

While the piece uses the traditional religious word Alleluia, Whitacre composed it more as a meditative, spiritual reflection than a strictly liturgical one. It relies entirely on the word Alleluia to explore deep emotional states through sound.

What makes Eric Whitacre's Alleluia difficult to sing?

The piece is known for its lush, complex tone-cluster harmonies, requiring immense breath control and precise intonation from the choir. The singers must navigate dense, closely spaced chords while maintaining a slow, meditative tempo.

When did Eric Whitacre compose his Alleluia?

Whitacre composed Alleluia in 2011 for the Brigham Young University Singers and their conductor Ronald Staheli. It quickly became a staple in the contemporary choral repertoire alongside his famous Virtual Choir projects.

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