description Cloudburst (Whitacre) Overview
Cloudburst is a choral composition by American composer Eric Whitacre, based on a Spanish-language poem by Octavio Paz. Written for mixed choir with piano and percussion, it includes spoken and sung passages as well as body percussion used to imitate the gathering sound of rain and a thunderstorm. The theatrical sound effects and layered vocal writing make it especially suited to choirs capable of coordinating conventional singing with spatial and percussive gestures.
help Cloudburst (Whitacre) FAQ
What poem is Eric Whitacre's Cloudburst based on?
The text comes from "El cántico de las moscas" (a portion sometimes referred to as "Cloudburst") by the Mexican Nobel laureate Octavio Paz. Whitacre set the original Spanish-language poem alongside an English translation for mixed choir.
How does Cloudburst create the sound of rain?
Singers use finger snaps, hand rubbing, and body percussion to simulate the buildup and arrival of a thunderstorm, gradually layering these sounds under sung and spoken passages. Piano four-hands and percussion parts—including thunder sheet and chimes—reinforce the storm imagery.
What voicing and instrumentation is Cloudburst written for?
It is scored for mixed choir (SATB) with divisi, piano four-hands, and optional percussion. The choral writing frequently splits into eight parts, requiring strong sectional independence.
Is Cloudburst suitable for a high school choir?
Many advanced high school and collegiate ensembles perform it successfully, but the dense divisi, Spanish text, and extended body-percussion sections require careful preparation. It is generally considered one of Whitacre's more accessible works compared to pieces like "When David Heard."
explore Explore More
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
