UK Summer welcomes a Choral Superstar

'Whitacre is that rare thing, a modern composer who is both popular and original' (The Daily Telegraph, London).
Presented by Damien Beaumont

Now a major force in contemporary choral music, American composer, conductor and lecturer Eric Whitacre makes his Royal Albert Hall debut in a late-night Prom and just how popular he is you can hear for yourself in this lovely concert from London. The younger-than-usual audience made the good-looking young composer welcome right from the start of what was a very interesting concert comprising mainly contemporary American choral works causing voices to soar in new but friendly ways around the magnificent hall. The titles alone are enticing beginning with 'Warm Up' by Bernstein and Whitacre's own 'Alleluia'. One that really grabbed my ear was 'Bach Again' as the baroque theme made its journey across the years towards a rich, floating texture that hangs in the air and in the mind.

Eric Whitacre introduces most of the pieces but one to watch out for is Imogen Heap's 'The Listening Chair'. She divides her 35 years , she tells us, into music where one minute covers seven years as she takes us from birth to 'who she is now'. Imogen is the soloist and she invites the audience to join her in the gentle ending. The BBC Singers are joined by The Eric Whitacre Singers and Ensemblebash.

Eric Whitacre
Eric Whitacre