Whitacre's World Premiere of Sainte-Chapelle
11th March 2013
© Clive Barda
Held at the audience-packed St Paul’s Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle was part of the new-work showcase in an impressive evening of performances from old works to the current. Particular praise was given to Whitacre…
‘Eric Whitacre, today's hottest property in choral writing, was in the audience to hear the premiere of his own new work inspired by that wondrous 13th-century Parisian jewel box, Saint-Chapelle. Angels in the stained glass sing the Sanctus, first in long, sinuous quasi plainchant and then gradually dividing into more and more parts, creating tone clusters that dazzle like shafts of sunlight through the windows. From modest beginnings the music unfurls to become ever more complex, rich and rewarding. Another hit from the charismatic Mr Whitacre.’ (Stephen Pritchard, The Observer)
The Tallis Scholars will perform the work again, alongside Tribute to Cavafy and other works by John Tavener as they continue their anniversary celebrations this year.
A digital single of Sainte-Chapelle will be released by Gimmell on March 18, with exclusive airplay on Classic FM, a Guardian article and other press on that date. You can pre-order here
