VOCES8: Sleep by Eric Whitacre

VOCES8 performs 'Sleep' by Eric Whitacre in St Stephen Walbrook Church in London.

The evening hangs beneath the moon,
A silver thread on darkened dune.
With closing eyes and resting head
I know that sleep is coming soon.

Upon my pillow, safe in bed,
A thousand pictures fill my head.
I cannot sleep, my mind’s a-flight;
And yet my limbs seem made of lead.

If there are noises in the night,
A frightening shadow, flickering light,
Then I surrender unto sleep,
Where clouds of dream give second sight,

What dreams may come, both dark and deep,
Of flying wings and soaring leap
As I surrender unto sleep,
As I surrender unto sleep.

(Charles Anthony Silvestri)

[Paint]

I've listened to this every day since I first found it. Yall are unbelievable

[simplyspeculation]

I will never forget singing this in high school seeing my dad crying in the audience. It was a very proud moment.

[pausole-vilaro]

The sopranos are absolutely spot on with every single note it's stunning

[roberthunt]

I'm nearing 70. I've been listening to classical ensembles all my life. I never knew about this group. Whatever one may think of YouTube . . . it led me here. This is an ecstatic revelation to my old ears. Bravo!

[AnjaHuebel]

Andrea Halsey has one of the best and purest high soprano voices on the planet, especially on sustained notes. Who agrees?

[charlottedennison]

Eric Whitacre came to my school in February for a residency. He told us the story of the piece.
This piece was originally commissioned for a man's funeral. The man loved Robert Frost, so Whitacre wrote the music set to the words of Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" (Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though..."). Before he could publish it, he needed approval from the Robert Frost foundation, as this poem wasn't public domain. And they told him "Sorry, no. You can't use it".


Devastated, Whitacre didn't lose hope completely. He called up his friend Tony - his long-time librettist Charles Anthony Silvestri. "Listen Tony, " said Eric at midnight, "I need you to write a poem exactly as long as this Frost one, in the same meter, and end it on the words "sleep". I know it's a lot to ask, but will you try for me?". By 8:00 the next morning, Silvestri had written a poem, inspired by his toddler son who would take forever to settle down and fall asleep.


Years later, the Robert Frost foundation called Eric Whitacre up, saying "Hey, if you want to use Frost's words, you can now". A bit late.

[MsMsmak]

Unreal. I hope Whiteacre is listening to this. Truly spectacular.

[kikivolauvent]

Whitacre combined with Voces8 - AND the lyrics included - heaven times 10!

[anthonyhumphrey]

They bring out those passing dissonances so well! Amazing!!!!

[panzerceremoniaire]

Am I the only one to notice the wind in the trees behind the window behind them ? This is hauntingly beautiful. What a moment of grace.

[iqraes]

Finally that Whitacre's masterpiece performed by you, guys!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[michaelschindlbeck]

This piece deserves the delicate handling that very few can achieve, and VOCES8 delivered in this recording. The tenderness of the beginning and end is simply spectacular, and the climax was executed absolutely perfectly. Thanks for covering one of my favorite pieces so wonderfully!

[sweydert]

2:55 - 3:55 are perhaps the greatest 60 seconds in the history of sound.

[bugsbycarlin]

Thank you. I am watching this during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is soothing and strengthening.

[brookethebook]

As a soprano, having a range and control as those two sopranos do is an absolute dream of mine. All of their voices are pure light but when the soprano pierces through it takes my breath away. Love this piece

[AxisFlier]

I'm a life long "Metal Head". But this is unbelievable !!! I'm glad I found those guys. They are perfection!!

[s.strickland]

I'm melting...this is Eric Whitacre and Voces8 at their best. You hear

[markmcguire]

Stunning. Bravo to tenors - so easy to over indulge in the climax and yet you did not and blended beautifully 🌈

[UkeOne]

I firmly believe Eric Whitacre would be very happy with this performance. The blend is exquisite. Bravo!

[perrins]

That climax followed by the controlled descent is just otherworldly. Mesmerising.