Comments on: Changes in “i thank You God for most this amazing day” http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/changes-in-i-thank-you-god-for-most-this-amazing-day/ The Official Blog of Composer and Conductor Eric Whitacre Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:03:27 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Brandon http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/changes-in-i-thank-you-god-for-most-this-amazing-day/#comment-799 Brandon Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:58:25 +0000 http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/?p=17#comment-799 My college choir at Greenville College actually performed the piece and we sang it that way, it was beautiful. That happened to be my favorite part of the song. My college choir at Greenville College actually performed the piece and we sang it that way, it was beautiful. That happened to be my favorite part of the song.

]]> By: Claudette Mayer http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/changes-in-i-thank-you-god-for-most-this-amazing-day/#comment-450 Claudette Mayer Thu, 01 May 2008 16:26:28 +0000 http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/?p=17#comment-450 Dear Eric, The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys directed by John Scott will be performing "i thank You God for most this amazing day" as part of our American Voices concert on Tuesday, May 13th at 7:30 pm. We would be delighted if you could join us as our guest at the performance and at a reception for our donors after the concert. Of course we realize you probably have prior engagements, but we thought it wouldn't hurt to extend the invitaiton, just in case you happen to be in NYC. If you have close friends or family in the area, we'd be happy to have them attend the concert as well--just tell them to get in touch with me. In any case, know that we are delighted to be performing your work. Best regards, Claudette Mayer Concert Series Development Officer tel. 212-664-9360 Dear Eric,

The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys directed by John Scott will be performing “i thank You God for most this amazing day” as part of our American Voices concert on Tuesday, May 13th at 7:30 pm.

We would be delighted if you could join us as our guest at the performance and at a reception for our donors after the concert. Of course we realize you probably have prior engagements, but we thought it wouldn’t hurt to extend the invitaiton, just in case you happen to be in NYC. If you have close friends or family in the area, we’d be happy to have them attend the concert as well–just tell them to get in touch with me. In any case, know that we are delighted to be performing your work.

Best regards,
Claudette Mayer
Concert Series Development Officer
tel. 212-664-9360

]]> By: Aaron Majors http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/changes-in-i-thank-you-god-for-most-this-amazing-day/#comment-442 Aaron Majors Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:06:17 +0000 http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/?p=17#comment-442 Agreed. The line in question is probably my favorite line Cummings ever wrote. Agreed. The line in question is probably my favorite line Cummings ever wrote.

]]> By: Jake http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/changes-in-i-thank-you-god-for-most-this-amazing-day/#comment-284 Jake Mon, 17 Mar 2008 01:39:42 +0000 http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/?p=17#comment-284 Wow, I definitely like the new version better than the "I Will Wade Out" reprise. The entire poem is all about downplaying the importance of a person and bringing to focus the wonder and magnificence of God. That very last part deviates from that theme however, and focuses on that specific person. Shouting about how the "eyes of my eyes are now open" (like they do in the original BYU version) isn't appropriate or consistent with the theme of the poem. After all, that's why cummings put that phrase in parenthesees, to downplay the importance of the person. The soft chant-like music communicates the theme much better than the loud, declaration of praise that is the "I Will Wade Out" music. Wow, I definitely like the new version better than the “I Will Wade Out” reprise. The entire poem is all about downplaying the importance of a person and bringing to focus the wonder and magnificence of God. That very last part deviates from that theme however, and focuses on that specific person. Shouting about how the “eyes of my eyes are now open” (like they do in the original BYU version) isn’t appropriate or consistent with the theme of the poem. After all, that’s why cummings put that phrase in parenthesees, to downplay the importance of the person. The soft chant-like music communicates the theme much better than the loud, declaration of praise that is the “I Will Wade Out” music.

]]> By: Katy Exline http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/changes-in-i-thank-you-god-for-most-this-amazing-day/#comment-267 Katy Exline Sun, 09 Mar 2008 04:43:35 +0000 http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/?p=17#comment-267 My name is Katy and I am a senior singer for the Delaware Hayes Choir lead by Dara Gillis (we sang This Marriage), and I wanted to sincerely thank you for coming to Columbus, Ohio to work with us on March 3. We've always enjoyed working on your pieces (our very first being With a Lily in your Hand) because not only are your pieces challenging, but they are absolutely beautiful and stunning. It is pieces like yours that connect our generation with the composers and musicians of centuries ago. I speak for my entire choir when I say thank you again for taking time to work with our humble small town choir. It was an honor and a pleasure to work with you. Spending time with you was definitely one of the highlights of my musical career. God Bless! My name is Katy and I am a senior singer for the Delaware Hayes Choir lead by Dara Gillis (we sang This Marriage), and I wanted to sincerely thank you for coming to Columbus, Ohio to work with us on March 3. We’ve always enjoyed working on your pieces (our very first being With a Lily in your Hand) because not only are your pieces challenging, but they are absolutely beautiful and stunning. It is pieces like yours that connect our generation with the composers and musicians of centuries ago. I speak for my entire choir when I say thank you again for taking time to work with our humble small town choir. It was an honor and a pleasure to work with you. Spending time with you was definitely one of the highlights of my musical career. God Bless!

]]> By: Eric Granwehr http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/changes-in-i-thank-you-god-for-most-this-amazing-day/#comment-264 Eric Granwehr Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:18:07 +0000 http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/?p=17#comment-264 ERIC ARE YOU GOING TO BE PERFORMING OR HAVING A CHOIR PERFORM IN HOFSTRA?! I know you basically have no way of replying to this, but i live near Hofstra and would pretty much die if you were holding a concert of some sort. UM. I'll have to keep checking tourdates somewhere and see what is up with you! ERIC ARE YOU GOING TO BE PERFORMING OR HAVING A CHOIR PERFORM IN HOFSTRA?! I know you basically have no way of replying to this, but i live near Hofstra and would pretty much die if you were holding a concert of some sort. UM. I’ll have to keep checking tourdates somewhere and see what is up with you!

]]> By: Seth Garrepy http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/changes-in-i-thank-you-god-for-most-this-amazing-day/#comment-263 Seth Garrepy Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:25:46 +0000 http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/?p=17#comment-263 Eric, Funny you should post this up today! Here at Univ. of Oklahoma, we're doing this cycle for our April concerts, and our director, Robby Greenlee, and I were just debating your intent with having Cloudburst perform the earlier version. Not surprisingly, we're struggling with intonation and musicality mostly in that section. I'm going to pass this insert along to Robby and we'll have that one used instead of the published one. Thanks, in a HUGE way, for making this available! I know Robby will be thrilled that he won't have to transcribe it now! ~Seth Garrepy Eric,

Funny you should post this up today! Here at Univ. of Oklahoma, we’re doing this cycle for our April concerts, and our director, Robby Greenlee, and I were just debating your intent with having Cloudburst perform the earlier version. Not surprisingly, we’re struggling with intonation and musicality mostly in that section. I’m going to pass this insert along to Robby and we’ll have that one used instead of the published one. Thanks, in a HUGE way, for making this available! I know Robby will be thrilled that he won’t have to transcribe it now!

~Seth Garrepy

]]> By: Derek Hall http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/changes-in-i-thank-you-god-for-most-this-amazing-day/#comment-258 Derek Hall Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:20:39 +0000 http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/?p=17#comment-258 Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to sing this particualar piece of yours, but I have listened to it on the Polyphony recording, and I am sure that I would most likely agree with Luke. Although I do like a more flowing sound sometimes when it comes to the sort of lyrics that you have for this song... Anyway, on a sort of unrelated note, I would like to ask a favor of you... Right now I am a senior at Mountian Vista High school in Highlands Ranch Colorado. I know that it was set up earlier this year that you would be coming to our school to host a choral workshop. (Very excited by the way!) Anyway, thats not the point. In order to graduate I had to choose a topic that I would research thouroughly and create a presentaion on, and I chose to research you and your choral and symphonic works. To make a long story short I was wondering if I could get an email interview from you as a direct source. I apologize for posting this excessively long message on your blog, but I could not find another way to get in touch with you. I would really appreciate it if you could, but if you can't, that is totally fine too. Thank you so much, and again, can't wait to meet you in May! ~Derek Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to sing this particualar piece of yours, but I have listened to it on the Polyphony recording, and I am sure that I would most likely agree with Luke. Although I do like a more flowing sound sometimes when it comes to the sort of lyrics that you have for this song…

Anyway, on a sort of unrelated note, I would like to ask a favor of you… Right now I am a senior at Mountian Vista High school in Highlands Ranch Colorado. I know that it was set up earlier this year that you would be coming to our school to host a choral workshop. (Very excited by the way!) Anyway, thats not the point. In order to graduate I had to choose a topic that I would research thouroughly and create a presentaion on, and I chose to research you and your choral and symphonic works. To make a long story short I was wondering if I could get an email interview from you as a direct source. I apologize for posting this excessively long message on your blog, but I could not find another way to get in touch with you. I would really appreciate it if you could, but if you can’t, that is totally fine too. Thank you so much, and again, can’t wait to meet you in May!
~Derek

]]> By: Wendell Clarke http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/changes-in-i-thank-you-god-for-most-this-amazing-day/#comment-248 Wendell Clarke Tue, 04 Mar 2008 05:30:09 +0000 http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/?p=17#comment-248 Sorry Eric, I think I agree with Jimmie. I like the one Brigham Young recorded. Not only does it vibe very well with "I will wade out" but I think it sets up a very soft, fragile and vulnerable mood, quite like the state the flower is in before it blooms into the chords of "open". I like monk-chant and when I heard Polyphony do the original version, I thought..."this does not fit here". It's contrast to the "open" is far too strong, too jagged. Bah! I do not like disagreeing with you, especially about your own music! Sorry Eric,

I think I agree with Jimmie. I like the one Brigham Young recorded. Not only does it vibe very well with “I will wade out” but I think it sets up a very soft, fragile and vulnerable mood, quite like the state the flower is in before it blooms into the chords of “open”. I like monk-chant and when I heard Polyphony do the original version, I thought…”this does not fit here”. It’s contrast to the “open” is far too strong, too jagged.

Bah! I do not like disagreeing with you, especially about your own music!

]]> By: Jimmie http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/changes-in-i-thank-you-god-for-most-this-amazing-day/#comment-243 Jimmie Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:11:56 +0000 http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/?p=17#comment-243 I'm sorry you don't like the version that was published originally. I think it's a beautiful musical effect that, though difficult, can grab and hold an audience's attention so that it is more attentive to the wonderful building chords of "open". The chant-like section, as performed by Polyphony, sounds mundane. It's one of the few parts of your music I've ever heard that made me think "Meh". Gah, I do not like disagreeing with you, especially about your own music! I’m sorry you don’t like the version that was published originally. I think it’s a beautiful musical effect that, though difficult, can grab and hold an audience’s attention so that it is more attentive to the wonderful building chords of “open”.

The chant-like section, as performed by Polyphony, sounds mundane. It’s one of the few parts of your music I’ve ever heard that made me think “Meh”.

Gah, I do not like disagreeing with you, especially about your own music!

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