Water Night, the Movie
March 4, 2009Well, music video anyway… just an extraordinarily strange and beautiful short film set to Water Night, performed by and featuring the excellent Norwegian group Kammerkoret Nova.
When I wrote Water Night – fifteen years ago (!)- I never in my wildest dreams imagined that it might inspire something like this.
That’s so cool! Never how I’ve imagined Water Night, but it works.
Fifteen years, wow! Certainly one of your most enduring pieces. It’s aged perfectly.
That was marvelous! The video worked really well with the music. 15 years ago, wow! I am still amazed that you sketched this stunning piece out in 45 minutes!! Thanks for sharing this with us.
Amazing stuff. Correct me if I’m wrong but did you not also use the “and if you close your eyes” in Paradise Lost?
I listened to this recording and WOW! The video, I agree is strange but it draws you in. It is very hypnotic and I like the effect of the lighting they used and most of all their expression.
Justin, yes he did. I noticed that one at the time
I did too.
Honestly, Water Night has been my favorite for a long time now.
I remember when I was first introduced to your music. One day, a fellow choir member was playing a beautiful song on the piano before play practice. Curious, I approached him and asked what song it was. He turned an incredulous eye in my direction and he said to me, “Don’t you know who this is?” as if I had just insulted him. I shook my head in reply. In shock, he grabbed my hand, led me to the choir room where he took advantage of the big surround sound stereo and plopped in a CD that he was carrying in his coat pocket into the CD tray. He whipped out a choir folder, stuffed full with music, one of which he had been playing on the piano moments before, and took out a song from his messy collection. Opening it, he started the CD and moved forward to a song, when he told me matter-of-factly, “I’m going to make you a member of the Eric Whitacre fanclub.” I nodded my head. He continued, cranking up the volume as he did so, “This album is Cloudburst. I’m going to show you this song, Water Night.” As the song played, I remember having this drowning sensation as I listened to it. It absolutely transfixed me. I was lost and amazed and…Well, I could go on forever. My friend was following along in the music, showing me how the notes moved in such fascination as if they were actually moving on the paper. The excitement caught on, and when the song finally ended, I asked for another one. So we listened to When David Heard, where I wept for the first time because of a song, and A Boy and A Girl, Sleep, and, eventually, the whole CD. It is an amazing memory, one that I keep very close.
Ever since, I’ve been hooked. Your work, and Water Night, has kept me inspired, touched, and just…happy. So, I’d like to say: Thank you. Really, thank you. I cannot begin to describe the effects of your amazing music. I look forward to hearing more and one day, seeing you in concert.
And I know that all that was quite cheesy, but it’s from the heart, yeah?
I just had to get it out. I’ve been an avid listener for five years and plan to be for many more.
The choir is fantastic, as well as the video. I would like to see a good video of Sleep or A Boy and A Girl. That would be pretty sweet.
Hey Mr. Whitacre! I believe that this choir rendered your song beautifully, but then again, it’s nigh impossible to make your songs NOT sound beautiful. I heard your piece “When David Heard” performed live, and when the choir builds in the beginning in all it’s 18-part harmony glory, it sends chills through my spine, especially live. You quickly climbed to become my favorite composer of all time, and all of your a capella vocal pieces stun me. I have been singing in my school’s choirs since sixth grade, and currently am a sophmore in high school, serving as the bass section leader for our school’s concert and show choirs. Since I was 7 I have loved classical music, studied music of all genres, and have learned it’s language. You, sir, have truly inspired me in so many ways, especially with your piece “Sleep” which I have been listening to on repeat for the past hour. I would love to compose songs of my own some day, but for a more likely dream, I hope to soon sing one of your incredible songs. I will be singing in the All-State Festival in Boston in a couple of weeks, and was quite upset when I learned that none of your songs were included in the repetoire.
Anyways, I am totally getting off subject, but I just wanted you to know how much you have helped me better understand and appreciate music. This video captures your song wonderfully. I certainly hope to one day have the fortune of seeing you live, and (thouigh this is a long shot) possibly even meeting you. Thank you so much, Mr. Whitacre, and I wish you well. Enjoy your time in Oklahoma!
Exelent… beautifull…original…Unic…
Thancks…
Matias, the director of Vocal Group Tirn Aill
Argentina, Buenos Aires.
If anyone ever asks me why I study music, I play this muic
Thank you so much for everything you’ve done.
Erg, now that I post my comment, I see my redundacy.
That is exactly what music is supposed to do, portray an image within our minds when we are performing, singing, composing…
This video expresses exactly that. I am in awe.
That’s what I hope to portray in my compositions, bringing you into another world, where fear becomes hope, and hope becomes peaceful resolution. Thank you Mr. Whitacre for your music. I hope one day I get to speak with you or even meet you. That is my biggest dream.