To save the music, Whitacre turned to his friend, poet Charles Anthony Silvestri. Silvestri wrote a new poem that meticulously matched the meter and structure of the Frost original, shifting the theme from a journey through snowy woods to the "liminal" state between wakefulness and dreaming. A Dual Identity:
High. While the rhythms are simple, the intonation is incredibly difficult. Singers must hold semi-tones (notes right next to each other) with perfect pitch to prevent the "shimmer" from sounding like "noise." sleep+eric+whitacre+pdf
: Frequently shifts to suit the natural rhythm of the text, reducing the impact of the barline to maintain a fluid, dreamlike state. stephenlangemusic.com of a specific section or help finding authorized sheet music retailers? Sleep – Music Catalog - Eric Whitacre To save the music, Whitacre turned to his
"Sleep" by Eric Whitacre is widely considered one of the most significant works of contemporary choral literature. Originally written to a poem by Robert Frost and later adapted to lyrics by Charles Anthony Silvestri, the piece is a masterclass in tonal architecture and emotional suspension. Musical Analysis While the rhythms are simple, the intonation is
The music uses chromaticism and specific meter changes to reflect the natural rhythm of breathing and the transition into sleep.
The piece began as a musical setting of Robert Frost's famous poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" . After its successful premiere, Whitacre discovered that the Frost estate would not grant permission to publish the work due to copyright restrictions that wouldn't expire until 2038.