Composer Eric Whitacre and his collaborators offer up a really interesting hybrid of the virtual and the real in the Virtual Choir, combining 185 separate choristers from 12 countries recorded independently, all conducted by the composer (through a prerecorded conductor track on YouTube) and combined into a single performance. Whitacre posted the announcement and instructions for the project back in July.
Sure, it’s not the same as a single ensemble in a common space shared with its audience. But it’s also a performance that couldn’t exist in this way without the technology. Well worth a watch and a listen.
Awesome out-of-the-box concept from one of my fave choral composers!
There’s almost more echo than voice. But I’d love to learn more about how they practiced and then recorded this. Neat! However it’s an odd feeling to look at a recording produced to be listened to but without an intended audience, and without all the other benefits we have in live or studio recordings. Kind of like a CD recording but without the benefits of live performers feeling each other’s presence, trying to blend as they sing so as to create a great total result. I’m not sure what the music making goal is then. Is it all in “gosh, we made it through!”?
Joan
Here is Eric Whitacre’s blog. The latest entry is his description of the whole process.
http://ericwhitacre.wordpress.com/