Landesjugendchor Wien
Simon Erasimus direction
Arne Kircher violoncello
Matthias Krampe piano

Programme

Eric Whitacre

The Sacred Veil (Charles Anthony Silvestri, Julie Silvestri)

The Sacred Veil “The Sacred Veil” is a large-scale choral work by American composer Eric Whitacre, which premiered in 2019. Created in collaboration with poet Charles Anthony Silvestri, it is a deeply personal cycle about love, loss, and hope – inspired by the life and death of Silvestri’s wife, Julie. The work consists of twelve movements that follow a musically and emotionally dense narrative, tracing the journey from first encounters and shared moments of life to illness, farewell, and inner healing. Whitacre’s characteristic musical language – shimmering clusters, warm harmonies, and expansive melodic lines – enhances the intimate, almost spiritual impact of the text. Today, “The Sacred Veil” is considered one of Whitacre’s most poignant choral works and a touching meditation on human vulnerability and the power of memory.

Organised by the Landesjugendchor Wien. Admission: Suggested donation. Open seating, no reservations.