As with all of Whitacre's compositions, each chord, each beat even, have so much emotion behind it. The way he uses discords and dissonance fits each word and phrase as a whole. The psychological and physical aspects of trying to fall asleep (in the most literal sense) when you can't is shown through the chords and reflected in the words. The climax, and building to it, for example, have the floodgates opened in the music and voices, but also can be as in one's mind as they begin to dream:
"Then I surrender unto sleep
Where clouds of dreams give second sight
What dreams may come both dark and deep"
And by then you can feel the climax coming on, as you can sleep.
"Of flying wings and soaring leap
As I surrender unto sleep"
And you have this glorious flowing melody that molds itself into a soothing and relaxing lullaby as if one is really asleep.
Another good example of this emotional composition is from "When David Heard," a song based from the Bible in 2 Samuel when King David's son, Absalom, dies. You can almost feel the grief and anguish, sorrow and agony and utter discomfort building within David's head, until it bursts out with remorse. All of this is underlined in the tone and stress of each and everyone of these beautifully coordinated chords.
As with all of Whitacre's compositions, each chord, each beat even, have so much emotion behind it. The way he uses discords and dissonance fits each word and phrase as a whole. The psychological and physical aspects of trying to fall asleep (in the most literal sense) when you can't is shown through the chords and reflected in the words. The climax, and building to it, for example, have the floodgates opened in the music and voices, but also can be as in one's mind as they begin to dream:
"Then I surrender unto sleep
Where clouds of dreams give second sight
What dreams may come both dark and deep"
And by then you can feel the climax coming on, as you can sleep.
"Of flying wings and soaring leap
As I surrender unto sleep"
And you have this glorious flowing melody that molds itself into a soothing and relaxing lullaby as if one is really asleep.
Another good example of this emotional composition is from "When David Heard," a song based from the Bible in 2 Samuel when King David's son, Absalom, dies. You can almost feel the grief and anguish, sorrow and agony and utter discomfort building within David's head, until it bursts out with remorse. All of this is underlined in the tone and stress of each and everyone of these beautifully coordinated chords.