Eric Whitacre - Full Address 

+Alex G H Sansbury, and everyone else, I think we should bear in mind, first, that Eric got a late start and set his true musical course at an age about ten or so years older than most successful artists do. That means Eric will reach the peak of his creative genius at a period of much greater maturity than most of us. So, my guess is, he's just getting started. Second, I see in Eric a perfect illustration to explain how I understand the development of artists. I believe the developmental influences of most creative people, from musicians to entrepreneurs, can be grouped into two general categories roughly parallel with what can be very clearly seen, for instance, in the general difference between the old so-called northern and southern schools of Chinese painters. The northern school artists tended to be professional, often patronized, tradesmen conforming fundamentally, throughout their artistic lives, to the structured training of masters. For the most part, they tended to only personalize their art by exploring interesting but naturally occurring perspectives of reality. That’s a very rough and simplified definition but good enough for my purpose here. The southern school artists were typically scholars (thus often called “literati”) and were often aristocratic or otherwise free of constraint. They, of course, faithfully utilized basic artistic conventions but tended to be more introspective and self-expressive exploring unique ways to portray their relationship to reality instead of using only classical forms to exquisitely portray reality itself like the northern school. I see Eric Whitacre as being among those fortunate artists whose development is in the ongoing, balanced care of both influences. He has the passion and freedom of unfettered, creative expression of his inner life as well as his outward perspective. But his creative impulse is also shepherded and empowered by tools and influence continually gleaned from masters and other artists. That’s an ideal formula for potential. As moving, beautiful, and popular as Eric’s first 20 years of work has been, imagine what the next 20 will teach him and to what new directions his creativity will go!

He answered it honestly and brilliantly and made some great points of wisdom on how this type of pressure affected historical masters of composition - he's in a great place of clarity - can't wait to see what the future brings

The guy making the ridiculously insensitive comment himself is to be ashamed. Do people really have no filters?? Jealousy can rear its ugly head. Eric Whitacre is an artist who has found an ingenious way to reach people. That cant be said of many composers.

The truth is, I think, in my opinion, people who denounce Eric Whitaker and call his music "trashy" are probably jealous. Why is it that people who are financially successful and popular get denounced so much? Look at Steven Spielberg. Some people denounce his work. Absurd, stupid. Just because some people are very popular and successful doesn't mean that they can't also produce great work. I believe Eric Whitaker is a brilliant composer, his choral music is so spiritually uplifting for me. Look at Stravinsky. He was very financially successful, and a cool composer who left a big estate when he passed on.

treble damages?

@@crieverytim sounds like a joke... did he break some glass on this composition?

I have no idea what that means either

Figures. Some people have to condemn someone just because they're popular and doing well financially. They're probably just jealous. Look at history. Mozart liked to live in rich furnishings. He had servants and a nice house.

Exept he’s actually good

This deserves so many more likes

I was looking for this comment! I was taken aback by her boldness 🤣🤣🤣

I bet it's just bitter composers who are jealous lol.

Because it was planned long ago.

I imagine the RIP is just for Swayze - not Eric W correct?