Eric Whitacre to come to England

Eric Whitacre will take up residence in Europe for three months in the autumn, allowing him to work with the London Symphony Orchestra and Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.

The American conductor, lecturer and composer will conduct the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in the world premiere of Songs of Immortality, his first large-scale piece for chorus and orchestra, at the Barbican in October. The programme will also include some of Whitacre’s a cappella choral and string orchestra works, as well as music by fellow Americans Morten Lauridsen, Samuel Barber and Aaron Copland.

Whitacre will also spend a term as Composer in Residence at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, where he has been awarded a Visiting Fellowship. He will compose a new work for Sidney Sussex Choir and work with other Cambridge college choirs, and will give lectures and masterclasses to the University.

Whitacre will be pursuing conducting and judging engagements across Europe, including a Christmas concert with the Rundfunkchor Berlin in Berlin Cathedral.