Whitacre – Animal Crackers (2008)

Eric Whitacre, born in 1970, has become a prominent figure in contemporary choral music, renowned for his innovative compositions and arrangements. His unique ability to blend modern compositional techniques with emotive lyricism has garnered international acclaim, making him a significant voice in the 21st-century choral landscape.

“Animal Crackers,” a collection of whimsical choral settings composed by Whitacre in 1997, showcases his versatility and playful creativity. Each piece within the collection adapts the humorous and imaginative poetry of Ogden Nash into delightful vocal miniatures. In the context of his contemporaries, Whitacre’s “Animal Crackers” reveals a fusion of contemporary choral aesthetics with a nod to the wit and charm found in the madrigals of the Renaissance.