Polyphony & Stephen Layton: Eric Whitacre – Cloudburst & Choral Works

American composer Eric Whitacre is famous for his signature cluster chords, where adjacent vocal harmonies shimmer and rub together before resolving into radiant warm consonances. Stephen Layton and his elite London choir Polyphony give pieces like Sleep and Lux Aurumque unmatched warmth and luminous blend. On the dramatic title track Cloudburst, the singers clap, snap fingers, and whisper to simulate an approaching desert rainstorm, showcasing the expressive range of unaccompanied voices.