Elevation (Mixed Voices): Choral Octavo

Ešenvalds brings the same harmonic subtlety and emotional intelligence to this work that earned him a place in the choral canon. The double choir writing allows for rich textural possibilities without overwhelming singers, and the commission history gives your students a tangible connection to a living composer and a meaningful conducting legacy.

Ešenvalds' harmonic language creates an atmosphere of quiet intensity and spaciousness. The double choir texture allows moments of luminescence as the two groups weave together, creating a sense of elevation that feels both contemplative and affirming.

Choirs with at least some experience balancing complex harmonies and managing divided sections will get the most from this work. The double choir writing makes it ideal for larger, more established ensembles or for programs where you want to showcase your singers' ability to hold independent lines.

• Balance the two choirs as equal partners rather than treating one as primary and one as secondary; this creates the luminous quality the double choir texture demands.
• Listen closely to how the inner voices move; Ešenvalds writes motivic material throughout the texture, not just in the top line.
• Explore tempos that allow the harmonic changes to register clearly without feeling rushed, especially if there are slower sections that require sustained tone.
• Consider staging options that separate the two choirs spatially, which can amplify the textural interplay and create acoustic richness.

This work functions beautifully as a centerpiece for a concert exploring contemporary choral writing or as a memorial or tribute program piece given its commissioning context. Its spiritual character also makes it suitable for concerts that blend sacred and secular themes.

• Maintaining independence while blending with a second choir
• Understanding modern harmonic language and voice leading across multiple voice parts
• Sustaining focused tone through complex chord changes
• Responding to subtle conducting gestures that coordinate two independent groups