American composer Eric Whitacre has signed to Decca on what is described as an “exclusive, long-term recording contract”.

His debut album for the label, “Light & Gold”, will be recorded in August, and will feature Whitacre conducting choral works including three world premieres. It is due for release on October 18.

Best known for his choral music, Whitacre’s style is renowned for being at once contemporary and accessible. His approach to engaging audiences as widely as possible has also been noted, not least his virtual, online choir, which drew on 185 singers from around the world to perform one of his works, “Lux Aurumque”. The YouTube clip has attracted over 950,000 views.

Commenting on the signing, Whitacre said: “I appreciate the respect that the team at Decca holds for me as one of their 'core classical' artists. Importantly, we have a shared vision, drive and passion to develop the extraordinarily wonderful opportunities that technology offers to our world.”

Dickon Stainer, managing director of Decca, said “Eric Whitacre writes music of luminous beauty. Decca shares his vision to reinvent classical music for a new digital generation.”