The Creation (German: Die Schöpfung) is an oratorio and is considered by many to be one of Haydn's masterpieces. It was inspired by Haydn's London trips where he heard Handel's oratorios performed.
The oratorio depicts and celebrates the creation of the world as described in the Book of Genesis.
The libretto was written by Gottfried van Swieten. The work is structured in three parts and scored for soprano, tenor and bass soloists, chorus and a symphonic orchestra. In parts I and II, depicting
the creation, the soloists represent the archangels Raphael (bass), Uriel (tenor) and Gabriel (soprano).
In part III, the bass and soprano represent Adam and Eve. The text was written in both German and
English for popularity in London and Vienna.
The Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood, conductor.
(Play the first 20 minutes)
The Representation of Chaos
"In the beginning the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep:
and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."
For the first seven minutes, Haydn represents formlessness with orchestra music of vague tonalities (the listener is uncertain what key the music is in). Once God says "and let there be light and there was light" Haydn produces a loud C major chord using the whole orchestra. The "darkness to light" idea was representative of Enlightenment thinking. Beethoven would exploit this in his works (e.g. the final movement of the 5th symphony which shifts from c minor to C major).
There are some final examples of late Haydn orchestra writing besides the opening seven minutes. Notice the orchestra writing in Day 3 in the part about the water...
For the first seven minutes, Haydn represents formlessness with orchestra music of vague tonalities (the listener is uncertain what key the music is in). Once God says "and let there be light and there was light" Haydn produces a loud C major chord using the whole orchestra. The "darkness to light" idea was representative of Enlightenment thinking. Beethoven would exploit this in his works (e.g. the final movement of the 5th symphony which shifts from c minor to C major).
There are some final examples of late Haydn orchestra writing besides the opening seven minutes. Notice the orchestra writing in Day 3 in the part about the water...
| Day 1 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Im Anfange schuf Gott Himmel und Erde | Recitative | Bass | C minor |  | Gen 1:1–2 | In the beginning God created Heaven and Earth | |
| Und der Geist Gottes schwebte[n 1] | Chorus | Gen 1:2–3 | And the Spirit of God moved | |||||
| Und Gott sah das Licht | Recitative | Tenor | C major | Gen 1:4 | And God saw the light | |||
| 2 | Nun schwanden vor dem heiligen Strahle | Aria | Tenor | A major | Andante | | Now vanished by the holy beams | |
| Erstarrt entflieht der Höllengeister Schar | Allegro moderato | Affrighted fled hell's spirits | ||||||
| Verzweiflung, Wut und Schrecken | Chorus, fugue | Desparing, cursing rage | ||||||
| Day 2 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Und Gott machte das Firmament | Recitative secco | Bass | | Gen 1:6–7 | And God made the firmament | ||
| 4 | Mit Staunen sieht das Wunderwerk | Solo with chorus | Soprano | C major | Allegro moderato | | The marv'lous work beholds amazed | |
| Day 3 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Und Gott sprach: Es sammle sich das Wasser | Recitative secco | Bass | | Gen 1:9–10 | And God said let the waters | ||
| 6 | Rollend in schäumenden Wellen | Aria | Bass | D minor | Allegro assai | | Rolling in foaming billows | |
| 7 | Und Gott sprach: Es bringe die Erde Gras hervor | Recitative secco | Soprano | | Gen 1:11 | And God said, Let all the earth bring forth grass | ||
| 8 | Nun beut die Flur das frische Grün | Aria | Soprano | B-flat major | Andante | 6/8 | With verdure clad the fields appear delightful | |
| 9 | Und die himmlischen Heerscharen verkündigten den dritten Tag | Recitative secco | Tenor | | And the Heavenly host proclaimed the third day | |||
| 10 | Stimmt an die Saiten | Chorus | D major | Vivace | | Awake the harp | ||
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