Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn
Performer: Sarah Tynan, Jeremy Ovenden, Matthew Brook
Orchestra: Handel and Haydn Society
Conductor: Harry Christophers
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Coro
Catalogue: COR16135
Release: 2015
Size: 1.75 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
The Creation, Hob.XXI:2
CD 01
01. Pt. 1, The Representation of Chaos
02. Pt. 1, In the Beginning
03. Pt. 1, Now Vanish Before the Holy Beams
04. Pt. 1, And God Made the Firmament
05. Pt. 1, The Marv’llous Work Beholds
06. Pt. 1, And God said: Let the Waters
07. Pt. 1, Rolling in Foaming Billows
08. Pt. 1, And God said: Let the Earth
09. Pt. 1, With Verdure Clad the Fields Appear Delightful
10. Pt. 1, And the Heavenly Host Proclaimed
11. Pt. 1, Awake the Harp, the Lyre Awake!
12. Pt. 1, And God said: Let There be Lights
13. Pt. 1, In Splendor Bright is Rising Now
14. Pt. 1, The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God
15. Pt. 2, And God said: Let the Waters
16. Pt. 2, On Mighty Pens Uplifted
17. Pt. 2, And God Created Great Whales
18. Pt. 2, And the Angels Struck their Immortal Harps
19. Pt. 2, Most Beautiful Appear
CD 02
01. Pt. 2, And God said: Let the Earth
02. Pt. 2, Strait Opening her Fertile Womb
03. Pt. 2, Now Heav’n in Fullest Glory Shone
04. Pt. 2, And God Created Man in His Own Image
05. Pt. 2, In Native Worth and Honour Clad
06. Pt. 2, And God Saw Ev’rything That He Had Made
07. Pt. 2, Achieved is the Glorious Work
08. Pt. 3, In Rosy Mantle Appears
09. Pt. 3, By Thee with Bliss
10. Pt. 3, Our Duty We Have Now Performed
11. Pt. 3, Graceful Consort!
12. Pt. 3, O Happy Pair
13. Pt. 3, Praise the Lord, Ye Voices All!
Inspired by Haydn’s trips to England, where he first heard Handel’s oratorios, The Creation is widely considered Haydn’s crowning masterpiece. Set for three vocal soloists, four-part chorus, and a large Classical orchestra, there seems little doubt that Haydn wanted a big sound (by the standard of his day) for this work. Based on both the biblical Book of Genesis and Milton’s Paradise Lost, the oratorio was premiered in the US by the Handel and Haydn Society in 1819. Harry Christophers says: “Haydn’s music is always a joy to perform but with The Creation he excels himself allowing soloists, chorus and period orchestra to revel in vivid word painting, both vocal and instrumental. Can there be a more consistently happy work than The Creation? Feel free to smile at his genius.”
Handel and Haydn Society is America’s oldest continuously operating arts organisation. Its Bicentennial celebration began with the 2014-2015 Season and continues into the 2015-2016 Season. Harry Christophers has been Artistic Director since 2008.