Haydn's oratorio The Creation was inspired by the Handelian oratorios he encountered during his two visits to London in the early 1790s.
Compositional Technique
Haydn's The Creation uses vivid 'word painting' to depict various creatures and natural phenomena, such as roaring lions, leaping tigers, and swarms of insects.
Critical Reception
The premiere of The Creation in Vienna in 1799 was so successful that one audience member claimed they would not have minded if it lasted three hours longer, despite the 'stink and sweat-bath'.
Interpretation
Haydn himself is believed to have preferred the English language version of The Creation for performances in English-speaking countries, a wish honored by this recording.
Composition History
Baron Gottfried van Swieten, an amateur music enthusiast and court librarian, commissioned The Creation and helped revise its libretto, which was originally intended for Handel.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Haydn described himself as never being so devout as when working on The Creation, praying daily for strength to complete it.
Notable Performances
The Handel and Haydn Society (H+H), America's oldest continuously performing arts organization, gave the first US performance of The Creation in 1819.
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