The Creation's libretto, despite being considered safe by government authorities, was criticized by some as having 'dangerous Masonic influences' and was banned from church performances in Vienna.
Cultural Impact
Following the Paris premiere of The Creation, Napoleon had a medal struck in honor of Haydn, the composer, after nearly being assassinated on his way to the theatre.
Compositional Technique
The oratorio opens with an 'extraordinary orchestral introduction' depicting chaos, which was considered the most modern music written up to that time, using chromatic harmonies and novel orchestration.
Notable Performances
The premiere of The Creation in Vienna in April 1798 was an unprecedented sensation, breaking all box office records and requiring foot police to control the crowd.
Composition History
Haydn's oratorio The Creation was commissioned by Baron Gottfried van Swieten, a musical connoisseur who also introduced Mozart and Haydn to works by Bach and Handel.
Recording & Production
This recording of Haydn's The Creation was produced and edited by Thomas C. Moore and recorded and mixed by Robert Friedrich, both of Five/Four Productions, Ltd.
Compositional Technique
Haydn's use of trombones and contrabassoon in The Creation was unusual for the time, with the contrabassoon being new to Vienna after Haydn heard it in London.
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