| HAYDN - CREATION:
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) composed his oratorio, The Creation, late in his career, between 1796 and 1798. While this piece is generally considered to be an example of Enlightenment music and many Enlightenment writers doubted established religion, Haydn himself was a devoted Christian.
Greatly influenced by Handel’s Messiah and the great reception he saw it receive from the large English middle class audiences, Haydn desired to compose a comparable piece of work. A friend of Haydn picked up the Bible and said, “Take that and begin from the beginning.” Hence, The Creation was born.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
1740: Alaska discovered by a Russian employed Dane, Captain Vitus Bering
1781: Uranus discovered by William Herschel, England
1783: Revolutionary War ends with Treaty of Paris
1796: Napoleon Bonaparte, French general, defeats Austrians
1798: Haydn’s The Creation finished
Haydn’s parents urged him to become a priest, and at one point he even agreed to it. But he later decided that God’s call on his life did not require him to enter the priesthood but rather training and fully developing his amazing musical abilities. One day Haydn wrote, “I know that God has favoured me, and recognise it thankfully. I also believe that I have done my duty and have been of use to the world through my works. Let others do the same!”
Sometimes criticised for being overly jubilant by some of the more puritanical members of the church, he once said, “Since God has given me a cheerful heart, He will forgive me for serving Him cheerfully.”
When the Emperor of Austria once asked Haydn which of his works he held in greatest esteem, Haydn replied “The Creation, because in it the angels speak and tell of God.” He said he wrote the oratorio to inspire “the adoration and worship of the Creator,” and to put the listener “in a frame of mind where he is most susceptible to the kindness and omnipotence of the Creator.”
The result of almost two years work during 1797/8 Haydn said he was taking a long time “Because I intend it to last for a long time”. He told a friend that he was never so religious as during the composition - “Daily I fell on my knees and asked God for strength”. At a public performance in 1808 at the C major illumination of the words “And there was light” he declared “it was not I but a Power above who created that!”
The libretto, originally in English, is based on the biblical creation account in Genesis and on John Milton's religious epic poem “Paradise Lost” (1674). The book of Genesis was used mainly for the narrative passages of the angels, and various psalm texts (especially 19, 104 and 199) for the anthems and choruses.
The Creation explodes with the creation of light (in Part I) which is central to the work, but its climax is the creation of Man, in Adam and Eve at the end of Part II and within Part III.
CREDITS
Fairfield County Chorale
Soprano: Brenda Harris
Tenor: Carl Halvorson
Bass: John Cheek
Conductor: Johannes Somary
Period instruments: Amor Artis Orchestra
Producer: John Ostendorf
Executive Producers: Richard Martin & Peter Sternberg
Compilation Producer: Eric Wyse
(P) & © MMIII Classic Fox Records
www.foxrecords.co.uk
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MASTERWORKS OF WORSHIP SERIES
Classical music can be a most exhilarating and satisfying sensory experience. However you uncover the gems of classical masterpieces, whether on a recording or in a live concert, the genius of the composer, as well as the emotional and spiritual underpinings all contribute to the uniqueness of each piece.
For Christians there is an added bonus to listening to much of this kind of music, since it was, in fact the praise and worship music of its time. This was the music that came out of the church, written to encourage and inspire believers to turn their attention toward the Kingdom of Heaven. Have you ever listened to a passage of classical music and felt something spiritual, that you couldn’t put your finger on? Many of these composers lived lives that were intensely spiritual, and used their music as a way to communicate their faith. Sounds like the contemporary Christian music scene of today, doesn’t it?
The Masterworks of Worship collection is an opportunity for you to sink into some of the greatest sacred classical masterpieces ever composed. You may have heard some of the music before, but perhaps you’ve never taken the time to find out what they were really saying in the lyrics. Here is a chance for you to pump new life into your daily worship through an inspirational connection with the classics as you find that these composers have put into words the thoughts you’ve only had in your heart.
The following notes provide an insight to each composer and their work. Wherever possible lyric translations have been included for pieces performed in languages other than English - a resource which we hope will provide you with the greatest possible understanding, enjoyment and appreciation of these celebrated classics.
TITLES AVAILABLE IN THE SERIES:
MASTERWORKS OF WORSHIP VOLUME 1
1. Handel - MESSIAH (Highlights)
2. Mozart - CORONATION MASS
3. Brahms - REQUIEM
4. GREAT CHORUSES (With Full Orchestra)
MASTERWORKS OF WORSHIP VOLUME 2
1. Bach - ST. JOHN’S PASSION (Highlights)
2. Vivaldi - GLORIAS
3. Haydn - CREATION (Highlights)
4. GREGORIAN CHANT
MASTERWORKS OF WORSHIP VOLUME 3
1. Beethoven - MISSA SOLEMNIS
2. GREAT INSTRUMENTALS
3. Rachmaninov - VESPERS
4. Stainer - CRUCIFIXION
Produced by Eric Wyse
Executive Producers: Peter Sternberg & Richard Martin
(P) & © MMIII Classic Fox Records
www.foxrecords.co.uk |
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