DCLXXXa. HAYDN, Franz Joseph: The Creation (Part I)

DCLXXXa. HAYDN, Franz Joseph (1732-1809)

The Creation (Part I) (1797-98)
Johanette Zomer, soprano
Marcel Beekman, tenor
André Morsch, baritone
Netherlands Chamber Choir
Concerto d'Amsterdam
Klaas Stok, cond.
(1:41:39)


The Creation in L'Antiquité Judaïque
(1460/1470)

The concert footage is combined with Hubble telescope images and paintings from Haydn's era.

**

Haydn was inspired by Handel -- particularly after hearing Israel In Egypt, and his use of tone painting.

Libretto by Gottfried van Swieten. 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.

Part I

No. 1

Die Vorstellung des Chaos (The Representation of Chaos)

Im Anfange schuf Gott Himmel und Erde (In the beginning God created Heaven and Earth) (Genesis 1:1-2)

Und der Geist Gottes schwebte (And the Spirit of God moved (Genesis 1:2-3)

Und Gott sah das Licht (And God saw the light) (Genesis 1:4)

No. 2

Nun schwanden vor dem heiligen Strahle (Now vanished by the holy beams)

Erstarrt entflieht der Höllengeister Schar (Affrighted fled hell's spirits)

Verzweiflung, Wut und Schrecken (Despairing, cursing rage)

No. 3

Und Gott machte das Firmament (And God made the firmament) (Genesis 1:6-7)

No. 4

Mit Staunen sieht das Wunderwerk (The marv'lous work beholds amazed)

No. 5

Und Gott sprach: Es sammle sich das Wasser (And God said let the waters) (Genesis 1:9-10)

No. 6

Rollen in schäumenden Wellen (Rolling in foaming billows)

No. 7

Und Gott sprach: Es bringe die Erde Gras hervor (And God said, Let all the earth bring forth grass) (Genesis 1:11)

No. 8

Nun beut die Flur das frische Grün (With verdure clad the fields appear delightful)

No. 9

Und die himmlischen Heerscharen verkündigten den dritten Tag (And the Heavenly host proclaimed the third day)

No. 10

Stimmt an die Saiten (Awake the harp)

No. 11

Und Gott sprach: Es sei'n Lichter an der Feste des Himmels (And God said: Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven (Genesis 1:14-16)

No. 12

In vollem Glanze steiget jetzt die Sonne strahlend auf (In splendour bright is rising now the sun)

Mit leisem Gang und sanftem Schimmer (With softer beams and milder light)

Den ausgedehnten Himmelsraum (The space immense of th'azure sky)

No. 13

Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes (The heavens are telling the glory of God) (Psalms 19:1)

Dem kommenden Tage sagt es der Tag (To day that is coming speaks it the day) (Psalms 19:2)

Die Himmel erzählen ... (The heavens are telling ...)

Dem kommenden Tage ... (To day that is coming ...)

Die Himmel erzählen ... (The heavens are telling ...)

Und seiner Hände Werk (The wonder of his works)

Part II