Haydn: Oratorio "The Creation" (with Japanese Commentary)

Product Description

Haydn: Oratorio "The Creation" (with Japanese commentary) Simon Rattle (conductor), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Crowe, Bruns, Gerhaer, et al.

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): Oratorio "The Creation" Hob. XXI:2 (sung in German)

[CD1] 1-14. Part 1 [CD2] 1-12. Part 2 13-18. Part 3

Gabriel/Eva…Lucy Crowe (Soprano) Uriel…Benjamin Bruns (Tenor) Raphael/Adam…Christian Gerhaer (Bass-Baritone)

Bavarian Radio Choir Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Sir Simon Rattle (Conductor)

Recording: September 18-22, 2023 (Live) Munich, Hercules Hall

Total Running Time: 99 minutes

[A live recording of Rattle's inaugural concert as Principal Conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra & Choir, featuring his signature piece, "The Creation"!] Simon Rattle succeeded Jansons as the 6th Principal Conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra & Choir from the 2023/24 season. The "Creation" featured here, along with Mahler's Symphony No. 6 released earlier, was part of the program that marked Rattle's debut in his new venture, and was particularly important as it was his first concert with the chorus after taking on the role. Rattle excels at Haydn's two oratorios, and he recorded "The Creation" with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in 1990, which is still considered one of the representative performances by a modern orchestra. He also chose "The Creation" to perform at the opening of his final season as principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, suggesting that it is one of his "signature pieces" that he chooses to perform at significant junctures. Rattle describes the appeal of this piece as follows: "The magnificent chorus, the graceful melodies, the highly refined polyphony—all are firmly rooted in an optimistic view of humanity." His approach, using period instruments for the trumpets and trombones in the orchestra, does not try to attract the ear with a sharp sound, but rather fully conveys the grandeur and inclusiveness of the work. The recording with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra was in English, but this performance is in German.

This oratorio, "The Creation," composed between 1796 and 1798, was commissioned by impresario Salomon and uses a libretto based on the first chapter of the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament and Milton's "Paradise Lost." Part 1 depicts the first four days of creation, where light emerges from chaos, angels dance, and the glory of God is sung. Part 2 covers the fifth and sixth days. First, living creatures cover the earth and sky, and then humans are finally created. Part 3 features Adam and Eve as the main characters, driving the story forward, culminating in a grand finale with a magnificent chorus using counterpoint to praise the Creator.

*The domestic version includes Japanese liner notes by Atsuya Funaki and a translation of the lyrics.

Media Reviews and More

A live recording of Rattle's inaugural concert as principal conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, featuring his signature piece, "The Creation," is now available! (C)RS