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

Contents

Haydn: Oratorio "The Creation" (with Japanese commentary) Simon Rattle (conductor), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Crow, Bruns, Gerhaer, and others

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

[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 Chorus Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Sir Simon Rattle (Conductor)

Recorded: September 18-22, 2023 (Live) Munich, Hercules Saal

Total Running Time: 99 minutes

[A live recording of Rattle's inaugural concert as Principal Conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, featuring his signature piece, "The Creation"!] Simon Rattle succeeded Jansons as the sixth Principal Conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus from the 2023/24 season. The Creation, featured here, along with Mahler's Symphony No. 6, marked Rattle's launch into new territory, and was particularly significant as his first concert with the choir after taking over the position. Rattle specializes in Haydn's two oratorios, and recorded The Creation with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in 1990, a recording that remains one of the most representative performances by a contemporary orchestra. He also performed The Creation as the opening piece of his final season as principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, and it appears to be one of his "signature pieces" for milestone performances. Rattle describes the work's appeal as "grand choral, graceful melody, and supremely refined polyphony, all firmly rooted in an optimistic view of humanity." His approach, using period instruments for trumpets and trombones in the orchestra, fully conveys the work's grandeur and inclusiveness without attempting to captivate the ear with cutting-edge sound. While the recording with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra was in English, the German version is performed here. This oratorio, "The Creation," was composed between 1796 and 1798. Written at the request of impresario Salomon, the work's libretto is based on the first chapter of the Old Testament's Book of Genesis and Milton's Paradise Lost. Part 1 depicts the first four days of creation, with light emerging from chaos, angels dancing, and singing of the glory of God. Part 2 covers the fifth and sixth days. First, living creatures cover the earth and sky, and then humans are finally created. Part 3 then features these created humans, Adam and Eve, as they advance the story, culminating in a grand finale praising the Creator with a magnificent counterpoint chorus.

*The Japanese edition includes a Japanese commentary by Atsuya Funaki and bilingual lyrics.

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A live recording of Simon Rattle's inaugural concert as Principal Conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, featuring his signature piece, "The Creation"! (C)RS