I am the proud owner of this recording and it has pride of place in my collection. There's a lot to say about this, so I will hopefully cover as much as I can!
HAYDN
Franz Joseph Haydn is the father of classical music in its true sense. He lived in Austria between 1732 and 1809, and invented ... Read review
Haydn: The Creation -
This classic performance of Haydn's greatest choral masterpiece was beloved tenor Fritz ... more
Wunderlich's last recording. He sings all of the arias, but he died before finishing the recitatives, which are here taken by Werner Krenn. The recording is, in add...
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A review by rwjkelly on Haydn: The Creation May 27th, 2006
Author's product rating:
Originality
Groundbreaking
Lyrics
Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
Excellent recording and product
Disadvantages:
Pricey - but very much worth every penny !
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I am the proud owner of this recording and it has pride of place in my collection. There's a lot to say about this, so I will hopefully cover as much as I can!
HAYDN Franz Joseph Haydn is the father of classical music in its true sense. He lived in Austria between 1732 and 1809, and invented the symphony and the string quartet. during his life, he composed over 100 symphonies, and dozens of other works, including concertos, string quartets, quintets, chamber music, masses and oratorios. Haydn was a religious person, and it may be because of this that his greatest works include masses and oratorios (religious themes set to music). There is so much to say about him, but more information can be found on various websites and books.
THE ORCHESTRA AND PERIOD MUSIC
The work is performed by the Academy of Ancient Music, a leading orchestra which performs music as it would have been heard at the time it was written. The Academy is over 40 years old, and is regarded as not just the finest period orchestra, but one of the finest orchestras of any type. They have produced many works for various record labels. Their website can be found at www.aam.co.uk. The instruments used either date from the time the music being played was written, or are replicas of such instruments. They're construction is a lot different from that of today (stringed instruments, for example, had the strings made from catgut, and not metal as it is now), and as a result, the sound produced is somewhat different to that of an orchestra using modern instruments. I can't really describe the sound, the first time I heard it, I hated it, but now I won't listen to anything that is not on period instruments! I suppose it is an acquired taste, but I think the sound is far superior to that of a modern orchestra.
THE WORK The Creation was first performed in 1798 in Vienna, and the work has not lost any significance in it's message over the two and a half centuries since. It is an oratorio, which is a religious work set to music, and it accounts the creation of the world as described in Genesis. We start off with Chaos, before the creation, and proceed to the 6 days in which God created light, the heavens, weather, grass, creatures and beasts, the stars and finally man. The story is told by three angels, Gabriel (Emma Kirkby, who also sings the part of Eve), Raphael (Michael George, who also plays Adam) and Uriel (Anthony Johnstone). Each point of creation starts by one of the angels describing what is to come in the form of a libretto and continuo (a musical speech with a piano accompaniment). After this, a description of the act in question (the creation of light, or beasts for example), is depicted with an aria, and the end of each day is rounded with a chorus. Haydn does a splendid job of painting a picture with music, and there is something in this work to please everyone, due to the vast variety of moods and feelings created. Chaos, for example, is played ever so quietly, and then at the creation of light.....well, I won't spoil it! We here drums being bashed to represent thunder; delicate woodwind for the creation of fauna and a vast choir that sings triumphantly to praise the work of God. Towards the end, we come to Adam and Eve, their joy at being created and paired together and their thanks to God. Before the magnificent final chorus (through which the instruments must have had a good thrashing), we here a warning from Uriel about conceit and there being "more to know than know ye should" - a reference to sin (The Apple in the Garden of Eden), and probably relevant to human nature now. My favourite include the creation of light, the stars, and the creation of man (i dare anyone with a heart not to have at leats get a lump in their throat!). Listen and see! Despite it being a religious work, you do not have to be religious to listen or appreciate it, the majesty of the work should play out over any atheist inklings! (I am atheist by the way!).
THE DISC The work is a two disc box set, beautifully presented in a cardboard outer casing. It comes complete with an informatio booklet (82 pages - but it is in French, German, Italian and English). the book gives a concise history of the work and the composer, and also provides a libretto (so you can read what is being sung), photgraphs of the orchestra and key players and even a plan of the orchestra layout!
I would recommend this CD to serious collectors, but some may be put off by the price (I paid £35 for mine in the high street, though I am sure it can be bought cheaper online), and that it is on period instruments. If you haven't heard a period orchestra before, then buy a cheap CD of one (a famous high street store will help you) and see if it's for you - or make sure that the shop has a refund policy just in case. Whatever you do, don't judge it on one hearing - so much of this has grown on me and I always hear things on each playing that I never heard before. A must for any collector!
Advantages: An amazing CD Disadvantages: Sorry there arent any!
...of emotional warmth and comfort. A tenor soloist sings out with clarity and purity, imploring for his prayer to be heard, the strings continue softly, admirably backing his voice. At first he is alone but then the remaining tenor and the baritone step in to accompany him. During the course of the prayer the Irish Film Orchestra add to each crescendo to create a haunting melody. Throughout the prayer the tenors plaintive cry can still be heard above the swelling and immaculate harmony.
The whole prayer ends as it begins with the light soft strings dancing like feathers up and down the scales.
** Mit Wurd Und Hoheit Angetan**
Quite a fitting piece of music for the second track this is an excerpt from Haydn's Creation, `Die Schopfung`
In religious terms The Creation refers to the beginning and Haydn's masterpiece written in the late 1700...
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Advantages: Exciting and moving performance, fine singers, orchestra and conductor Disadvantages: None really
...-excited exuberance of a puppy that has treed its first cat!
Background:
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) enjoyed a prolific and highly successful career composing in a wide variety of genres from opera to piano sonatas and is widely regarded to have fine-tuned the Classical Style in his string quartets and symphonies. When Haydn started composing "Die Schoepfung" (The Creation in English) in 1786 he had returned to Vienna after a highly successful time in England where his music was feted by everyone from the King downwards. He was now at the height of his powers, with a doctorate from Oxford University in his pocket and was certainly very aware of the commercial value of his music having made a substantial amount of money in England.
From the copious archived documentation, we can read that Haydn felt there was nothing more he could say in...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Every sacred music by Mozart in 1 boxset Disadvantages: Not the best available
...-executed performances. (for more details on period music - see my review on Haydn's Creation).
The Works:
There are over 3 dozen works here, so I won't mention them all.
The Requiem is quite different to most other recordings I have heard. The Dies Irea (played and imitated in god knows how many films) is taken quite slowly, a change from the usual bash-it-out-as-loud-and-quickly-as-possible approach that other orchestras follow, and the Hostias is very well performed. The Sanctus is played as grandly as ever, whilst the Benedictus is sublime.
Great Mass
The Gloria as to be heard to be believed - i have never heard it performed in the manner performed here. It takes your breath away! The choir literally shout it all out at the top of their voices with particular emphasis on the word "excelsis".
Coronation Mass
The Agnus Dei solo is sung...
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Mozart 250th Anniversary Edition - Complete Sacred Works
Product details
Title: Haydn: The Creation
Composer: (Franz) Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809)
Main Performer: Anthony Rolfe Johnson (Tenor); Emma Kirkby (Soprano); Michael George (Bass)
Orchestra / Ensemble(s): Academy of Ancient Music Chorus; New College Choir, Oxford; Academy of Ancient Music Orchestra
Date of Release: 11/1990
Label / Distributor: L'Oiseau-Lyre / Universal Manufacturing and Logistics
Pieces in Set: 2
Running Time: 2 hours 39 minutes
Genre(s): Vocal and choral
Producer: Peter Wadland
SPAR Code: DDD
EAN: 28943039727
Catalogue Number: 430
Work 1
Work Title: (The) Creation, HobXXI/2
Excerpt(s): 1. PART 1 - The Representation of Chaos 2. In the beginning; Now vanish before the holy beams 3. And God made the firmament 4. The marv'lous work beholds amazed 20. And God said 6. Rolling in foaming billows 8. With verdure clad 9. And the heavenly hosts 10. Awake the harp 12. In splendour bright 13. The heavens are telling 14. PART 2 - And God said 15. On mighty pens uplifted 16. And God created great whales 17. And the angels struck 18. Most beautiful appear 19. The Lord is great 21. Straight opening her fertile womb 22. Now heaven in fullest glory shone 23. And God created man in His own image 24. In native worth 25. And God saw everything 28. Achieved is the glorious work 27. On Thee each living soul awaits 29. PART 3 - In rosy mantle appears 30. By Thee with bliss, o bounteous Lord 31. Our duty we performed now 32. Graceful consort! 33. O happy pair 34. Sing the Lord ye voices all
Composer: (Franz) Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809)
Genre: Vocal & Choral
Date Written: 1796-8
Date Recorded: 1990
Conductor: Christopher Hogwood
Orchestra / Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music Orchestra
Orchestra / Ensemble: New College Choir, Oxford
Orchestra / Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music Chorus
Main Performer: Anthony Rolfe Johnson (Tenor), Emma Kirkby (Soprano), Michael George (Bass)
Opera Part(s): Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Emma Kirkby, Michael George
Location of Work Recording: Walthamstow Assembly Hall
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