BaL 6.01.24 - Haydn: The Creation

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

10.30 am
Jeremy Summerly chooses his favourite recording of Joseph Haydn’s The Creation.

Haydn’s The Creation was his late, great response at the end of the 18th century to hearing large-scale performances of Handel’s oratorios in London. Through rousing choruses, tuneful solo numbers and often spectacular orchestration it tells the Biblical creation story, beginning with God’s reorganisation of chaos and ending with Adam and Eve, happy in the prelapsarian Garden of Eden.

To begin with, The Creation was an instant hit in England and on the Continent. However, outside Austria, as the 19th century progressed, the charms of its musical representations of nature – roaring lions, cooing doves, buzzing insects, bleating sheep and the like – began to pall (Berlioz famously declared that hearing The Creation made him want to murder someone). But now Haydn has had the last laugh and The Creation has long-been a staple of amateur choral societies and professional performers, with an extensive recorded catalogue.

Available versions:-

Anna Lucia Richter, Maximilian Schmitt, Florian Boesch, Il Giardino Armonico, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Giovanni Antonini

Edith Mathis, Christoph Prégardien, Harald Stamm, Pécs Chamber Choir, Hungary, Chamber Choir of the Berlin Academy of Arts, Shin-yu Kai Choir, Japan, World Symphony Orchestra, Moshe Atzmon

Michael Volle, Christian Elsner, Teresa Seidl, Cracow Philharmonic Chorus, Cracow Philharmonic Orchestra, Roland Bader *

Thomas Moser, Lucia Popp, Judith Blegen, Kurt Moll, Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Leonard Bernstein *

Judith Raskin, Frederica von Stade, Alexander Young, John Reardon, Judith Blegen, Kenneth Riegel, Simon Estes, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein *

Milah Persson, Topi Lehtipuu, David Wilson-Johnson, Salzburger Bachchoir & Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, Ivor Bolton (SACD)

Eike Wilm Schulte, Luba Orgonasova, John Mark Ainsley, Coro Gulbenkian, Orchestra of the 18th Century, Frans Brüggen *

Genia Kühmeier, Toby Spence, Dietrich Henschel, Sophie Karthäuser & Markus Werba, Les Arts Florissants, William Christie *

Sarah Tynan, Jeremy Ovenden, Matthew Brook, Handel and Haydn Society, Harry Christophers

Sally Matthews, Ian Bostridge, Dietrich Henschel, London Symphony Chorus & London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis (SACD)

Lucia Popp, Werner Hollweg, Kurt Moll, Helena Dose, Benjamin Luxon, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Antal Dorati *

Mari Eriksmoen, Martin Mitterrutzner, Daniel Schmutzhard ,Insula Orchestra, Accentus, La Fura dels Baus, Laurence Equilbey (DVD/Blu-ray)

Elisabeth Grummer, Josef Traxel, Gottlob Frick, Der Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin & Die Berliner Symphoniker, Karl Forster *

Sylvia McNair, Michael Schade, Gerald Finley, Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner

Helen Donath, Adalbert Kraus, Kurt Widmer, Süddeutsches Madrigal Choir, Ludwigsburger Festspiele Orchestra, Wolfgang Gönnenwein

Malin Hartelius, Lothar Odinius, Anton Scharinger, Saarbrucken Radio Symphony Orchestra, Neubeuern Choral Society, Enoch zu Guttenberg

Camilla Tilling, Mark Padmore, Hanno Müller-Brachmann, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Bernard Haitink

Dorothea Röschmann, Kurt Streit, Anthony Michaels-Moore, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Nikolaus Harnoncourt

Simone Kermes, Dorothee Mields, Steve Davislim, Johannes Mannov, Locky Chung, Balthasar-Neumann Chor & Ensemble, Thomas Hengelbrock

Christina Landshamer, Maximilian Schmitt, Rudolf Rosen, Collegium Vocale Gent & Orchestre des Champs-Élysées, Philippe Herreweghe

Mhairi Lawson, Rufus Müller, David Stout, Oxford Philomusica, Choir of New College Oxford, Edward Higginbottom *

Emma Kirkby, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Michael George, Academy of Ancient Music Orchestra & Chorus, Choir of New College Oxford, Christopher Hogwood *

Mimi Coertse, Julius Patzak, Dezso Ernster, Symphonieorchester der Volksoper Wien, Wiener Singverein, Jascha Horenstein *

Julia Kleiter, Maximilian Schmitt, Johannes Weisser, Freiburger Barockorchester & RIAS Kammerchor, René Jacobs *

Waldemar Kmentt, Agnes Giebel, Gottlob Frick, Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Eugen Jochum

Irmgard Seefried, Walther Ludwig, Hans Hotter, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Eugen Jochum *

Gundula Janowitz, Christa Ludwig, Fritz Wunderlich, Werner Krenn, Walter Berry, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Wiener Singverein & Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan

Edith Mathis, Ann Murray, Francisco Araiza, José van Dam, Wiener Singverein & Wiener Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan *

Gundula Janowitz, Fritz Wunderlich, Kim Borg, Hermann Prey, Wiener Philharmoniker, Singverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde Wien, Herbert von Karajan *

Annelies Kupper, Josef Traxel, Josef Greindl, Kathe Kraus, Walter Berry, Kölner Rundfunk Orchester & Choir Cologne, Joseph Keilberth

Peter Schreier, Theo Adam, Heidi Riess, Regina Werner, Berlin Radio Choir, Berlin Radio Soloists, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Helmut Koch

Trude Eipperle, Julius Patzak, Georg Hann, Philharmonia Choir Vienna, Wiener Philharmoniker, Clemens Krauss

Teresa Stich-Randall, Petre Muntaneanu, Frederick Guthrie Kim Borg, Coro e Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma Della Rai, Rafael Kubelik *

Margaret Marshall, Lucia Popp, Vinson Cole, Bernd Weikl, Gwynne Howell, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Rafael Kubelík *

Philippe Huttenlocher, Krisztina Laki, Neil Mackie, La Petite Bande, Collegium Vocale Gent, Sigiswald Kuijken

Kathleen Battle, Gösta Winbergh, Kurt Moll, Rundfunkchor Stockholm, Stockholmer Kammerchor & Berliner Philharmoniker, James Levine *

Sandrine Piau, Miah Persson, Ruth Massey), Mak Padmore, Neal Davies, Peter Harvey, Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players & Chetham’s Chamber Choir, Paul McCreesh *

Irmgard Seefried, Kim Borg, Richard Holm, Berliner Philharmoniker, Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale, Igor Markevitch

Barbara Bonney, Edith Wiens, Hans Peter Blochwitz, Jan-Hendrik Rootering, Olaf Bär, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR, Südfunk-Chor, Sir Neville Marriner *

Max Emanuel Cencic, Christian Bauer, Ernst Jankowitsch, Gertraud Schmid, Vienna Boys Choir, Chorus Viennensis, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra, Peter Marschik

Hanna-Elisabeth Müller, Maximilian Schmitt Michael Volle, Orchestra e Coro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Zubin Mehta

Hanna-Elisabeth Müller, Maximilian Schmitt Michael Volle, Orchestra e Coro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Zubin Mehta (DVD)

Mojca Erdmann, Dmitry Korchak, René Pape, Philharmonischer Chor Münchnen, Münchner Philharmoniker, Zubin Mehta

Werner Krenn, Elly Ameling, Tom Krause, Wiener Staatsoper, Wiener Philharmoniker, Karl Münchinger *

Lucia Popp, Francisco Araiza, Samuel Ramey, Olaf Bär, Iris Vermillion, Wiener Philharmoniker & Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor, Riccardo Muti (DVD)

Christiane Oelze, Scot Weir, Peter Lika, RIAS Kammerchor & The Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Sir Roger Norrington *

Nicole Heaston, Toby Spence, Peter Rose, Houston Symphony Chorus, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Andres Orozco-Estrada (SACD)

Amanda Forsythe, , Keith Jameson, Kevin Deas, Boston Baroque, Martin Pearlman (SACD)

Katharina Konradi, Julian Habermann, Tobias Berndt, Gaechinger Cantorey, Hans-Christoph Rademann

Arleen Augér Philip Langridge, David Thomas, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Simon Rattle *

Lynne Dawson, Neil Rosenshein, John Cheek, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Chorale, John Revzen *

Karl Christian Kohn, Werner Hollweg, Elisabeth Speiser, Bayerisches Staatsorchester, Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper, Karl Richter

Christiane Schäfer, Michael Schade, Andreas Schmidt, Gächinger Kantorei, Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, Helmuth Rilling

Jochen Schmeckenbecher, Maximilian Schmitt, Christina Landshamer, RIAS Kammerchor Berlin, Yutaka Sado *

eree Suh, Tilman Lichdi, Matthias Winckhler, La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Le Concert des Nations, Jordi Savall (SACD)

Julia Sophie Wagner, Lothar Odinius, An

Edith Mathis, , Christoph Prégardien, René Pape, Festival Choir Lucerne, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Peter Schreier (DVD)

Dawn Upshaw, Jon Humphrey, John Cheek, Heidi Grant Murphy, James Michael McGuire, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chamber Chorus, Robert Shaw

Norma Burrows, Sylvia Greenberg, Rüdiger Wohlers, James Morris, Siegmund Nimsgern, Chicago Symphony Chorus, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Georg Solti *

Sun Hae Im, Jan Kobow , Hanno Müller-Brachmann, VokalEnsemble Köln, Capella Augustina, Andreas Spering

David Stout, Andrew Staples, Ida Falk Winland, Robert Davies, Musica Saeculorum, Philipp von Steinaecker

Ida Falk Winland, Andrew Staples, David Stout, Robert Davies, Musica Saeculorum, Philipp von Steinaecker (DVD)

Lucia Popp, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Benjamin Luxon, London Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir, Klaus Tennstedt

Jeannette van Dijck, Peter Schreier, Theo Adam, Gürzenich Orchestra & Choir of Cologne, Günter Wand

Ann Monoyios, Joerg Hering, Harry van der Kamp, Tolzer Knabenchor, Tafelmusik, Bruno Weil

Hanno Müller-Brachmann, Jan Kobow, Sibylla Rubens, Tölzer Knabenchor & Cappella Coloniensis, Bruno Weil (SACD)

Heather Harper, Pamela Bowden, Alexander Young, John Shirley-Quirk, Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields & English Chamber Orchestra, Sir David Willcocks *

(* = download only)

[Pulcinella]

I wonder if we'll get a German language and an English language recommendation.
And am I remembering correctly that a recent English language version used a new translation?

PS: Time flies!
The CBSO/Rattle 1991 performance is sung in a new English translation edited by Nicholas Temperley, according to this fairly comprehensive Wiki article:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Creation_(Haydn)

[mikealdren]

As it was based on an original English libretto that was translated into German so (despite what Wiki says) rather than a new translation I think it should really be seen as an updating of the words using both sources!

[Barbirollians]

No sign of the Frühbeck de Burgos version ?

[CallMePaul]

As it was based on an original English libretto that was translated into German

For this reason I would be looking for an English language version, yet most recordings seem to use the German version of the libretto. Given that Hogwood, McCreash and Rattle appear to be download only, is there a recommendable CD version sung in English? I suspect that most English speakers would prefer this!

[Darloboy]

A work which comes up pretty regularly on BaL and was last covered only 10 years ago. Jeremy Summerly is one of my least favourite BaL reviewers so I may give this a miss. I really wish they'd given this programme to Nicholas Kenyon or Simon Heighes

Previous recommendations:

Trevor Harvey (April 1979): Frühbeck de Burgos with Münchinger as runner-up and Willcocks as English choice
Stephen Dodgson (January 1985): ASMF/Marriner on Philips
Stephen Dodgson again (May 1995): Dorati + Rattle for an English version and Kuijken on period instruments
Dermot Clich (July 04): Harnoncourt with Bruno Weil as runner-up; Karajan as mid-price old-fashioned choice
Iain Burnside (December 13): Jacobs as first choice with McCreesh as period English choice; Rattle as English recommendation on modern instruments; and LSO/Colin Davis for modern instruments in German

[Pulcinella]

For this reason I would be looking for an English language version, yet most recordings seem to use the German version of the libretto. Given that Hogwood, McCreash and Rattle appear to be download only, is there a recommendable CD version sung in English? I suspect that most English speakers would prefer this!

There are copies of the King's Willcocks version still available. I haven't checked other English versions, as this is the one I have and am happy with.
You get a fine Paukenmesse too, which imo is better than the John's Argo version of around the same time.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Haydn-Creation-Missa-tempore-belli/dp/B000JJ4G5M/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?crid=3VR7TKFALY4ML&keywords=Willcocks+creation+kings+cd&qid=1703751054&sprefix=willcocks+creation+kings+cd%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-1-fkmr0

[Ein Heldenleben]

Good BAL this . Do the very few comments indicate that it’s not a particularly popular work? Must be one of the greatest works created in the 18th century (in any genre) ?

[Goon525]

Or it might just be general agreement with your view that it’s being well done?

[underthecountertenor]

Or it might just be general agreement with your view that it’s being well done?

Agreement from me, certainly. Summerly is (pace Darloboy) consistently among the best of BaL reviewers: unlike many these days, he really knows his stuff, and communicates it with infectious enthusiasm. Grateful for the recommendation too, of which I’m ashamed to say I was previously unaware.

[jonfan]

Good BAL this . Do the very few comments indicate that it’s not a particularly popular work? Must be one of the greatest works created in the 18th century (in any genre) ?

Agree, one of the greatest. A superb BAL done with enthusiasm and respect for all the performances demonstrated. I learnt a great deal about the continuo choices. The winner is going on my shelf.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Agreement from me, certainly. Summerly is (pace Darloboy) consistently among the best of BaL reviewers: unlike many these days, he really knows his stuff, and communicates it with infectious enthusiasm. Grateful for the recommendation too, of which I’m ashamed to say I was previously unaware.

Yes an exemplary BAL. So much intelligent comment and deep knowledge lightly worn. Haydn always seems to draw the best out of people!

[smittims]

I agree that it is one of the masterpieces ofthe 18th-century, but then , unlike many people,I've come over the years to prefer Haydn to Bach. I think its magic lies in its head-on, no-punches-pulled approach to its subject (an attribute it shares with Messiah) . It might seem easy, or obvious to write a huge choral work on this subject. One could hardly fail to make a big hit. Yet hardly anyone does so . I think it took a man of great simplicity and humility (and humanity) to create this. Imagine Richard Strauss doing it, and the likely result.

My recommendations would be Karajan (1966-69) for German, and Willcocks (1974) for an English version.

[richardfinegold]

Good BAL this . Do the very few comments indicate that it’s not a particularly popular work? Must be one of the greatest works created in the 18th century (in any genre) ?

I have to admit that I tried to appreciate this many years ago, and found myself in the Berlioz camp. I should give it another shot, particularly as I have gotten to know much more Haydn in the interim. Regardless of who was recommended, who would you recommend? How about one traditional and one HIPP recommendation .

[Ein Heldenleben]

I have to admit that I tried to appreciate this many years ago, and found myself in the Berlioz camp. I should give it another shot, particularly as I have gotten to know much more Haydn in the interim. Regardless of who was recommended, who would you recommend? How about one traditional and one HIPP recommendation .

I was very impressed with the Dorati and the JEG. I have two recordings one on vinyl *and the other CD but I can’t for the life of me remember any of the details. I’ve more or less abandoned CD listening for the joys of Qobuz…
* vinyl is Krauss / Vienna Phil I discover
* update CD is Willcocks - good recording that, Also got a BBC MM CD **
somewhere and a cassette.

** final update the BBC Music Mag CD is BBC Phil and Singers with Harry Christophers - an excellent freebie as it turned out.