jan 1, 1798 - The Creation
Description:
an oratorio written between 1797 and 1798 and considered by many to be one of Haydn's masterpieces. The oratorio depicts and celebrates the creation of the world as described in the Book of Genesis. The libretto was written by Gottfried van Swieten.The Culminating Work: The Creation
1. In London, Haydn interacted most frequently with nobility and gentry, and considered
moving to London at the invitation of George III.
2. While in London, Haydn experienced a large Handel festival and was inspired to
compose something similar for Austrians. He chose to write The Creation, based on texts from the Bible and Milton’s Paradise Lost.
a. The work includes da capo arias and contrapuntal choruses, which were
considered old-fashioned in 1798.
b. The opening is quite new, however, in its attempt to recreate the chaos that
precedes the moment when God created heaven and earth.
Added to timeline:
Date:
jan 1, 1798
Now
~ 227 years ago