Album

Haydn had both German and English texts of the libretto before him when he wrote The Creation. (The original, anonymous libretto was in English; Gottfried van Swieten translated it into German and then retranslated it back into English.) It was this retranslation (which was in fact full of inaccuracies and grammatical errors) that Handel used in creating alternate text settings when the two languages couldn't be musically reconciled. Consequently, and rightly, the English version has been considered inferior and is rarely used. Haydn was adamant, though, that The Creation should be sung in the language of its listeners, and approved translations into a number of languages. Confronted with an inaccurate, unpoetic text and some awkward text setting, conductor Paul McCreesh set about to create a new English translation that fit the composer's musical syntax. His version is graceful and elegant, and sounds completely natural—it could easily become the standard English version.

The original productions of The Creation involved an orchestra and chorus that were unusually large for the time, and McCreesh duplicates whose forces in this recording. Haydn was careful about designating solo and tutti passages for the orchestra, so he had a broad palette on which to write—from the intimate sounds of chamber music to a massed orchestra with triple winds. The Gabrieli Players, using period instruments, sounds marvelous, and create genuinely gigantic effects when required to, as in the creation of light on the first day. The Gabrieli Consort is joined by Chetham's Chamber Choir, creating a choral sound with real heft, but that also can be delicate when necessary. The soloists are of variable quality. Soprano Sandrine Piau is radiant as Gabriel. As Adam and Eve, baritone Peter Harvey and soprano Miah Persson are fresh and youthful sounding, and they blend beautifully. Tenor Mark Padmore and bass Neal Davies have voices more typical of English oratorio soloists: somewhat mannered, with wide vibrato. Overall, though, this is a very strong Creation, especially because of the full and colorful orchestral and choral sound, and the fine new translation.

© Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide

CD 1 of 2
(Franz) Joseph Haydn Composer Die Schöpfung ('The Creation'), Hob.XXI:2...Part 1 Work 38:31 Paul McCreesh Conductor, Chetham's Chamber Choir Chorus/Choir, Miah Persson Soprano, Gabrieli Consort Chorus/Choir, Ruth Massey Contralto, Mark Padmore Tenor, Peter Harvey Baritone, Gabrieli Players Ensemble, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Neal Davies Bass, Martin Bussey Chorus/Choir Director
1	1.Introduction: The Representation of Chaos	6:19			$0.99
2	2.Recitative and Chorus: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth	3:11			$0.99
3	3.Aria and Chorus: Now vanish before the holy beams...Despairing, cursing rage	4:06			$0.99
4	4.Accompanied Recitative: And God made the firmament	2:01			$0.99
5	5.Solo: The glorious heav'nly hierarchy	2:16			$0.99
6	6.Recitative: And God said: Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together	0:38			$0.49
7	7.Aria: Rolling in foaming billows	4:09			$0.99
8	8.Recitative: And God said: Let the earth bring forth grass	0:30			$0.49
9	9.Aria: With verdure clad the fields appear	5:11			$0.99
10	10.Recitative: And the heavenly host the third day proclaimed	0:10			$0.49
11	11.Chorus: Awake the harp, the lyre awake	2:09			$0.99
12	12.Recitative: And God said: Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven	0:39			$0.49
13	13.Accompanied Recitative: In brightest splendour rises now the sun	3:05			$0.99
14	14.Trio: The heavens are telling the glory of God	4:07			$0.99
(Franz) Joseph Haydn Composer Die Schöpfung ('The Creation'), Hob.XXI:2...Part 2 Work 40:37 Paul McCreesh Conductor, Chetham's Chamber Choir Chorus/Choir, Miah Persson Soprano, Gabrieli Consort Chorus/Choir, Ruth Massey Contralto, Mark Padmore Tenor, Peter Harvey Baritone, Gabrieli Players Ensemble, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Neal Davies Bass, Martin Bussey Chorus/Choir Director
15	15.Recitative: And God said: Let the waters bring forth abundantly	0:30			$0.49
16	16.Aria: On mighty pens uplifted soars the eagle	8:10			$1.49
17	17.Accompanied Recitative: And God created great whales	2:37			$0.99
18	18.Recitative: And the angels struck their immortal harps	0:17			$0.49
19	19.Trio: Most beautiful appear, with verdure young adorn'd... The Lord is great	6:52			$0.99
20	20.Recitative: And God said: Let the earth bring forth the linving creature	0:23			$0.49
21	21.Accompanied Recitative: Straight opening her fertile womb	3:27			$0.99
22	22.Aria: Now heaven in fullest glory shines	3:37			$0.99
23	23.Recitative: And God created man	0:48			$0.49
24	24.Aria: In native worth and honour clad	3:53			$0.99
25	25.Recitative: And God saw everything that he had made	0:20			$0.49
26	26.Chorus and Trio: Achieved is the glorious work	9:43			$1.49
CD 2 of 2
(Franz) Joseph Haydn Composer Die Schöpfung ('The Creation'), Hob.XXI:2...Part 3 Work 29:26 Paul McCreesh Conductor, Chetham's Chamber Choir Chorus/Choir, Miah Persson Soprano, Gabrieli Consort Chorus/Choir, Ruth Massey Contralto, Mark Padmore Tenor, Peter Harvey Baritone, Gabrieli Players Ensemble, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Neal Davies Bass, Martin Bussey Chorus/Choir Director
1	27.Accompanied Recitative: In rosy mantle now appears	4:22			$0.99
2	28.Duet: By thee with bliss, O bounteous Lord	10:31			$1.99
3	29.Recitative: Our duty have we now perform'd	2:15			$0.99
4	30.Duet: Graceful consort!	8:03			$1.49
5	31.Recitative: O happy pair	0:33			$0.49
6	32.Chorus: Praise the Lord, uplift your voices	3:42			$0.99