Creation, an oratorio by Haydn

About

Forty years ago, in 1986, a choir was formed, The Bradford on Avon Choral Society. To celebrate this significant anniversary year, they are presenting two major concerts, the first of which is Haydn's powerful oratorio "Creation". This piece is performed by three soloists, Claire Ward (soprano), Kieran White (tenor)and James Geidt (baritone) the Choir, and a professional orchestra led by Miranda Dodd, all under the baton of Alan Burgess, Director of Music for Bradford Choral.
The orchestra opens with "Representation of Chaos" followed by a deep solo voice singing the famous words from Genesis: "In the beginning God created.......", evoking the primordal darkness before the choir sing "Let there be light", the mood uncannily foreshadowing the "Big Bang" scientific theory of more than two hundred years later.
The progression through the six stages of creation gives Haydn wonderful opportunities for musical representation of God's works....the boist'rous sea, the cooing tender dove, the host of insects, and even the flexible tiger. While the soloists take us through the appearance of an emerging world and its creatures-including Adam and Eve-the chorus weaves in and out, exulting in joy at the miracle of creation.
The beautiful interior of Holy Trinity Church provides a fitting backdrop for this magnificent piece.