Customer Reviews

Haydn: The Creation

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I looked around for a new English language version of Haydn's "Creation" to use for practice before I sang in the chorus for my local choral society's performance of Haydn's "Creation" earlier this year. I am not naturally drawn to Robert Shaw or his work, having been disappointed by him in recordings of Poulenc, Bach, Penderecki and other composers.

I wanted a new recording to replace the one I'd been listening to -- Hogwood's version. It was fine in a hyperactive English way. Many of the choruses were taken at presto and the enunciation of his very large group was never very clear. I considered Rattle and borrowed a copy from my local library. After hearing it I dismissed it from consideration, since I would not enjoy it over an extended period. I tried a couple German language versions, too. The famous Karajan has a starry quartet but is a might overdone in my book. Bruno Weil's traversal if forgettable, as is Gardiner. I found someone willing to sell me the Shaw version for $15 which was a good deal even by resale shop standards.

I would agree with almost everything written in the Amazon review of this music and would add this: what makes this version sparkle, aside from lustrous singing by everyone involved, is Shaw's deep understanding of Haydn and his performance method. Above all things, Josef Haydn was a moderate. He loved a good joke and even fell in love once, but his linchpin emotion was temperance and moderation. Performances of his music that go beyond this fail, in my opinion.

Shaw's version uses judicious speeds and an approach that is consistent throughout. His soloists are all exceptional and I would point out the notable contributions of Heidi Grant Murphy and James McGuire as Eve and Adam, respectively. In performing this music this past Easter, I came to a better understanding of the role these two play in the Creation and the role they must have played in Haydn's mind and soul. In particular, the duet with choral accompaniment "By thee with grace" is one of Haydn's most inspired creations, floating above the Earth like fine mist on a humid morning.

Everything about this performance makes it one of the most treasurable venues for this music. On a final note, I must agree with the critical reviewer that was exasperated by Shaw's score changes. This threw me greatly when I first began practicing with the well-known and time-tested Schirmer score. Still, this is a minor quibble in a recording so good in all respects. Unless you seek a German version of want a more dramatic approach, this version should satisfy you for years to come.

The person who wrote the "arrogant SOB" review should know that Shaw was the opposite-- generous, good-hearted, and with high ideals.
But let's forget about that. What's interesting about this remark is the misconception of "service" and "arrogance." Haydn published The Creation with a German and an English text. Why? Well, partly because it was commissioned in London, but partly because composers back then expected the audience to actually understand the text. Unfortunately, Haydn's librettist, Baron von Swieten, did not have very idiomatic English. So you end up with lines like "The large and arching front sublime, of wisdom deep declares the seat." Got it? Now imagine hearing it sung. Huh?
Robert Shaw worked out a text that actually can be understood at first hearing by English-speaking audiences, but also fits the music perfectly. That line becomes, with Shaw, "His broad and arching, noble brow proclaims of wisdom's deep abode." Actually understandable, for a change. Great music deserves this.
Shaw had the same aim as composers once had: giving the audience something meaningful, not just voices singing incomprehensible texts.
If you're a native German speaker, or fluent in the language, there's no reason not get a fine recording of the German text (Karajan or Gardiner). But if you're an Anglophone (or a choral conductor with Anglophone audiences) Shaw's the text to use. In his recording you get a complete, integrated experience of words and music. Haydn would have have loved it.

If the Messiah is an oratorio for the Christmas season, then the Creation is the perfect oratorio for spring. It captures the same excitement and wonder as a case of spring fever when all you want to do is jump in your car & drive with your head out the window pondering why the sky is blue. The choppy opening depicts chaos from which God begins to organize his creation. Right after "and there was light" there is the perfect orchestral moment of the light piercing the darkness. You will be taken up with the aria and chorus 'What wonder doth his work reveal'. Dawn Upshaw is nothing short of magnificent throughout the recording - she really does have the voice of an angel. She joyously reigns over her aria 'On mighty wings' without the slightest hint of effort. The chorus bursts forth splendidly for 'Awake the harp', especially on the line "Rejoice in the Lord, the Mighty Lord!". And if you like that, just wait a few minutes until they fire up 'The heavens are telling'. Jon Humphrey makes out believably well during his tunefully saccharine aria 'In native worth'. The fun comes bounding back, however, with the chorus 'Fulfilled at last the glorious work'. Just when you thought it was created already, Adam & Eve join the party to sing "Ah, sweet mystery of life" sentiments to each other for about 20 minutes. Quite silly. But, all is forgiven for the final, spirited choral fugue 'Sing to God'. Shaw and Parker's English translation rests perfectly on top of the music. This disc is a sheer delight!

This was the first Creation recording I ever listened to--7 years ago (which dates me but anyways). Shaw is at his best when conducting music like the Creation, the Verdi, the Brahms' Requiem. It is also one of the FEW recordings of the work in English. The pacing is nice and even, and the soloists (Dawn Upshaw and Anthony Rolf Johnson) are superb in their roles.

Haydn conceived of the work as a bi-lingual oratorio, meaning you could present it in either language. Well, when Baron von Swieten who re-translated the work (originally an English text, then translated into German) back in to English, it had some major problems.

The 19th century English music publisher Novello did a fairly good job at correcting his mistakes, and set the standard for community choruses singing the work. Others like musicologist Nicholas Temperley look to texts that more faithfully interpret the original English. And Mr. Shaw is no exception--except he was working more from a poetic sense of the libretto instead of a strict, literal view of the words. So some of the lyrics have been changed. One could certainly make a case for any change, esp. in the soloists' parts. But to change certain lines in the big choruses, like "Achieved is the Glorious Work" and "The Heavens are Telling" is tantamount to musical vandalism. But it's a minor annoyance for me, and since there are fewer choruses in this work than for Mendelssohn's Elijah (which he also re-translates), I can live with it (and insert my own words as I drive along and sing in my car).

If the current flood of happy-sappy church music and "gentle Jesus" sermons is leaving you a little wistful, buy this cd and crank it up in the car...I guarantee you will be jolted with joy at being reminded of the "almighty" part of God. And until the Mensa member pointed it out, I was unaware that God spoke only German, so I really liked understanding the scripture as sung.

A wonderful interpretation of Haydn's masterpiece - the descriptive language, beautiful solos, and engaging choruses all come together to paint a glorious picture of God's handiwork. I have heard this in the original German but as an English speaker prefer this English translation because of the amazing association between the words and the music.

As always 'the' master brings fresh vitality to a 'master piece'. For performer and listener Shaw once again bridges the divide between the page and the ear. The choral sonorities and textual understanding are Haydn and Shaw at their greatest.

If you are really that upset that this is not the "original" English version, then too bad, because this performance is glorious. Shaw is a wonderful interpreter of the great choral pieces, and this one is stunning in every regard. The singing is flawless, especially from the soloists. Even without the text sitting in front of me, I can understand every word. Also, thanks to Shaw's and Parker's dedication to presenting good music, the text is coherent, something that the original English is not. Therefore, not only do the words come across well, but the meaning is right there with it. One of my favorite parts is the duet between Adam and Eve proclaiming their love to one another. Very poetic and very touching. Also, the bass soloist singing about the animals of the earth is amazing when he drops to the low bass D at the end. The effect (though not originally what Haydn intended) is superb. You really are missing out without this disc set. If you still want a German one for the sake of originality, go for it, but this is definitely a fantastic performance!

This oratorio is excellent. From a musical viewpoint, the orchestration, vocal work, and overall technics of this work are superbly done. In the spiritual sense, this oratorio manages to get the real feel of the Creation. You can see God's awesome works being performed before your eyes. When the final chorus is sung you leave with a greater sense of God and power.
One piece that is very well sung and is particularly uplifting is the hymn of thanks and praise to God which Adam and Eve sing. One thing I like about this work is that the fall of man into sin is not included. The Creation is the Creation, and we don't have to think of sin being in the world.
The soloists are some of the finest in the world, and robert Shaw is at his best with another superb recording.
I rate this five stars!

I have listened to this CD set many times because it is so enjoyable. The music is interesting and uplifting. The performance is exuberant and refined. The soloists are great. Highly recommended.