Behind the notes: Haydn’s Die Schöpfung (The Creation)

Franz Josef Haydn’s Die Schöpfung (The Creation)

 

About the piece:

Die Schöpfung is an oratorio - a setting of a sacred text performed by a chorus, solo singers and orchestra.

It was written in 1798 and quickly became popular throughout Europe and in the United States.

The piece is a favourite with British choirs, who often sing it in its English translation as The Creation.
See a video introduction to the piece on YouTube (with the orchestra and choir of Les Arts Florissants directed by William Christie)

 

Find out more:

About Haydn

What is an oratorio?

The first performance