Classical works Flashcards
What composer’s works influenced Haydn when composing “The Creation”?
Handel’s “Messiah” and “Israel in Egypt”
From what works is the libretto for Haydn’s “Creation” derived?
mainly the book of Genesis and John Milton’s “Paradise Lost”
How is the text “With softer beams…” painted?
- presented in G major (subdominant key)
- cellos and basses play a soft, gentle ascending melody to portray the quiet ascent of the moon
In what work are Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael three of the principal characters?
Haydn’s “The Creation”
What features typical of the mature Classical style are included in the overture to Haydn’s “Creation”?
Mannheim rocket
Who sings “The Heavens Are Telling the Glory of God”?
Chorus and Trio: Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael
“The Heavens Are Telling”
Key:
Tempo:
Meter:
“The Heavens Are Telling”
Key: begins in C major
Tempo: Allegro
Meter: cut time
What style is “And God said: Let there be light”?
recitativo secco
In which part and scene does Uriel sing “And God said: Let there be light”?
“The Creation” - Part 1, Scene 3, No. 12
In what scene is “The Heavens Are Telling the Glory of God” sung?
“The Creation” - Part 1, Scene 3, No. 14
How many parts are in “The Creation” and what are their subjects?
Part 1 - the first 4 days of Creation
Part 2 - the last 3 days of Creation
Part 3 - set in the Garden of Eden
When did Haydn complete “The Creation”?
1798
What technique is employed before Uriel’s recitative “In Splendor Bright”?
an orchestral crescendo
[Mannheim School]
- vividly depicts the rising of the sun with an ascending D major scale
How is the text “In splendor bright” accompanied?
includes a short rocket motive, played in the cellos and basses, punctuated by bold orchestral chords
Who sings “In splendor bright”?
Uriel
When did “The Creation” premiere?
in 1800 in the Old Covent Garden theather
What texture is employed in the opening chorus of “The Heavens Are Telling”?
homorhythmic
Describe the text painting of “The space immense…”
employs widely-spaced, dotted chords to punctuate the music, suggesting countless stars and wide spaces in the night sky
In what part and scene does Uriel sing “In splendor bright”?
“The Creation” - Part 1, Scene 3, No. 13
The shifting harmonies and dynamics as well as the large orchestra of the overture to “The Creation” are typical of what?
Haydn’s late style - early signs of Romanticism are apparent
What are two characteristics of the overture?
- Chromaticism and unexpected shifts are elements of the harmonic design.
- The overture is performed by a large orchestra.
After the trio sings, when the chorus returns to its opening melody, what is different compared to the initial presentation?
The material is treated contrapuntally with imitation among the voices.
Who wrote “The Creation”?
Haydn
“In splendor bright”
Key:
Tempo:
Meter:
“In splendor bright”
Key: begins in D major
Tempo: Andante
Meter: cut time
The book of Genesis and John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” serve as the foundation for the libretto of what work?
Haydn’s “Creation”
Who translated “The Creation” from English to German?
Baron Gottfried van Swieten
“And God said: Let there be light”
Key: begins in ____
Meter:
“And God said: Let there be light”
Key: begins in C major
Meter: common time
“The Creation” - background information
* Genre:
* Composer:
* German title:
* Libretto/librettist:
* Sources of libretto:
* Composition date:
* Structure:
* Performing forces:
“The Creation
* Genre: oratorio
* Composer: F. J. Haydn
* German title: “Die Schoepfung
* Librettist: original English libretto is anonymous; German-language adaptation by Baron Gottfried van Swieten
* Sources of libretto: book of Genesis and John Milton’s “Paradise Lots”
* Composition date: completed in 1798
* Structure: three parts, each containing multiple movements
* Performing forces: soprano, tenor, and bass soloists; SATB chorus; orchestra (with basso continuo for the recitatives)
Who wrote “The Creation”?
Haydn
How is text painting achieved in the text “in all the lands”?
sung by the trio of soloists and repeated expansively to suggest the earth’s broad domain and how “the word” resounds and is understood
When and where was Haydn’s “Creation” first premiered?
19 March 1799 in Vienna
Who are the principal characters in “The Creation”?
Gabriel - soprano; archangel
Uriel - tenor; archangel
Raphael - bass; archangel
Adam - bass; first man
Eve - soprano; first woman
Who sings “And God said: Let there be light”?
Uriel
When the trio sings the word “night,” what word painting technique is used?
a brief shift to C minor
In “The Heavens Are Telling,” how is the material in the last return of the chords presented?
Homorhythmic and imitative textures alternate
What style is Uriel’s recitative “In splendor bright?”
recitativo accompagnato
