Press

Press release: die Schöpfung

14.05.2009

On Sunday 31 May it will be exactly 200 years since the Austrian composer Joseph Haydn died. The anniversary of the death of this important and highly productive composer is being commemorated throughout the world with hundreds of concerts, symposia and exhibitions. The Nederlands Kamerkoor, together with Concerto d’Amsterdam, is also honouring this great master with three performances of Haydn’s masterpiece, Die Schöpfung (The Creation). The performance on 31 May, the actual anniversary of his death, will take place in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.  The two other concerts are in Zwolle on 28 May and Arnhem on 29 May.

The creation of a masterpiece

It is 1791, and Haydn is in London, where he will write one opera, six symphonies and twenty other works. They are performed to great success with him conducting. But Haydn doesn’t only create music, he also listens to it. And thus, during a ‘Commemoration of Handel’ concert, the Messiah makes a profound impression on him. This experience will prove to have influence on the choral music which he will later write in Vienna. He gets hold of a text based on the Bible and Milton’s Paradise Lost, but feels he is not familiar enough with English to be able to set it to music. Gottfried Baron van Swieten comes to his aid and produces a German version. Haydn is himself stirred by it: ‘Every day I knelt down and prayed to God to give me the strength to finish this work.’ Die Schöpfung receives its baptism in two private performances in Schwarzenberg Palace. The première is a success and the oratorio sets off on a triumphal tour of Europe. At the end of the work the choir sings: Des Herren Ruhm, er bleibt in Ewigkeit (The praise of the Lord will endure forever). A cheerful view of a world which Haydn depicts in three sections: the elements, animals and mankind, and the earthly paradise. He makes only passing reference to the Fall of man. Haydn through and through.

The performance on 31 May in Amsterdam will be broadcast live on Internet by Monteverdi-TV. Information about this ‘first’ for the Nederlands Kamerkoor can be found at www.monteverdi.tv and www.schopfung.nl.

Nederlands Kamerkoor   –  Concerto d’Amsterdam   –  Klaas Stok, conductor
Johannette Zomer, soprano –  Marcel Beekman, tenor –  André Morsch, baritone

programme
Joseph Haydn 1732-1809
Die Schöpfung 1796-1798 - Oratorium für Soli, Chor und Orchester Hob XXI Nr. 2

— Thursday 28 May 8.15PM
Zwolle, Odeon De Spiegel
€ 30,25 / € 26,25 / € 22,25
tickets +31 (0)38 428 82 88

— Friday 29 May 8.15PM
Arnhem, Musis Sacrum
€ 30 / € 15 cjp
tickets +31 (0)26 443 73 43

— Sunday 31 May 8.15PM
Amsterdam, Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal
€ 37,50 / € 32,50 cjp
tickets +31 (0)20 671 83 45