The Creation

We are joined by Steel City Choristers to perform Joseph Haydns glorious masterpiece, The Creation, a three-part oratorio that celebrates the creation of the world as depicted in Miltons Paradise Lost and the Biblical book of Genesis.Unusually were playing just the one piece for our season ending concert this year but what a piece of music it is Haydns creation!The Creation is an oratorio written by Joseph Haydn in 1797 and 1798, and considered by many to be one of his masterpieces.

It depicts and celebrates the creation of the world as narrated in the Book of Genesis.

Its scored for soprano, tenor and bass soloists, chorus and a symphonic orchestra and altogether is about 2 hours long.It is in three parts: - part I covers the first four days of creation; part II covers days 5 and 6; whilst part III is set in the garden of Eden after the creation and covers the the first happy hours of Adam and Eves existence.

The soloists represent the archangels Raphael (bass), Uriel (tenor) and Gabriel (soprano) in parts I and II, whilst in part III the bass and soprano represent Adam and Eve.Haydn was inspired to write this large oratorio during his visits to England when he heard George Frederic Handels Israel in Egypt performed by large numbers of musicians.

Haydn likely wanted to try to achieve results of comparable weight, but now using the musical language of the fully matured classical style.

And the result is this stunning work.Were joined by the Steel City Choristers for this performance.

When Sheffield Cathedral Choir was controversially disbanded in 2020, former members gathered together to reimagine a community-orientated ensemble of mixed childrens and adult voices committed to English church music and the Steel City Choristers are the result an independent and innovative choir of children and adults that make high-quality sacred choral music more accessible and relevant, so that more people can experience its beauty and enjoy its benefits.