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Haydn – The Creation part 3

19 March 2009 No Comments

Joseph HaydnThe part two begins with “The fourth day…” on number fifteen when, “God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth… And God blessed them, saying , Be fruitful , and multiply , and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth” (The Holy Bible, Genesis 1:19 – 1:22). Uriel has a fantastic melody singing of the birds flying over the ocean and the earth. It begins with the orchestra soaring the audience through the air on the back of a great and mighty bird. One can almost feel the ocean underneath the mighty wings.

Most of part two is filled with very functional harmony. Also to note, more so than previously, the orchestra makes way for the soloist when he and/or she sings. The first sets of chords go from I to IV to V and only when the soloist is not singing. This continues throughout the rest of the second part with the orchestra backing out almost immediately every time the soloist is about to sing.

Once again between the days of creation the narrators praise the Almighty in his greatness and glory. However, this time in number twenty, between days five and six there’s a trio between Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael. The counterpoint is absolutely impeccable at this point. There is an echo in the voices almost as if it is a canon written out for the first few measures. The melodies also tend to start on an off-beat fairly consistently with few exceptions during this section. Also it would seem as if Gabriel has the principal part. For not only do Uriel and Raphael start at the half a measure after Gabriel and sing the same part at the 5th but Raphael’s part continues to be supported and/or doubled in the lower voices.

During the sixth day of creation God creates man in his likeness which begins on number twenty-four. Obviously this part of the music is more dramatic than some of the previous for it tells of our creation. The orchestra interacts with the soloist, in this case Uriel, more than is had previously. There tends to be a call and response between the two. Although Uriel does the “calling” through the majority of these numbers it is the orchestra who keeps driving forward. This affect is caused by the orchestra having shorter rhythms on upbeats whereas the soloist has a much longer melody.

Although not narrated “God… rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made” (The Holy Bible, Genesis 2:2 – 2:3). The chorus ends part two with a Hallelujah singing, “Achieved is the glorious work; Our song let be the praise of God. Glory to His Name forever. He, sole, on high, exalted reigns. Halleujah”

Jason Andrews

Jason Andrews is a Guitarist, Songwriter and Composer. He is the administrator for OctaveBox.com and Sym.Phonio.us and the owner of Maelstrom Melody Music Publishing and Production.

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