Thursday 15 December 2016

Edvard Grieg Choir takes part in the performance of Haydn's masterful oratorio from 1798. The work describes and celebrates the creation of the earth as it is described in the Bible and in John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost . Haydn was inspired to compose an oratorio after his trips to England where he heard performances of Handel's popular works.

The oratorio consists of three parts; from the chaos before creation via the six days of creation itself, to the story of Adam and Eve in the third part. Each and every new creation is described in the music and the main focus is on the happy pact between Adam and Eve.

It is said that Haydn, a year before he died, had to be carried into the concert hall to hear the work. The audience was so excited that Haydn felt he had to say something. He is said to have smiled, pointed up to the sky and said "it's not from me, everything comes from above!"