Portsmouth Choral Union: Haydn Creation
Posted: 22nd October 2024
It is only fitting that after Portsmouth Choral Union’s highly successful performance of Handel’s oratorio ‘Saul’, at this year’s Chichester Festivities, they should turn their attention to Handel’s successor as a composer of oratorios, Franz Josef Haydn. During his first visit to London, Haydn attended one of the great Handel festivals held in Westminster Abbey and was completely overwhelmed by the music and the enthusiasm it generated amongst performers and audiences alike, as a result of this he decided to write an oratorio of his own that would be worthy of Handel’s Oratorio masterpieces. The Creation, a setting of a German text based on John Milton’s Paradise Lost, is considered Haydn’s finest oratorio and one of his greatest works.
It represents a considerable dramatic development over those by Handel. Haydn uses a large orchestra to exciting and dramatic effect – particularly noticeable is the use of woodwind and brass to represent all manner of wildlife, the creation of light, foaming seas, the moon, ‘the light and flaky snow’ and much more. Although Haydn was 66 years old when he completed the work in 1798 the music is joyful, effervescent and surprisingly, full of youthful enthusiasm. This enthusiasm and effervescence will be matched in Portsmouth Choral Union’s forthcoming performance of this exciting work.
Directed by David Gostick and accompanied by Southern Pro Musica, this performance will take place on Sunday November 17th, St. Mary’s Church Portsea at 7.30pm.
Tickets: In advance online at www.pcuchoir.org
Adults £18.00, Children and Students £2.50
Tickets on the door – Card payment only
Email: pcutickets@gmail.com