Die Schöpfung (The Creation) (Joseph Haydn)

Music files

**L E G E N D**
ICON	SOURCE
	Pdf
	Pdf
	Midi
	MusicXML
	Capella
	Capella
	Finale 2014
	MuseScore3
	Sibelius
	Web Page
	File details
	Help

Complete oratorio

Individual movements

Erster Teil

1. Einleitung (Die Vorstellung des Chaos). (Recitative & Chorus. In the beginning)

(Posted 2024-02-24) CPDL #79267:

Editor: Jes Wagner (submitted 2024-02-24). Score information: A4, 4 kB Copyright: CC BY NC ND

Edition notes: The C.F. Peters edition has movement "1." - Bärenreiter "1a".

(Posted 2010-02-19) CPDL #21048:

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2010-02-19). Score information: A4, 2 pages, 36 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

2. Nun Schwanden vor dem heiligen Strahle. (Aria & Chorus. Despairing, cursing rage)

(Posted 2024-02-24) CPDL #79268:

Editor: Jes Wagner (submitted 2024-02-24). Score information: A4, 11 pages Copyright: CC BY NC ND

Edition notes: The C.F. Peters edition has movement "2." - Bärenreiter "1b".

(Posted 2010-02-18) CPDL #21040:

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2010-02-18). Score information: A4, 5 pages, 88 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Includes Tenor solo parts.

4. Chorus and solo. Mit Staunen sieht das Wunderwerk

(Posted 2024-02-28) CPDL #79308:

Editor: Jes Wagner (submitted 2024-02-28). Score information: A4, 7 pages Copyright: CC BY NC ND

Edition notes: The C.F. Peters edition has movement "4." - Bärenreiter "2b".

(Posted 2023-02-13) CPDL #72626:

Editor: Andrew Sims (submitted 2023-02-13). Score information: A4, 4 pages, 90 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Choral and solo parts with cues.

10. Chorus. Stimmt an die Saiten

(Posted 2024-03-02) CPDL #79343:

Editor: Jes Wagner (submitted 2024-03-02). Score information: A4, 10 pages Copyright: CC BY NC ND

Edition notes: The C.F. Peters edition has movement "10." - Bärenreiter "5b".

13. Chorus. Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes (The heavens are telling) (See also this arranged as an hymn, The spacious firmament on high)

(Posted 2024-03-06) CPDL #79412:

Editor: Jes Wagner (submitted 2024-03-06). Score information: A4, 15 pages Copyright: CC BY NC ND

Edition notes: The C.F. Peters edition has movement "13." - Bärenreiter "6c".

(Posted 2008-10-06) CPDL #18111: (Sibelius 4)

Editor: John Henry Fowler (submitted 2008-10-06). Score information: Letter, 13 pages, 172 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Uses alternative English words: "The Heavens declare".

(Posted 2004-04-15) CPDL #06929: (Sibelius 2)

Editor: Denis Mason (submitted 2004-04-15). Score information: A4, 13 pages, 400 kB Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

(Posted 2003-04-25) CPDL #04883:

Editor: Helmut Kickton (submitted 2003-04-25). Score information: A4, 20 pages, 403 kB Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: in German, arranged for strings and organ.

Zweiter Teil

19. Chorus. Der Herr ist groß in seiner Macht (The Lord is great in his might)

(Posted 2024-03-11) CPDL #79469:

Editor: Jes Wagner (submitted 2024-03-11). Score information: A4, 10 pages Copyright: CC BY NC ND

Edition notes: The C.F. Peters edition has movement "19." - Bärenreiter "8c".

26. Chorus. Vollendet ist das große Werk (Achieved is the glorious work)

(Posted 2024-03-15) CPDL #79548:

Editor: Jes Wagner (submitted 2024-03-15). Score information: A4, 5 pages Copyright: CC BY NC ND

Edition notes: The C.F. Peters edition has movement "26." - Bärenreiter "11b".

(Posted 2010-02-15) CPDL #21012:

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2010-02-15). Score information: A4, 4 pages, 68 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: English words.

(Posted 2009-10-03) CPDL #20283: vln 1 part vln 2 vla VC

Editor: Richard Mix (submitted 2009-10-03). Score information: Letter, 1 page, 73 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: 1 pg each. Four string parts.

27. Trio. On Thee Each Living Souls Awaits

28. Chorus. Vollendet ist das große Werk (Achieved is the glorious work) (altered reprise of #26)

Posted on 2024-03-23(Posted 2024-03-23) CPDL #79658:

Editor: Jes Wagner (submitted 2024-03-23). Score information: A4, 10 pages Copyright: CC BY NC ND

Edition notes: The C.F. Peters edition has movement "28." - Bärenreiter "11c".

(Posted 2004-05-03) CPDL #06966: (Sibelius 2)

Editor: Denis Mason (submitted 2004-05-03). Score information: Letter, 7 pages, 280 kB Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

Dritter Teil

30. Chorus and soli. Von deiner Güt

Posted on 2024-03-26(Posted 2024-03-26) CPDL #79697:

Editor: Jes Wagner (submitted 2024-03-26). Score information: A4, 27 pages Copyright: CC BY NC ND

Edition notes: The C.F. Peters edition has movement "30." - Bärenreiter "12b".

30. Duo. Von deiner Güt', O Herr und Gott

(Posted 2018-01-29) CPDL #48598:

Editor: Toni Sanz (submitted 2018-01-29). Score information: A4, 6 pages Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

34. Chorus and soli. Singt dem Herren alle Stimmen!

Posted on 2024-03-30(Posted 2024-03-30) CPDL #79772:

Editor: Jes Wagner (submitted 2024-03-30). Score information: A4, 14 pages Copyright: CC BY ND

Edition notes: The C.F. Peters edition has movement "34." - Bärenreiter "14a".

General Information

Title: Die Schöpfung (The Creation),
Catalogue Number: Hob.XXI:2
Composer: Joseph Haydn
Lyricist: Gottfried van Swieten , after the Bible and John Milton's poem Paradise Lost

Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Soloists: S(A)TB (Alto only sings in a very brief solo quartet)
Genre: Sacred, Oratorio

Languages: German, English
Instruments: Orchestra 3223-223-tympani, strings & BC

First published: 1800 in Vienna
2nd published: 1803 by Breitkopf and Härtel
3rd published: 1859 by Novello and Company in London
4th published: 1882 by C. F. Peters in Leipzig; reprinted by Dover, New York, in 1990
5th published: 1923 in Chorbuch des „Sängerhain“ 1923- (Ernst Dahlke) (chorus no. 13), p. 437
Description: Haydn composed to Van Swieten's German translation of the original English libretto, which was then put syllable for syllable under the music for the premiere. The Agnus Dei of the so-called Schöpfungsmesse Hob.XXII:13 quotes music from the dewy morning for "Miserere nobis" as well as from Adam and Eve's final duet for the words "Qui tollis peccata mundi".

List of Movements

The first number from the 1882 Peters edition; the number in parenthesis from the 1858 Novello edition

PART I.

(1) Instrumental (): Die Vorstellung des Chaos (Representation of Chaos)

1. (2) Recitative (B): Im Anfange schuf Gott Himmel und Erde (In the beginning God created Heaven and Earth)

Chorus (SATB): Und der Geist Gottes schwebte (And the Spirit of God moved)

Recitative (T): Und Gott sah das Licht (And God saw the light)

2. (3) Aria (T): Nun schwanden vor dem heiligen Strahle (Now vanished by the holy beams)

Aria (T): Erstarrt entflieht der Höllengeister Schar (Affrighted fled hell's spirits)

Chorus, fugue (SATB): Verzweiflung, Wut und Schrecken (Desparing, cursing rage)

3. (4) Recitative secco (B): Und Gott machte das Firmament (And God made the firmament)
4. (5) Solo with chorus (S): Mit Staunen sieht das Wunderwerk (The marvellous work beholds amazed)
5. (6) Recitative secco (B): Und Gott sprach: Es sammle sich das Wasser (And God said: let the waters)
6. (7) Aria (B): Rollend in schäumenden Wellen (Rolling in foaming billows)
7. (8) Recitative secco (S): Und Gott sprach: Es bringe die Erde Gras hervor (And God said: Let all the earth bring forth grass)
8. (9) Aria (S): Nun beut die Flur das frische Grün (With verdure clad the fields appear delightful)
9. (10) Recitative secco (T): Und die himmlischen Heerscharen verkündigten den dritten Tag (And the Heavenly host proclaimed the third day)
10. (11) Chorus (SATB): Stimmt an die Saiten (Awake the harp)
11. (12) Recitative secco (T): Und Gott sprach: Es sei'n Lichter an der Feste des Himmels (And God said: Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven)
12. (13) Recitative (T): In vollem Glanze steiget jetzt die Sonne strahlend auf (In splendour bright is rising now the sun)

Recitative (T): Mit leisem Gang und sanftem Schimmer (With softer beams and milder light)

Recitative (T): Den ausgedehnten Himmelsraum (The space immense of th'azure sky)

13. (14) Chorus (SATB): Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes (The heavens are telling the glory of God)

Trio (SBT): Dem kommenden Tage sagt es der Tag (To day that is coming speaks it the day)

Chorus (SATB): Die Himmel erzählen ... (The heavens are telling the glory of God)

Trio (SBT): Dem kommenden Tage ... (To day that is coming speaks it the day)

Chorus (SATB): Die Himmel erzählen ... (The heavens are telling the glory of God)

Chorus, fugue (SATB): Und seiner Hände Werk (The wonder of his works)

PART II.

14. (15) Recitative (S): Und Gott sprach: Es bringe das Wasser in der Fülle hervor (And God said: Let the waters bring forth in plenty)
15. (16) Aria (S): Auf starkem Fittiche schwinget sich der Adler stolz (On mighty wings the eagle proudly soars aloft)
16. (17) Recitative secco (B): Und Gott schuf große Walfische (And God created great whales)

Recitative (B): Seid fruchtbar alle (Be fruitful all)

17. (18) Recitative secco (B): Und die Engel rührten ihr' unsterblichen Harfen (And the angels struck their immortal harps)
18. (19) Trio (STB): In holder Anmut stehn (In fairest raiment)
19. (20) Trio and chorus (STB): Der Herr ist groß in seiner Macht (The Lord is great in his might)
20. (21) Recitative secco (B): Es bringe die Erde hervor lebende Geschöpfe[n 2] (And God said: Let earth bring forth the living creature)
21. (22) Recitative (B): Gleich öffnet sich der Erde Schoß (At once Earth opens her womb)

Recitative (B): Das zackig Haupt (The nimble stag)

Recitative (B): Auf grünen Matten (The cattle in herds)

Recitative (B): Wie Staub verbreitet sich (Unnumbered as the sands)

Recitative (B): In langen Zügen (In long dimensions)

22. (23) Aria (B): Nun scheint in vollem Glanze der Himmel (Now shines heaven in the brightest glory)
23. (24) Recitative secco (T): Und Gott schuf den Menschen (And God created Man)
24. (25) Aria (T): Mit Würd' und Hoheit angetan (In native worth and honor clad)
25. (26) Recitative secco (B): Und Gott sah jedes Ding (And God saw every thing)
26. (27) Chorus (SATB): Vollendet ist das große Werk (Fulfilled at last the great work)
27. (27a) Trio (STB): Zu dir, o Herr, blickt alles auf (All look up to thee, O Lord)
28. (27b) Chorus (SATB): Vollendet ist das große Werk (Fulfilled at last the great work)

Chorus, fugue (SATB): Alles lobe seinen Namen (Glory to his name forever)

PART III.

(28) Instrumental (): ' (Introduction)

29.Recitative (T): Aus Rosenwolken bricht (In rosy mantle appears)
30. (29) Duet with chorus (SB): Von deiner Güt, o Herr und Gott (By thy goodness, O bounteous Lord)

Duet with chorus (SB): Gesegnet sei des Herren Macht (Forever blessed be his Pow'r)

Duet with chorus (SB): Der Sterne hellster (Of stars the fairest)

Duet with chorus (SB): Macht kund auf eurer weiten Bahn (Proclaim in your extended course)

Chorus (SATB): Heil dir, o Gott! (Hail, bounteous Lord!)

31. (30) Recitative (SB): Nun ist die erste Pflicht erfüllt (Our first duty we have now performed)
32. (31) Duet (SB): Holde Gattin, dir zur Seite (Sweet companion, at thy side)

Duet (SB): Der tauende Morgen (The dew dropping morn)

33. (32) Recitative secco (T): O glücklich Paar, und glücklich immerfort (O happy pair, and ever happy henceforth)
34. (33) Chorus (SATB): Singt dem Herren alle Stimmen! (Sing the Lord, ye voices all)

Chorus (fugue) with soli (SATB): Des Herren Ruhm, er bleibt in Ewigkeit (The praise of the Lord will endure forever)

External websites:

Free choir training aids for this work are available at Choralia.
1803 edition and more at IMSLP
View the Wikipedia article on Die Schöpfung (The Creation) (Joseph Haydn).
(German) Libretto: 1804 print and html-Version

Original text and translations

Visit the external website(s) listed above for the original text and/or translations.

English text

#2
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth;
And the earth was without form and void;
And darkness was on the face of the deep.

And the spirit of God moved on the face of the waters;
And God said: Let there be light, and there was light.

And God saw the light, that it was good:
And God divided light from the darkness.

#13

English text

The Heavens are telling the glory of God,
The wonder of his work displays the firmament.

Today that is coming speaks it the day,
The night that is gone to following night.
The Heavens are telling the glory of God,
The wonder of his work displays the firmament.

In all the lands resounds the word,
Never unperceived, ever understood.
The Heavens are telling the glory of God,
The wonder of his work displays the firmament.

Alternative English words:
The Heavens declare the glory of God.
The firmament shows forth the wonders of his work.

And day unto day doth utter speech,
And night unto night doth knowledge show.
The Heavens declare the glory of God,
The firmament shows forth the wonders of his work.

Through all the earth their word goes forth,
Where is speech or language, there their voice is heard;
ever, ever, ever their voice is heard.
The Heavens declare the glory of God.
The firmament shows forth the wonders of his work.

#26
Achieved is the glorious work;
The Lord beholds it, and is pleased,
In lofty strains let us rejoice,
Our song let be the praise of God.

#28
Achieved is the glorious work;
Our song let be the praise of God.
Glory to His name forever.
He sole on high exalted reigns. Hallelujah.

Die Schöpfung (The Creation) (Joseph Haydn)

Contents