Composed in 1798, Joseph Haydn’s glorious masterpiece is a three-part oratorio that celebrates the creation of the world as depicted in Milton’s Paradise Lost and the Book of Genesis. The score, while rooted in tradition, is remarkably innovative. Inspired in part by Handel’s Messiah, a performance of which marked the 150th anniversary of the College, Haydn’s score has moments which verge on the cinematic, foreshadowing the programmatic music of the 19th century. Haydn’s oratorio is one of optimism and it is precisely this spirit of unbounded joy and celebration that has ensured The Creation’s enduring appeal, making it an ideal piece to mark this significant milestone in Bradfield’s history.
‘I SANG THE ARIA FROM THE THIRD DAY WHEN GOD SEPARATED THE LANDS FROM THE SEA. HAYDN’S USE OF ORCHESTRATION AND WORD PAINTING HERE CREATES AN INCREDIBLY VIVID PICTURE.’
Luca (H)
The performance on the 15 March was very much a community endeavor with the choir being a blend of Bradfieldians, past, present, and future, singing alongside College and St Andrew’s staff and singers from the wider Bradfield Society, supported by an orchestra that includes several alumni and staff. The traditional four archangel soloists, were replaced by a variety of pupils, OBs, and teachers, George (E), India (K), Jecca (M), Theo (LC), Charlotte (I), Acacia (LK), Luke (A), Samuel (LA), Fede (F), Luca (H), Tom Klafkowski (G 16-21), Alex Jones (teacher) and Liz Croft (Director of Music, St Andrew’s).
