Among the many masterpieces composed by Joseph Haydn, the late oratorio “The Creation” (Die Schöpfung, Hob. XXI:2) is widely regarded as the summit of his musical achievement. Haydn himself is said to have described the work by saying, “It did not come from me, but from above.”
Deeply inspired after witnessing large-scale oratorio performances during his stay in London, Haydn developed a style that moved beyond conventional religious music, combining dramatic structure and operatic expression with his own compositional language. The resulting work became a monumental masterpiece that weaves the birth of light and life out of chaos into a vast musical narrative supported by majestic choral writing.
National Chorus of Korea regular concert “Haydn: The Creation.” Photo by Seoul Arts Center.
The National Chorus of Korea will present “The Creation” on June 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall as part of its 208th regular concert series. Beginning with primordial silence and unfolding toward the emergence of all living things, the performance invites audiences to reflect on the question of how the world itself can be born through song.
Leading the performance will be conductor Min In-ki, artistic director and head of the National Chorus of Korea, who will guide the large-scale ensemble. Joining him as soloists are soprano Kang Hye-jung, tenor Choi Sang-ho, and baritone Jung Rok-ki, all acclaimed performers with extensive international experience.
The National Chorus of Korea will perform alongside members of its youth education ensemble, creating the work’s monumental choral sound. Early music ensemble Camerata Antiqua Seoul will additionally bring historical authenticity to the performance through period-instrument interpretation, recreating the sound world of Haydn’s era.
Through “The Creation,” Haydn transforms the story of the world’s origin into an expansive musical landscape. Storms and deep darkness give way to birdsong, radiant light, and finally the voices of humankind itself. Intricate orchestration and richly layered choral textures intertwine throughout the work, revealing the full artistic height classical choral music can achieve.
More than simply a religious composition, the oratorio offers audiences a moment of reflection on the mystery of existence and the wonder of creation itself. Through the sound created by performers at the height of their craft, listeners are invited to encounter both the grandeur of nature and the profound beauty of human life.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
* This article was manually prepared as a translated piece and later proofread and reviewed with the assistance of AI.
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