Joyously Guiltfree Haydn's 'Creation' - heard by ROBERT ANDERSON 'Haydn is on top form throughout ...'

Whether the film accompanying this set is a plus or a minus I am not sure. It is reasonable enough to have amoebas dashing across the screen at the outset; altogether suitable to be reminded that Michelangelo dealt with the story of creation; and fascinating to see the cast playing table tennis with 'The Representation of Chaos' as background music. It is also a great pleasure to observe how Canaletto represented the London of Haydn's day, but dismal indeed to think what we have made of it since. If it is entertaining to muse with Julia Kleiter's Gabriel on whether an angel can really be feminine (Cardinal Newman thought not, but Haydn and Elgar dared to disagree), this conductor might certainly try to make more practical use of his left hand.This was indeed printed in the original full score, along with a version in German by Baron van Swieten...

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN

VIENNA

AUSTRIA

GERMANY

CHORAL MUSIC