Your guide to classical music online

Haydn: Creation/McCreesh

David Hurwitz

Artistic Quality:

Sound Quality:

Paul McCreesh, like Christopher Hogwood, uses the original forces that Haydn expected in this work: that is, triple winds, double trumpets and timpani, and a large body of strings and choristers. The result, quite similar to the earlier recording, is glorious. The eruption of light, the first sunrise, and the pivotal choruses that close each section (not to mention the great duet with choir in Part 3) sound magnificent. So does “Chaos”, which is played to the hilt, all of its strange muted colors and quirky harmonies drawn out for maximum effect. This also bodes very well for the accompanied recitatives in Part 2 illustrating the creation of the various animals and the features of the natural world.

The lineup of soloists is very strong, led by the Gabriel of Sandrine Piau. Tenor Mark Padmore handles his aria “In Native Worth” very well, though he’s a touch stiff and “English oratorio-ish” in the recitatives, but bass Neal Davies does a fine job with Raphael’s music all around, and his is the largest and most important solo part. Peter Harvey and Miah Persson offer warm and believable portraits of Adam and Eve in Part 3. From a purely vocal point of view, this is certainly one of the finest and most stylish Creations available in any format.

McCreesh opts for the original English text, with modifications to modernize the syntax a bit. It works well enough, but I wonder why artists from English-speaking countries feel that they are qualified in this respect. Is it because English is a “literary” language and all those born to it assume that they are inherently superior to those who were not? No matter: McCreesh’s polishing doesn’t add to or diminish his superb achievement in what matters most–the music. The sonics are impressively full in the choruses, a bit less focused in more lightly scored passages, particularly regarding the woodwinds; but if you’re looking for an authentically-sized Creation on period instruments, then this version, or Hogwood’s, will surely satisfy. [4/7/2008]

« Back to Search Results


Recording Details:

Reference Recording: Hogwood (L'Oiseau Lyre), Spering (Naxos)

JOSEPH HAYDN - The Creation

  • Record Label: Archiv - 477 7361
  • Medium: CD

Search Music Reviews

Search Sponsor

  • Insider Reviews only
  • Click here for Search Tips

Visit Our Merchandise Store

Visit Store
  • Ideally Cast Met Revival of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette
    Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, NY; March 19, 2024—The Met has revived Bartlett Sher’s 1967 production of Gounod’s R&J hot on the heels of its
  • An Ozawa Story, November, 1969
    Much has justifiably been written regarding Seiji Ozawa’s extraordinary abilities and achievements as a conductor, and similarly about his generosity, graciousness, and sense of humor
  • Arvo Pärt’s Passio At St. John The Divine
    Cathedral of St John the Divine, New York, NY; January 26, 2024—When one thinks of musical settings of Christ’s Passion, one normally thinks of the