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Event
Soli Deo Gloria - Haydn's Creation
Haydn's awe-inspiring masterpiece dramatizes the Biblical creation story from depictions of the Chaos preceding creation through the six days' miraculous wonders, culminating in Adam and Eve's naive frolic in the Garden of Eden. Angels Raphael, Uriel, and Gabriel narrate. A choral music-lover's treasure!
Each of the days of creation follows a similar musical format: a recitative introduction, an aria or two, and a triumphant chorus. Part I covers the first three days and part II the second three days (I guess the second intermission is the 7th day, when God rested). Part III is concerned with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, though omitting the little details about the snake and the forbidden tree, and accompanied by pastoral, innocent music. Overall the composition views the development of the world as the movement of chaos towards order, a theme consistent with the prevailing Age of Enlightenment philosophy, and with Haydn's optimistic religious temperament. While fewer and fewer people in our modern age accept the literal six days of this Creation story, this music still resonates because we still have a yearning for the world to be a more orderly place. As Haydn wrote in a letter in 1802: "A secret voice whispered to me: 'There are in this world so few happy and contented people; sorrow and grief follow them everywhere; perhaps your labour will become a source in which the man bowed down by care, or burdened with business matters, will for a while find peace and rest.'" That is our wish for you. So sit back, relax, and let the unfolding of the Creation calm and rejuvenate your spirit.
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LocationChrist Episcopal Church (View)
1700 Santa Clara Ave
Alameda, CA 94501
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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