One of the most fun parts of singing the chorus parts of Haydn's Creation is the multiple fugue sections of the piece. I count at least 8 movements in which the chorus is singing some sort of fugue. So, you ask, what is a fugue?
Well the best explanation I can give is that it is sort of like having musical conversation where everyone "talks" at once but all agree on the subject. One section of the choir will start in with the subject and then be joined by another section also singing the subject, meanwhile the first has moved on to an agreeing musical counter subject. Once all four groups have come in singing the subject, it move into a free flowing counterpoint. Like four voices agreeing on the same thing, but saying it in different ways and at the same time.
This is a photo representation of Haydn's Creation music that I purchased myself, no copyright infringement is intended.
Let's take this example from The Creation. Starting on page 92 in the middle of the page the Basses come in with "Let all our Joy Resound Aloud" followed by the Tenors, Altos & Sopranos. Then at the top of page 93 the Tenors return in with another subject "Eternal Praise to Him Accord" and it all comes together by the end of page 93. This is just a small fugue section of a larger fugue of a larger work.
So, maybe you're wondering why I think the fugue sections are fun. So lets go back to the idea of a musical conversation. In a non-musical conversation, if four people all talked at once it would sound all garbled. On the other hand, when each "voice" of the choir is singing, together they make beautiful harmonies and rhythms. Its fun to sing, and it is fun to listen to!
So, when you attend our concert on April 2nd, keep your ears open for the fugues. See if you can pick out each section as they sing, or simply enjoy the way they all flow together to create delicious music for your ears. So come for the fugues and stay for all the other wonderful music Haydn's The Creation has to offer!
2 comments:
Interesting that Haydn was inspired to write "Creation" after hearing Handel's "Messiah." There was massive hype about its premier in Vienna - in fact only invited guests were allowed into the hall - but outside a "mob" formed that wanted to get in to hear it and had to be subdued by guards on horseback (They had limited entertainment in those days and definitely no live web casts). Haydn's comments about the premier: "One moment I was cold as ice, the next I seemed on fire. More than once I was afraid I should have a stroke."
I hope any listener won't be so stricken-or only with great joy and hope. When you come to listen, you will leave with a smile and light heart.
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