Haydn The Creation
22 March 2025
Hadyn’s Creation in Salisbury Cathedral
A near-capacity audience filled the Cathedral last Saturday evening to hear Haydn’s greatest masterpiece, The Creation. Yet again the Salisbury Musical Society reached the highest standards of excellence, for which its conductor David Halls must take huge credit. For this concert the large choir of some 130 voices, plus three distinguished soloists, was supported by The Hanover Band, making its first visit to Salisbury. This internationally famous orchestra specialises in 18th century music and uses period instruments, perfect for Hadyn’s score. The performance used the English version of the text, with its curious word order and language. There were no cuts at all – but brisk tempi and forward momentum made the evening pass without the slightest hint of languor. Jon Hampton provided excellent and informative programme notes.
From the first moments, it was clear we were to experience a performance of the highest quality. The eerie dissonances of the opening Representation of Chaos suddenly give way to one of Hadyn’s most dramatic musical surprises – the appearance of Light, with a prolonged fortissimo C major chord. Then followed “affrighted hell’s spirits” rushing down with chromatic scales to the deep abyss. And so it went on, with brilliant orchestral playing, superb soloists, and wonderfully precise singing from the SMS choir. The evocations in sound of the newly created sun and moon, the oceans, fish, the great leviathan, insects, heavy beasts and various animals.
Regarding the choral singing, it was admirable to hear such clarity and precision. This never faltered, even when faced with brisk tempi and complex rapid runs. To have a large choir sing so fast and with such unanimity must reflect many hours of hard practice. Balance with the orchestra was excellent throughout, possibly made easier because the period instruments of the Hanover Band were quieter than their modern equivalents,
The three magnificent soloists were Eleanor Dennis (soprano), Guy Cutting (tenor) and Malachy Frame (bass). All have extensive recital and operatic experience and their voices effortlessly filled the vast space of the Cathedral. It is difficult to single out individual arias for comment, but if pressed I would put “With verdure clad” at the top of the list for sheer beauty. Equally beautiful were the duets and trios, with perhaps the love duet between Adam and Eve in part 3 taking top place.
Everybody will have their special memories of this splendid concert. For me the tremendous long crescendos and soaring soprano soloist in “The Lord is great” will not be forgotten. But I also very much liked the tiny twinkling cadence from the harpsicord after the words “He made the stars also”.
Dr Richard Godfrey
Reviewer