UMS Concert Program, June 10, 1881: Creation -- Calvin B. Cady

University Hall

IN HAYDN'S ORATORIO OF THE
Conducted by PROFESSOR CALVIN B, CADY,
KENDKliED WITH TUB ASSISTANCE OF THE FOLLOWING DISTINGUISHED SOLO TA1ENT:
MRS. GRACE HILTZGLEASON,
Of the Herschey School of Music, Chicago, SOPRANO
PROF. W.B. CHAMBERLAIN,
Of the Oberlin Conservatory oi
MR. FRANZ REMMERTZ,
Of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. TENOR.
Of New York City, BASSO.
XjOTJTSE; HTJOGINS, Pianist.
UNIVERSITY HALL, JUNE 10, 1881.
COURIER PRINT, ANN ARI1OR.
By JOSEPH HAYDN.
'((
fOSEPH HAYDN, the third in order of time of the great classical composers, was born in Bolirau, Austria, in 1782, and died at Vienna in 1800. After struggling bravely and cheerfully for several years with poverty and obscurity, he finally secured the position of private organist to Prince Esterhassy, and from this time his life was singularly peaceful and fortunate. He left an immense amount of music behind him, chiefly instrumental, symphonies, sonatas, and especially quartettes and quintettes for .stringed intruments; indeed, he may be considered as the founder of chamber music. But he also left several masses, and two oratorios: The Creation, and The Seasons.
The Creation was inspired by hearing several of Handel's oratorios while on a visit to England in the latter part of the l.Sth century. The author worked on it for more than a year, and it is said that he never sat down to write without first kneeling and asking divine help. Nowhere else are Haydn's peculiar excellencies more apparent, and the libretto is exceedingly well chosen to display them. His sunny nature was not well fitted for the representation of the majesty and terror of the divine name, as represented by Handel in the wonderful choruses of Israel in Egypt, nor on the other hand would he have reached the profound pity and tenderness of some of the choruses in The Messiah. The goodness of God and the praise and thanks which his goodness causes to spring up in the hearts of his creatures, give the prevailing character to the music.
The oratorio is divided into three parts, the first, embracing the creation up to the close of the fourth day, the second, up to the close of the sixth day, and the third, representing the seventh day, the first Sabbath.
First Pabt.--After an introduction representing chaos, and a short recitative, the chorus announces the creation of light. The air and chorus which follow, depict the dedarture of the evil spirit of chaos and darkness, and the upspring of a new created world into
beauty and light; the two principal themes are contrasted with great skill and beauty. After a recitative announcing the work of the second day, the angels, (Gabriel at their head) break out in amaze ment at the marvelous work of God. Then a fine bass solo announces in two admirably contrasted movements, the creation of the waters under the heaven ; the music itself suggests the tumult of the sea and the murmur of the brook. An exquisite soprano follows, in which are all the freshness and peace of tree and flower, of meadow and grove. Then the chorus sounds forth the praise of him who hath "clothed both heaven and earth in stately dress." After a recital announcing the creation of the heavenly bodies, the first part closes with the wellknown and inspiring chorus, " The Heavens are Tell ing," the adoration grows more and more fervent with every measure, until the majestic close.
Second Pakt.--A soprano solo, " On Mighty Pens," describes the creation of the birds; the eagle, the lark, the dove, the nightingale, each has its appropriate strain, conceived with wonderful truth and delicacy. After a recitative announcing the creation of the fishes, comes a trio with chorus, " The Lord is great, his glory lasts for ever," a noble composition, full of the ardor of praise. A bass recitative follows, announcing, in passages of great descriptive power, the crea tion of animals, the flexible tiger, the patient cattle, the nimble stag, the sinuous worm, appear upon the earth. But it is annnounced in a fine bass solo that something is yet wanting to complete the work, a soul to admire and adore. The tenor solo which follows proclaims in fit strains the appearance of. Him who is the Lord and King of nature, the breath and image of his God. The trio which follows sings of the dependence of every thing which breathes upon the Lord, who imparts life and strength to all. The second part concludes with a grand chorus in praise of Him who alone reigns on high.
Tjtiui) Part.--Here the scene is Paradise; a tenor recitative anno'unces the dawning day, at whose approach Adam and Eve bless his name, and the chorus join in magnifying and exalting his power. A charming duet follows, in which our first parents express their mutual love and confidence, and the oratorio concludes with a chorus of fervent praise and adoration. The Lord is great! His praise
SHALL LAST FOR AYE !
LIBEETTO.
INTRODUCTION.--REPUESEXTATTON OF CHAOS.
IlEfiT.-Raphael. In the beginning, God cre ated the heaven and tin earth; and the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the fan; of the deep.
Cnouf.--And the Spirit of God moved upon the faee of the waters: and God said. Let there he light, and there was light.
Uecit. -I'riel. And God saw the light that it was good ; and God divided the light from the darkness,
AIR.
Now vanish, before the holy beams. The gloomy shades of ancient night: The first of days appears. Now chaos ends and order fair prevails: Afflighted tied, hell spirits black In throngs; Down they sink in the deep abyss To endless night.
Chorus.
Despairing cursing rage attends their rapid fall: A newcreated world springs up at God's com mand.
Rehit.-Raphael. And God made the firma ment, and divided the waters which were under the tirnuuiii'iit from the waters which were above the liriuiiMH'iit. :ind it was so. Now furious storms tempestuous rage; AschalT, by the winds uiv impelled the clouds; By heaven's tire, the sky is luilained; And awful thunders are rolling on high:
Now from the floods In streams ascend reviving showers of rain.
The dreary wasteful hall, the light nnd tlaky snow.
AlU.--Gabrial.
The marvelous work behold amazed The glorious hierarchy of heaven; And to th' ethereal vaults resound The praise of God and of the second day.
Chorus.
And to th' ethereal vaults resound
The praise of God and of the second day.
rEctt.-Raphael. And God Bald, Let the wa ters undent the heavens 1h gut ho red together Into one place, nml let tlie dry huid appear, and It was so. Ami (tod called the'drv land eartli, and the. gathering of waters culled lie sens; aniUiod saw that it was good.
AIR.
Kolltng in foaming billow
rpliftcd. roars tin boisterous Hen,
Mountains and roeks mnv emerge.
Their tops Into the eloimds ascend.
Through the open plains outstretching wide,
In serpent error rivers flow.
Softly purling glides on
Through silent vales the limped brooks.
Rkcit. -ddbriel. Andtiod said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed mid the fruittret! yielding fmil after his kind, whose seed Is in itself upon the earth; and it was so.
AIR.
"With verdure chid the fields appear.
Delightful to the ravlsh'd sense;
By flowers sweet and gay
Enhanced is the ehiirinlng sight.
Merc fragrant herbs iheir odours shed;
Hiiv shoois the iKiiling plant:
With copious fruit the expanded houghs are
hung;
In leafy arches twine the shady groves O'er lofty hills majestic forces wave.
Www.--Uriel. And the heavenly host pro claimed the third day, praising (.tod, and saying:--
ClIOHITH.
Awake the harp, the lyre; awake. And let your Joyful song resound, Rejoice In the Lord, the mighty Cod: For lie both the heaven anil the carlli Hath (dotlied In stately dress.
lKciT.l'nel. And (ind said. Let there he light in the lirinnuent of heaven, to divide tIn day from the night, and to give light upon the earth; and let them be for signs uml for seasons, and for days and for years. He made the stars also.
Rkcit, --Accompanied.
In splendor bright is lining now the sun,
And duns his rays; a joyful, happy spouse.
A giant proud and glad
To run his measured course.
With softer beams and milder light,
Steps on the silver moon through silent night:
The apace Immense of azure sky, In numerous hosts of radiant orbs adorns. The sotiH God announce the fourth day, In song divine, proclaiming thua Ilia power. Chorus.
The heaveiiH ure telling the glory of God. Tlie wonder of His work displays the llrmanent. TUIO.
To day that is coming speaks It the day, The night that has gone to following night.
Chorus.
The heavens are telling the glory of God, The wonder of Ills work displays the firmament. In all the lands resound the word, Xever unpiTceived. ever understood. The heavens are telling tlie glory of God, The wonder of Ills work displays the firmament.
TlT.Ci.--Gabriel. And God sutd. Let the waters bring forth abundantls the moving creature than hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth it the open llrmament of heaven.
All!.
On mighty pens uplifted soars
The eagle"aloft, and cleaves the air
In swiftest flight to the blazing sun.
His welcome bids to morn tlie merry lark.
And riming ealls til"' lender dove his mate.
Krom evrry bush and grove resound
The nightingale's delightful notes;
Ko grief Affected yet her breast.
Nor to a mournful tale were tu'd
Her soft enchanting lays.
IIkcit.-liaithnet. And God created groat whales, and every living creature that moveth; and (Jod blessed them, saying, lv fruitful and multiply.
Ye winged tribes, be multiplied. And sing in every tree, multiply, Ye tinny tribes, and till each watery deep: He fruitful; grow and multiply, Ami h) God and Lord rejoiee.
And the angels struek their immortal harps and the wonders of the flfili day sung.
TUIO.
Gabriel.--Most beautiful appear, with verdure
young adorn'd The gently sloping bills; their narrow sinuous
veins Distil, in crystal drops, the fountain fresh and
bright.
I'rlel. -n lofty circles play, and hover in the air. Tin; cheerful host of birds; and in the Hying
whirl, The glittering plumes are dyed as rainbows by
the sun.
Raphael.Sea flushing through tin1 wet in thronged swarms
The Hsh mi thousand ways around.
Upheaved fnnn the deep, tlie Immense leviathan
Spurts on tin1 foaming wave.
Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael.
Mow ninny are thy works, O God ! Wiui may their numbers tell!
TRIO AND CHORUS.
The Lord is grant, and great His might,
His glory lusts for ever and for evermore.
IEkcit. -llnjiiKiet. And (iod said. Let the earth bring foilh the living cream re after his kind; cat tle, uud creeping tiling, and beast of the earth, after his kind.
Straight opening her fertile womb,
The onrth obey d the word.
And teeni'd creatures numberless.
In perfect forms, and fully grown. Cheerful roaring .stands the tawny lion. With
sudden leap
The flexible tiger appprars. The nimble stag Bears up his branching head. With flying mane And ilery look, impatient neighs the noble steed. The cattle, in herds, already seek their food On fields and meadows green. And o'er i he ground as plants are spread The tleeey, meek, and bleating tloocks rnnumbered as Hie sands in swarms arose The busts of insects. In long dimension Creeps with sinuous trace the worm.
AIR.
Now heaven in fullest glory shone: Karth sinil'd in all her rich attire; Tir room of air by fmvl is flU'd; The waier swell'u by shoals of fish; Ity heavy beasis the ground is trod: llilt ail I he work was not complete; There wanted yet ihat wondrous being. That, grateful, should (iod's power admire. With heart and voice His goodness praise.
Kkcit. -Uriel, And (iod created man in his own image, in the imaure of (Jnd created He him. Mule and female created lie them.
He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.
AIU.
In native worth and honour clad.
With beauty, couraire, strength, adorn'd.
Krect. with" front serein1, he stands
A man, the lord and king of nature all.
His larire und arched brow sublime.
Of wisdom deep declared I he seat!
And In his eyes with briirhtness shines
The soul, the breath and image of his Clod.
Wish fondness leans upon his breast
The partner for him form'd,
A woman, fair and graceful spouse.
Her sofily smiling, virgin looks,
of llow'ry sprint; the mirror,
Itespeak him love, and joy, and bliss.
Ukcit.--i'ttfi(tei. Ami God saw everything that he hud made, and behold It was very good: and the heavenly choir, In song divine, thus closed the sixth day :
Chorus.
Achieved is the glorious work; The Lord beholds it, nnd Is pleas'd. In lofty st minus let us rejoice. Our song let Ik the praise of God,
TlilO--Gabnel and Uriel. On Thee each living soul awaits, From Thee, O Lord, all soek their food. Thou openest thy hand,
Raphael.
But when Thy face, O Lord, Is hid. With sudden terror they are struck Thou tak'st their breath away. They vanish into dust.
Oabrial, Uriel, and Raphael.
Thou nendest forth Thy breath again, And life with vigor fresh returns: Ilevived earth unfolds new strength And new delights.
Ciionrs.
Achieved In the glorious work; Our song let he the praise of God. Glory to His Name for ever. He, sole, on high, exalted reigns.
Hallelujah.
INTRODUCTION.-Recit.--Uriel.
In rosy mantle, appears, by music sweet awak'd,
The morning, young and fair;
From heaven's angelic choir
Pure harmony descends, on ravlsh'd earth.
Behold tli blissful imlr,
When hand hi hand they K; their glowing looks
Kxpress the thanks that, swell their grateful
hearts.
A louder praise of God their lips Shall utter soon: then let our voices ring t'ntide with their song..
DUET.-Adam and Eve.
By Thee with bliss, O bounteous Lord, The heavon and earth are star'd. This world so great, so wonderful. Thy mighty hand has f ram'd.
CHORUS.
God ever blessed be His power, His Name be ever magnified.
Ukcit.-Adam.
Our duty wo have now perform'd.
In nOVring up In io1 our thanks.
Xow follow i)i dear piiriiH'i1 of my life;
Thy guide I'll he; mid every step
I'nurs new delight Into our breasts.
Shows wonders everywhere.
Then mav'st tliou feel and know the sigh degree
of bliss flu Kurd allotted us.
And with devoted heart His bounties clebrate
Come, follow mi', thy guide I'll hi1.
So God our Lord ordains, anil from obedience
Grows my pride and happiness.
T)VKT.--Aitim and Eve.
Adam. Graceful consort, at thy side Softly IIy thepilden tiours; Ev'ry inoiiic.nt briiiKS new rapture; Ev'ry care is lull'd to rest.
Ere. Spouse adorned, at thy Bide,
Purest joys o'rrdow the heart: Life and alt 1 have Ih thine, My reward thy love shall be.
Both. The dewdrooping morn, ( how ahe
quickens all!
The coolness of ov'n, O how she all re stores ! How grateful is of fruits the saviour
sweet! How pleasing is of fragrant bloom the
smell!
But, with the, what is to me The morning dew,--the breath of ev'n-The Hiiv'ry fruit,--the fragrant bloomV "With thee is every joy enhanced, With thee Is life Incessant IiIIhh, Thine, thine it all shall he.
Keoit. -(Trie!.
O happy pair, and happy si ill might be
If not misled by false conceit
Ye strive at more than granted in.
And more desire to know than know ye should.
Cuoitrs.
Sing the Lord ye voices all,
Celebrate His name thro all creation
Celebrate Ills power and glory. Let His name resound on high, jehovalfs praise for ever shall endure.
Amen.
"Mr. Remmertz kindly made good the vacancy in the cast (Mehpistopheles), caused by the temporary indisposition of Mr. M. W. Whitney, and in him the absence was forgotten, as Mr. Remmertz gave an interpretation of the Mephistopheles role that could hardly be improved upon."--Boston Herald.
" As an interpreter of German songs she is equaled by few singers in America, and her voice, which is a high soprano of unusual volume and richness, as well as flexibility, has been carefully cultivated. She was for a rumber of years a pupil of Mrs. Sara HersheyEddy, of Chicago, and has more recently been studying in Boston with Geo. L. Osgdod, Chas. It. Adams, and Julius Jordon. She is already one of the most finished vocalists in this country, and has met with remark able success upon the concert stage for several years past. In this recital Mrs. Gi.eason was assisted by Win. H. Sherwood, the eminent Boston Pianist, who played a number of selections from Chopin, Schumann, and Liszt, in a truly magnificent manner. Both artists received the warmest tokens of appreciation from their audience, which contained many of the most prominent citizens of Providence." --N. Y. Musical Courier.
" The tenor solo by Prof. Chamberlain, ' Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow,' was given with such rare delicacy, such wonderful pathos and power of expression as to cause the audi ence to listen with bated breath."-Oberlin Ncivs.
" Mrs. Glbason's voice is both sweet and full, and her singing of a group of songs by Scarlatti, Hasse, and Rotoli proved that her school ing had been in the best methods, while her interpretation of a suite
of songs by Franz, made a pleasing impression by the propriety of expression with which she invested them. Mr. Feininger is a highly accomplished violinist, who at once won the favor of his audience by the beauty of his performance of a selection by Ernst, for which he received an encore."--Boston Saturday Evening Gazette.
"An especial meed of praise is due Pkof. Chamberlain for his masterful rendering of the solo, with its difficult intervals, ' He shall break them in pieces.' The breaking and dashing in pieces, 'like a a potter's vessel,' was given with a tine, dramatic power, yet without any sacrifice of tine vocal action."--Ohcrlin News.
" Mrs. Gkace HiltzGleason gave a song recital last Friday. Her programme comprised twentythree songs, of Mendelssohn, Schu mann, Schubert, and Franz, to each of which the singer gave its appropriate interpretation. The mere execution of such a series of works is a task of great difficulty, and their performance with such spirit and discrimination and with no signs of fatigue, is a sufficient proof of Mrs. HiltzGleason's artistic ability and the great breadth of her musical culture."--Chicago Sat. Ere. Herald.
" The duets by Mrs. Rice and Prof. Chamberlain, from ' The Golden Legend,' were greally enjoyed. ' The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God,' was a fitting close to a delightful entertainment."-Oberlin News.