Haydn: The Creation (Bernstein)

The story

Haydn’s Creation, the culmination of his life’s work, in a legendary 1986 performance conducted by Leonard Bernstein in the exquisite Baroque splendor of the Benedictine Abbey of Ottobeuren, Bavaria, now available on DVD for the first time. This spectacular performance also includes Bernstein’s spoken introduction to the performance —always an invaluable addition to any concert. This work, considered by many to be Haydn’s masterpiece, depicts the creation of the world as inspired by the texts of Genesis, the Book of Psalms and Milton’s Paradise Lost. Though deeply religious in conception, the oratorio gives a physical sense of the immensity of nature and the world’s creation. “The Creation gives us time to remember—and rejoice in— the purity and grace and fortitude of Nature, to restore our souls, to recover our moral strength, and to rediscover our power to praise”—Leonard Bernstein

Cast & crew

Judith BlegenCast

Lucia PoppCast

Thomas MoserCast

Kurt Ollmann

Kurt OllmannCast

Kurt MollCast

Leonard BernsteinConductor

Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks

Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen RundfunksOrchestra