Music Throwback Saturday: The Creation

The salesperson wondered if I meant the Haydn piece; no, that’s not

creationMany, many years ago, I was a member of the choir at Binghamton (NY) Central High School, and we sang something called the Creation. The text is based on the first three verses of the Book of Genesis in the Bible.

When we performed this, the presentation was very dramatic in that the lights would dim as the lyrics “and darkness fell upon the face of the deep.” At the point where we sang, “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light,” all the lights came on. We used to memorize the music we sang.

I have never sung The Creation again, and I had never heard anyone else perform it. Nevertheless, I was pretty sure I could still sing most of the bass line, nearly fifty years later.

I couldn’t look at the piece, though, because I didn’t remember who the composer was. When I went to a local sheet music store, now defunct (alas!), and tried to replicate the sound, the salesperson wondered if I meant the Haydn piece; no, that’s not it.

Fortunately, my sister Leslie, who I’m sure could still sing the alto line, recently found a copy of the music. It was written by Willy Richter (1914-1984). She directs a choir part-time and wants her group to perform it. I’d crash her choir except for the fact that she’s 3000 miles away.

Though I sang it with males and females, there are arrangements for men only as well.

Listen to The Creation by Willy Richter

USD Chamber Singers

The NJHSA Chorale at Pascack Bible Church

Luther College Collegiate Chorale

Gary D. Gardner/Michiana Male Chorus

Listen to

THE CREATION (Franz Joseph Haydn), which is a very long piece. From 7:45 to 10:30 – it matches the scripture covered by Richter. Do you hear any musical similarities?

Next week, back to pop tunes.

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