Washington Bach Consort presents season finale concert: Haydn’s Die Schöpfung (The Creation)

In the final installment of their 2023-24 Director’s Series, the Washington Bach Consort, under the leadership of Artistic Director Dana Marsh, presents Haydn’s Die Schöpfung (The Creation) on Sunday, April 21 at 4 p.m. at the National Presbyterian Church (4101 Nebraska Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016). Ticket prices range from $10-79 and are available for purchase at https://bachconsort.org/die-schopfung/

Completed five decades after Bach’s death, Die Schöpfung (The Creation) exhibits a significant milestone in the development of the oratorio genre. Strongly influenced by the high Baroque style of George Frederic Handel, Haydn tells the creation story as described in the book of Genesis through lavish tone painting and choral forces.

Beginning with the musical representation of the chaos that precedes creation, Haydn’s extraordinary orchestral introduction captivates the listener from the very first note. The oratorio, divided into three parts, then recounts the six days of creation as told by the archangels Raphael, Uriel, and Gabriel. The third and final part outlines the tale of Adam and Eve, culminating in a loving and joyous duet between the two as they marvel at the earthly paradise of Eden.

This epic work is best experienced live, sung in the language of its premiere performance (German) and played on period instruments of the Classical era, allowing for the deepest possible level of connection with the musical drama. Featured soloists include soprano Michele Kennedy, tenor Thomas Cooley, and bass Edmund Milly, who will contribute their masterful vocal artistry to the production, bringing the story to life on stage.

“Haydn is a vastly underrated composer, in my view, and Creation reveals him at the very top of his craft, having been influenced strongly by the oratorios of Handel during his ‘celebrity’ visits to England in the early and mid-1790s,” Marsh said. “Orchestrally and chorally the work is an undeniable tour de force, with certain attributes of the writing reaching well into the nineteenth century.”

Audiences can join the Washington Bach Consort before the concert at 3 p.m. for “Talking Bach,” a series of free pre-concert lectures by noted Bach scholar, Dr. Michael Marissen.

The Washington Bach Consort

Founded in 1977 by the late Dr. J. Reilly Lewis, the Washington Bach Consort is a professional choral and period-instrument ensemble based in Washington, DC, led since 2018 by Artistic Director, Dr. Dana Marsh, presenting over 25 live concerts each season. On October 3 2023, the Acis label released the ensemble’s newest album, Myths Contested, with the music of J.S. Bach, and a world premiere recording of a commissioned work by composer, Trevor Weston. 

The Bach Consort is noted for its historically informed performances of 18th-century music on period instruments. As one of the DC area’s most critically acclaimed and nationally recognized performing ensembles, the group has made regular appearances with the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington Performing Arts, and the Cathedral Choral Society. In addition, the Bach Consort has appeared at numerous festivals and on a number of European tours. Recordings include Bach’s complete motets, both J.S. and C.P.E. Bach’s Magnificats, the first American recording of the masses in F major and G minor, and three solo soprano cantatas with opera luminary Elizabeth Futral. Having completed Bach’s entire 215-cantata cycle, the Consort continues to present these works free of cost to the Washington DC public. The Library of Congress has welcomed the Washington Bach Consort recording and concert program archives into its permanent collection.

In August 2018, the Bach Consort welcomed Dana Marsh as its Artistic Director. Acclaimed by The Washington Post as “a superb choral conductor, energetic and precise,” Marsh has worked variously as an accomplished organist, vocalist, conductor and musicologist. He is Professor of Music and Director of the Historical Performance Institute at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

In May 2019, the Council of the District of Columbia honored the Washington Bach Consort in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the Consort’s annual series of free classical music performances. In a written proclamation, the Council cited the Consort’s musical mission to “enrich the quality of life” by “recognizing that not everyone is able to afford a regular subscription concert ticket” and celebrated the Consort’s attempt to “reach as many people as possible.”

Following a performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in December 2019, the Washington Post opined that the Bach Consort “could go head-to-head with period performance ensembles anywhere.” For further information please visit bachconsort.org

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