Haydn’s Creation: New Edition

Planning a performance of The Creation by Haydn? Please consider using my new edition, available for perusal at schildkret.website.

This edition relies primarily on the first publication of the work of 1800, the surviving source that is most connected to Haydn (who had a role in supervising the effort). The English words are closely based on that source, realizing that it is virtually identical to the now-lost original English libretto and not a failed attempt by van Swieten to retranslate from the German. The words fit naturally and make stylistic phrasing possible, a goal that is harder to achieve with other English-language editions.

Articulations and bowings in this score also rely on the 1800 print, which sometimes appears inconsistent. Some of these inconsistencies, however, are intentional; others are clearly printing errors. The errors have been corrected, but the inconsistencies that allow for a more varied performance remain. The bowings, like the text, produce a more stylistic performance from the strings.

Visit the Editions section of the website for more information and to review other editions and arrangements.