Haydn had both German and English texts of the libretto before him when he wrote The Creation. (The original, anonymous libretto was in English; Gottfried van Swieten translated it into German and then retranslated it back into English.) It was this retranslation (which was in fact full of inaccuracies and grammatical errors) that Handel used in creating alternate text settings when the two languages couldn't be musically reconciled. Consequently, and rightly, the English version has been considered inferior and is rarely ...
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Haydn had both German and English texts of the libretto before him when he wrote The Creation. (The original, anonymous libretto was in English; Gottfried van Swieten translated it into German and then retranslated it back into English.) It was this retranslation (which was in fact full of inaccuracies and grammatical errors) that Handel used in creating alternate text settings when the two languages couldn't be musically reconciled. Consequently, and rightly, the English version has been considered inferior and is rarely used. Haydn was adamant, though, that The Creation should be sung in the language of its listeners, and approved translations into a number of languages. Confronted with an inaccurate, unpoetic text and some awkward text setting, conductor Paul McCreesh set about to create a new English translation that fit the composer's musical syntax. His version is graceful and elegant, and sounds completely natural -- it could easily become the standard English version.The original productions of...
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Seller's Description:
Fair. Ex-Library rental. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality. Includes disc(s), case, booklet, and back artwork. Disc(s), case, booklet, and back artwork may contain library/security stickers and ink writing. Case and artwork may show some wear. Case may not be an original jewel case. All disc(s) are authentic.
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Seller's Description:
Very good in very good packaging. 2 discs. Originally released: 2008. Not a CD-R, cutout, promo, music club reissue, or on-demand ArkivMusic reissue: it is the original 2008 Deutsche Grammophon Archiv Production release manufactured in the E.U. with original booklet in English, German, and French notes and libretto.
