The Seasons (Haydn)

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The musical work The Seasons is a secular oratorio by Joseph Haydn , 1732–1809, premiered in 1801 ( Hob. XXI: 3). It was the last of his four oratorios.

Composition, premiere and reception

Haydn's composition of the seasons was inspired by the great success of his previous oratorio The Creation (1798), which was performed all over Europe at the time. As with that work, the libretto for The Seasons was written by Baron Gottfried van Swieten , an Austrian nobleman who also had a great influence on Mozart's career. Van Swieten's libretto was his own German rendition of an excerpt from the English verse epic of James Thomson's The Seasons .

The composition was laborious for Haydn, partly because of his bad health and partly because van Swieten's text did not convince him. It took him two years to complete The Seasons .

The premiere on April 24, 1801 in Vienna was a success, but it was not comparable to that of the creation . In the years that followed, The Seasons were performed significantly less often than the earlier oratorio.

The reason for the lower popularity is sought less in the music than in the libretto. Oratorios were typically written on Christian topics and often drew their textual bases from the Bible or the stories of saints. The libretto of the seasons, on the other hand, is largely descriptive of the cycle of the year and day. Only the final movement addresses topics recognized as being more valuable (the meaning of life, eternal life ). Strikingly, these final passages are not translations from Thomson's poem, but rather original works by van Swieten.

In terms of content, the seasons therefore correspond neither to a religious oratorio nor to the ideal of a work of art in the spirit of the Enlightenment ; their cheerful and haunting descriptions of nature and transfigurations of rural life rather show the influence of Rousseau's philosophy . The position of Haydn in this area of ​​tension cannot be finally clarified. Haydn commented ironically on the ode to diligence (although he had been diligent all his life, he was asked for the first time to write a choir in praise of diligence), which glorified a sober work ethic - corresponding irony may also be found in the musical design can be recognized by unusual voice guidance - on the other hand, also humorous fun at the wine festival of the country folk (“I've never written such a comical counterpoint and such a drunk fugue”). Haydn's designation of the libretto as “French apostasy” is again an indication of a rejection of Rousseau's theses, without any identification with the ethical spirit of the Enlightenment, as it emerges more strongly in creation .

occupation

Die Jahreszeiten is written for a large late classical orchestra , mostly a four-part choir and three vocal soloists, who archetypically represent the country folk: Simon (bass), Lukas (tenor), and Hanne (soprano). The cast of the solo voices is thus the same as in creation .

The orchestra consists of two flutes (2nd also piccolo ), two oboes , two clarinets , two bassoons and contrabassoon , four French horns , two (three in the final chorus) trumpets , kettledrum , triangle , tambourine , two trombones and bass trombone as well as the usual string ensemble first and second violin , viola , cello , and double bass . For the secco recitatives : harpsichord or fortepiano (violoncello and double bass ad libitum ).

content

The oratorio consists of four parts , corresponding to spring , summer , autumn and winter , with the usual recitatives , arias and choirs .

Among the livelier choral movements are a hunting song with French horn sounds, a wine festival with dancing peasants, and an angry storm, the latter two elements seeming foreshadowing the third and fourth movements of Beethoven's pastoral symphonies . More lyrical passages are the choir prayer for a rich harvest, "Be gracious now, mild sky", the gentle onset of night that follows the storm, and Hannes Cavatine for winter.

The composition is - as in the creation  - often illustrative and painterly. For example, a plowing farmer at work the familiar theme from Haydn's symphony with the bang , a bird shot by a hunter also falls down musically, a sunrise is portrayed in a radiant D major.

After two hours of such secular scenes from nature and rural life, the work closes with an invocation to God and an amen .

Music numbers

The seasons are divided into four parts: "Spring", "Summer", "Autumn" and "Winter".

The spring

1. Overture and Recitative - See how the severe winter flees

The introduction is an overture that introduces the transition from winter to spring. This is followed by a recitative for soprano, tenor and bass, in which spring is announced.

2. Come on, sweet spring

The country folk choir asks for the early arrival of spring.

3. Now radiate from Aries

Simon's recitative (bass)

4. The farmer is already running happily

Aria of simon (bass)

5. The farmer has done his work

Luke's recitative (tenor)

6. Now be gracious

Trio and choir

7. Our plea is heard

Hanne's recitative (soprano)

8. Oh how lovely is the sight

Joy choir with alternating choir of youth

9. Eternal, Mighty, Good God

Choir with solo voices

The summer

10. Introduction and recitative - In the gray veil approaches

The summer is introduced with a short instrumental introduction. In the following recitative, Simon (bass) welcomes the new day.

11. The lively shepherd is now gathering

Aria and recitative by Simon (bass) and Hanne (soprano)

12. The sun is rising

Trio and choir

13. Now it stirs and moves

Simon's recitative (bass)

14. The midday sun is burning now

Luke's recitative (tenor)

15. Nature succumbs to pressure

A cavatina of Luke (tenor)

16. Welcome now, O dark grove

Hanne's recitative (soprano)

17. What refreshment for the senses

Hanne's Aria (soprano)

18. O see! It rises in the humid air

Recitative Simon, Lukas, Hanne

19. Oh, the storm is approaching

Choir

20. The gloomy clouds separate

Trio and choir

The autumn

21. Introduction and recitative - What through its bloom

Autumn is introduced with a short instrumental introduction. In the following recitative, Hanne (soprano), Lukas (tenor) and Simon (bass) welcome the new season.

22. He now has the rich supply

Luke's recitative (tenor)

23. This is how nature rewards diligence

Trio and choir

24. See how the hazel bush there

Recitative by Hanne (soprano), Lukas (tenor) and Simon (bass)

25. You beauties from town

Duet by Hanne (soprano) and Lukas (tenor)

26. Now show the bared field

Simon's recitative (bass)

27. Look at the broad meadows

Aria of simon (bass)

28. A dense circle is floating here

Luke's recitative (tenor)

29. Hear, hear, the loud noise

Hunting choir

30. The vine is now blinking

Recitative Hanne, Simon, Lukas

31. Juchhe! The wine is there

Country Folk Choir

The winter

32-33. Introduction and recitative - Now the pale year is descending

In the orchestral introduction the approaching winter is represented musically, it is a slow, dark piece. Then follows a recitative by Hanne (soprano) and Simon (bass)

34. Light and life are weakened

Cavatina of Hanne (soprano)

35. The broad lake stands tied up

Luke's recitative (tenor)

36. Here the wanderer stands now

Aria of Luke (tenor)

37. As it approaches

Recitative by Hanne (soprano), Lukas (tenor) and Simon (bass)

38. Growl, purr, growl

Song with Hanne (soprano) and choir

39. The flax is spun off

Luke's recitative (tenor)

40. A girl who was honored

Song with Hanne (soprano) and choir

41. A sharp puff of ice penetrates from the arid east

Simon's recitative (bass)

42. Look here, beguiled man

Aria of simon (bass)

43. She stays alone and guides us

Simon's recitative (bass)

44. Then the big morning dawns

Trio and double choir

literature

See also

Web links