Creation, Cross and Everlasting Rest

Preface

Part 1: CREATION - Haydn's The Creation

Introduction

Introducing Joseph Haydn

Introducing Haydn's The Creation

The Message of Haydn's The Creation

(and what to listen out for in the music)

PART ONE

Scene 1: The First Day

Scene 2: The Second Day  

Scene 3: The Third Day  

Scene 4: The Fourth Day

PART TWO

Scene 1: The Fifth Day  

Scene 2: The Sixth Day  

PART THREE

Scene 1: The New World

Scene 2: The Wonders of God's Creation

Scene 3: A Celebration of Marriage

Scene 4: Whispers of the Fall and of Salvation

Part 2: CROSS - Bach's St Matthew Passion

Introduction

Introducing Johann Sebastian Bach

Introducing Bach's St Matthew Passion

The Message of Bach's St Matthew Passion

(and what to listen out for in the music)

PART ONE

Scene 1: Devotion and Plotting

Scene 2: The Lord's Supper  

Scene 3: Gethsemane

PART TWO

Scene 1: The Trial before Caiaphas

Scene 2: Peter and Judas

Scene 3: The Trial before Pilate

Scene 4: The Crucifixion

Scene 5: The Burial

Part 3: EVERLASTING REST - Brahms' Requiem

Introduction

Introducing Johannes Brahms

Introducing Brahms' Requiem  

The Message of Brahms' Requiem

(and what to listen out for in the music)

Movement 1: Sorrow and Joy  

Movement 2: Transience and Permanence

Movement 3: Mortality and Security

Movement 4: Longing and Fulfilment

Movement 5: Sadness and Comfort  

Movement 6: Time and Eternity  

Movement 7: Toil and Rest

Conclusion

Appendices

1. Index of biblical and apocryphal references

2. Index of major topics and Bible characters  

3. Musical glossary

4. A comparison of the Gottfried van Swieten and Vincent Novello versions of the libretto of The Creation

5. German text of Brahms' Requiem, with English translation