The Seasons (Haydn)
The Music Factory The Seasons is an oratorio by Joseph Haydn ( Hob XXI: 3).
Composition, Premiere and reception
Haydn was to compose the Seasons by the great success of his previous oratorio The Creation ( 1798) suggested that it was performed at this time in Europe. As in that work, the libretto was written to The Seasons of Baron Gottfried van Swieten, an Austrian nobleman, who had also had a great influence on Mozart's career. Van Swieten's libretto was his own German Play an extract from the English epic poem by James Thomson's The Seasons.
The composition was difficult for Haydn, on the one hand because of his failing health, on the other hand, because not convinced him van Swieten's text. It took him two years to complete Seasons.
Although the premiere on April 24, 1801 in Vienna, was a success, but he was not the creation comparable. Also in the following years, the seasons were much less likely to appear than the earlier oratorio.
The reason for the lower popularity is sought less in the music than in the libretto. Oratories were typically written to supposedly important topics to episodes and characters from Christianity or heroes of classical, Greek or Roman mythology. The libretto of the seasons, however, is largely descriptive in relation to the annual and daily circle. Only the final sentence says (the meaning of life, eternal life ) as a valuable recognized topics. This final passages are strikingly enough, no translations of the poem by Thomson, but original works van Swieten.
The seasons correspond therefore content neither a religion-based oratory still the ideal work of art in the spirit of the Enlightenment, its amusing and vivid descriptions of nature and transfiguration of country life rather show influence of the philosophy of Rousseau. The position of Haydn in this field of tension is not the last valid to clarify. Thus, Haydn remarked ironically ode to the hard work (though he had been all his life diligently, you have asked him for the first time to write a chorus in praise of diligence ), which glorified a sober work ethic - appropriate irony may also the musical composition by unusual voice leading to be recognizable -, on the other hand also humorous hilarious to the wine festival of the country people ( " such a comic counterpoint and fugue so drunk I 've never written "). Haydn Identification of the libretto as " French waste " is again an indication of rejection of Rousseau's theses, without implying an identification would be with the ethical spirit of the Enlightenment, as it more prominent in the creation, occupied.
Occupation
The Seasons is written for a large late classical orchestra, mostly four-part choir and three vocal soloists, representing archetypal the country people: Simon ( bass), Luke ( tenor), and Hanne (soprano ). The occupation of the solo voices is thus the same as in creation.
The orchestra consists of two flutes (2nd piccolo ), two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons and contrabassoon, four french horns, two ( in the final chorus three) trumpets, timpani, triangle, tambourine, two trombones and bass trombone, and the usual strings ensemble with first and second violin, viola, cello, and double bass.
Content
The oratorio is corresponding to spring, summer, autumn and winter, in four parts, with the usual recitatives, arias and choruses
Among the swifter choral movements are a hunting song with French horn sounds, a wine festival with dancing peasants and a raging storm, the latter two elements as a premonition of the third and fourth movement of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony appear. Lyrical passages are the choral prayer for a bountiful harvest, "Be gracious now, milder sky ", the gentle nightfall, following the storm, and Hannes cavatina for the winter.
The composition is - how in Creation - often illustrative and tonmalerisch: such whistles such as a plowing farmer at work the familiar theme from Haydn's Symphony with the bang, a bird from a hunter geschossener also falls down musically, it is in bright D major a sunrise described.
Musical numbers
The seasons are divided into four parts: "Spring ", " Summer ", "Autumn " and "Winter ".
Spring
The introduction presents an overture that introduces the transition from winter to spring. This is followed by a recitative for soprano, tenor and bass, in which the spring announced.
The choir of the country people asking for an early arrival of spring.
Recitative Simon ( bass)
Simon 's Aria (Bass)
Recitative of Luke (Tenor)
Trio and Chorus
Recitative Hanne (soprano )
Joy Choir with alternate chorus of youth
Choir with solo parts
The summer
With a short instrumental introduction of the summer will be presented. In the following recitative welcomes Simon ( bass) the new day.
Aria and recitative by Simon (bass) and Hanne (soprano )
Trio and Chorus
Recitative Simon ( bass)
Recitative of Luke (Tenor)
A Cavatina of Luke (Tenor)
Recitative Hanne (soprano )
Aria of Hanne (soprano )
Recitative Simon, Lukas, Hanne
Choir
Trio and Chorus
The autumn
With a short instrumental introduction of autumn is presented. In the following recitative welcome Hanne (soprano), Luke ( tenor) and Simon ( bass) the new season.
Recitative of Luke (Tenor)
Trio and Chorus
Recitative Hanne (soprano), Luke (tenor ) and Simon ( bass)
Duet by Hanne (soprano) and Luke ( Tenor)
Recitative Simon ( bass)
Simon 's Aria (Bass)
Recitative of Luke (Tenor)
Hunting Choir
Hanne recitative, Simon, Luke
Choir of the agricultural population
The winter
In the orchestral introduction, the approach of winter is represented musically, it is a slow, dark piece. Then follows recitative by Hanne (soprano) and Simon ( bass)
Cavatina of Hanne (soprano )
Recitative of Luke (Tenor)
Aria of Luke ( Tenor)
Recitative by Hanne (soprano), Luke ( tenor) and Simon ( bass)
Song with Hanne (soprano) and choir
Recitative of Luke (Tenor)
Song with Hanne (soprano) and choir
Recitative Simon ( bass)
Simon 's Aria (Bass)
Recitative Simon ( bass)
Trio and double choir