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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Uriel's sparkling recitative from Franz Joseph Haydn's The Creation, introduces us to one of the most glorious oratorio choruses. Can you deduce the name of the chorus? To see if you're correct, double click the gold band below. But no cheating, have a guess first . . . The oratorio is second only in popularity to Handel's Messiah, so we're into big league music here! Sullivan was bound to be very familiar with Haydn and his music through his church connections, and also his choral work for the big concert festivals.

This wonderfully eloquent and beautifully scored recitative is almost like a miniature aria. We love the imagery of the libretto as much as we admire the music. Traditionally it's a tenor recitative, but don't let that inhibit you. Enjoy yourself, have a go. You've never sung a recitative? Well you have a treat in store! Be dramatic (not too much though, don't overdo it!).

We have included both English and German words in the certainty that experts would agree that both are equally attractive. Students of German grammar please comment. The musical notation relates to the English words, there are minor differences to fit the German. But, don't let this put you off. Have a go at either (or both). Better still, if you get a chance, go and see a live performance, purchase a CD or borrow one from the library. One final point; the night sky in the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year contains some remarkably magnificent sights - just look out on a clear night and see for yourself. (Don't look directly at the sun in the daytime, it is dangerous). Comments from Southern Hemisphere visitors are also very welcome . . .

In Splendour Bright the Sun is Rising Now
(15 lovely bars Orchestral Introduction)

In splendour bright is rising now the sun
In vollem Glanze steiget jetzt die Sonne 
And darts his rays;
strah-lend auf
An am'rous, joyful, happy spouse,
Ein won-ne-vol-ler Bräu-ti-gam
A giant proud and glad
Ein Rie-se stolz und froh
To run his measured course.
Zu ren-nen sei-ne Bahn.

With softer beams and mil . . der light
Mit lei-sem Gang und sanf-tem Schim-mer
Steps on the silent moon
Schleicht der Mond
Thro' silent night.
Die stil-le Nacht hin-durch.

The space immense of th'azure sky
Den aus-ge-dehn-ten Him-mels-raum
In num'rous host of radiant orbs adorns,
Ziert oh-ne Zhal der hel-len Ster-ne Gold,
And the sons of God announced the fourth day
Und die Söh-ne Got-tes ver-kün-dig-ten den vier-ten Tag
In song divine,
Mit himm-li-schem Ge-sang,
Proclaiming thus - his power:
Sei-ne Macht aus-ru-fend - al-so:

We promised to follow this with the famous Trio and Chorus  . . .

In the meantime have you clicked the strip below to check on the title?

TheHeavensAreTelling

Fasten your seatbelts for a space ride second to none!! Remember that the horse was the only means of locomotion (apart from Shank's Pony) in that period. The stars and planets were a little-known source of wonder. Space flight, and even terrestrial flight was far in the future.

Ready to sing (or listen to) our Die Himmel erzählen now?

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