The Creation (Full/Vocal Score) A Rock Cantata by David Bobrowitz , Steven Porter
This rock cantata combines precise notation in tempi chords and vocal lines with the ad-lib feeling of rock music, leaving the improvisation to the instrumentalists. A great choice for the high school choir.
From the composer:
Sometime in 1969 I heard an NPR broadcast of Haydn’s Creation. I thought it would be an exciting challenge to try to write a new version of the 2000 year old story, but using the late 60’s early 70’s rock idiom. Inspired by the new direction that rock music had taken with the advent of the Beatles, I and my partner at the time, Steven Porter, undertook to writing a cantata for SATB chorus accompanied by a rock rhythm section. Porter first worked on framing the lyrics using modern language to the timeless theme of the Creation. When we felt that the lyric content was on target, I went to work on creating the melodies and harmonies. The basic music and lyrics now complete, we presented our skeletal version to choral director/publisher Norman Luboff. He immediately liked what we had done, and said if we could get the scoring done quickly, he would take the piece on his upcoming 1970 concert tour. He also offered us a publishing contract with his company, Walton Music. The vocal scoring was accomplished with Steve and I working together, with occasional helpful input from Maestro Luboff. The French group called, The Choir, made the first known recording under Norman Luboff’s direction. Over the past 50 years The Creation (A Rock Cantata) has been performed around the world by choruses of all ages, ranging from professional groups such as The Norman Luboff Choir and the Robert DeCormier Singers, to school, university and church groups. It is truly a joy to know that through Gia Publications, our version of the Creation is still being performed and enjoyed 50 years after its first performance!
