Celebrated conductor to lead Lubbock Symphony, Lubbock Chorale in Haydn's 'The Creation'

Lubbockites will have a chance to experience one of the preeminent oratorios of the Classical Period when the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra and The Lubbock Chorale present Franz Joseph Haydn's "The Creation" Friday evening at The Buddy Holly Hall.

The orchestra and chorus will be led by guest conductor Michael Palmer, a renowned maestro who began his career under Robert Shaw and has led the Wichita, Kansas and New Haven, Connecticut symphonies. Palmer frequently appears with Chamber Music Amarillo, of which Palmer's son David is artistic director, and conducted an acclaimed 2022 performance in Amarillo of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis — a rarely performed piece widely considered one of the most difficult classical works in existence.

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Haydn's late 18th century "The Creation" (German: "Die Schöpfung") tells the biblical story of God's creation of the world from the book of Genesis. The oratorio is structured in three parts with dozens of movements and is considered one of Haydn's masterpieces.

"It's an oratorio, which means we have choir and soloists, accompanied by the orchestra," Maestro David Cho, Lubbock Symphony music director, explained to the Avalanche-Journal.

"(Haydn) lived a long time and wrote 107 symphonies, which to many musicians and composers are the bible of symphonies," Cho said. "And he was very humorous with his music. Humor is one of the signature moves in his music, and we're thrilled to feature his Creation."

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In addition to the concert, the Lubbock Symphony offers a unique pre-concert experience called “ClefNotes,” a beginner-friendly discussion about the performance, according to the symphony. The lecture starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday and is hosted by SiriusXM Symphony Hall’s John Clare, covering the music that will be heard at the concert, historical context, composer biography, important musical moments and more.

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday at The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences and is sponsored by Lone Star State Bank. Tickets are available at LubbockSymphony.org and LubbockChorale.org or by calling 806-762-1688.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Celebrated conductor to lead Lubbock Symphony, Lubbock Chorale in Haydn's 'The Creation'