The orchestral repertoire has no shortage of works that draw inspiration from the Bible. Yet Haydn’s Creation inevitably ranks among the most revered, brought deftly to life in this vivid performance by the London Symphony Orchestra under conductor Harry Christophers. Haydn’s oratorio was inspired by his visits to London in the 1790s and is a testament to the optimism of the Enlightenment. In a sprawling musical score for soprano, tenor, and bass soloists, chorus and orchestra, Haydn takes us on an odyssey from darkness to light through a mélange of orchestral tone painting, grand choruses, and characterful arias. Since its premiere in 1800, Haydn’s retelling of the story of creation has remained one of his most popular and inspiring works: ‘Let there be light!'