The Creation (German: Die Schöpfung) is an oratorio composed by Joseph Haydn between 1796 and 1798, considered to be his masterpiece. The work musically depicts the biblical story of creation and was influenced by Haydn’s enthusiasm for English oratorios, particularly Handel’s Messiah. The work premiered in Vienna in 1798, when Haydn was 66 years old.

The libretto was written by Baron van Swieten and was based on the books of Genesis and Psalms in the Bible, as well as Milton’s Paradise Lost. The work is performed in English.

The oratorio is composed for orchestra, choir, and soloists. It makes extensive use of musical imagery: the opening “Introduction to Chaos” features dissonant chords and broken melodies, and later the orchestra imitates the sounds of nature and animals.

One of the finest works of the neoclassical period is the Psalm Symphony for choir and orchestra, composed in 1930. The work was commissioned by conductor Sergei Koussevitzky for the 50th anniversary of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and premiered in Brussels in December 1930 under the baton of Ernest Ansermet. The work was performed for the first time in Boston a few days later.