Creation

William Billings’s Creation is a robust SATB anthem for mixed chorus. The music is characterized by its vigorous energy and bold harmonic gestures, reflecting the powerful subject matter of the text. The voices are often treated with a degree of independence, creating a rich, contrapuntal texture that builds to moments of great intensity. The English text celebrates the divine act of creation, from the initial command of light to the final ordering of the heavens and earth. Billings, a leading figure of early American music, crafts a setting that is both devotional and dramatically compelling, making it a stirring choice for a dedicated choir.