Event

In his final oratorio, Haydn turns to a secular theme for the first time: the vivid depictions of nature and the idealization of country life reflect Rousseau’s philosophy. The composer of *The Creation* had to work hard to find his way into this cheerful mood, which he then achieved magnificently in *Autumn* in the fugue—which he himself described as “drunken”—“Hurrah! The wine is here!” It is not until the final movement that he returns to religious themes with his praise of eternal life.