In the Beginning is a 1947 choral work byAaron Copland settingGenesis 1:1 to 2:7.[1] The 15–20 minute long work is for mixed four-part chorusa capella and soprano ormezzo-soprano solo. The work is evocative of the Hebrewdavening and shows the influence ofpolytonality with references to jazz and blues.In the Beginning was composed forHarvard University's Symposium on Music Criticism in May 1947. The premiere was performed by theCollegiate Chorale at theHarvard Memorial Church, Cambridge on May 2 of that year, conducted byRobert Shaw.
Ameral Gunson (mezzo-soprano) King's College Choir of CambridgeStephen Cleobury, EMI 1991 (reissued by Warner onCopland: Billy the Kid, Rodeo & In the Beginning Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra Leonard Slatkin)
Catherine Denley, onAmerican Choral Music. with Barber: Agnus Dei, Bernstein: Chichester Psalms, Corydon Singers, Matthew Best Hyperion
Sally Bruce-Payne (mezzo-soprano) onIn the Beginning. with Barber: Agnus Dei.Dunedin Consort Ben Parry Linn 2001
Beth Mackay (mezzo-soprano) onIn the Beginning Choir of Merton College, Oxford, Benjamin Nicholas & Peter Phillips Delphian
Susanne Mentzer (mezzo-soprano) onAmerican Choral Music Volume 1 with Corigliano, Foss, Ives and Persichetti The University of Texas Chamber Singers and Chamber Orchestra, James Morrow Naxos American Classics - 8559299[2]
Twentieth Century Masters Volume 3 - The American School The Choir of New College Oxford, Edward Higginbottom Avie
Frances Bourne (mezzo-soprano)In the Beginning Gloucester Cathedral Choir, Andrew Nethsingha Avie
D'Anna Fortunato (mezzo-soprano)An American Collage Bucknell University Rooke Chapel Choir, William Payn Albany
^Encyclopedia of Modern Jewish Culture ed. Glenda Abramson- 1134428650 2004 Page 176 "He again drew upon the Bible for his 1947 cantata In the Beginning (Genesis I:1–II:7), a work evocative of davening.. But whereas the biblical account of Creation culminates in an abstraction, the Sabbath, Copland chose the creation of man for his conclusion.
^“James Morrow leads the University of Texas Chamber Singers in a program of pieces by Persichetti, Ives, Corigliano, Foss, and yes, Copland …. A demanding group, choral music fans should find much to enjoy here… this disc has an enjoyable variety of structure and technique.” Opera Today
