What is "hexameron"

alt. 1 (context Bible English) The work of creating the world in six days, as described in the Hebrew Bible. 2 A theological treatise on the six days of creation. n. 1 (context Bible English) The work of creating the world in six days, as described in the Hebrew Bible. 2 A theological treatise on the six days of creation.

The term Hexameron ( Greek: Ἡ Ἑξαήμερος Δημιουργία Hē Hexaēmeros Dēmiourgia) refers either to the genre of theological treatise that describes God's work on the six days of creation or to the six days of creation themselves. Most often these theological works take the form of commentaries on Genesis I. As a genre, hexameral literature was popular in the early church and medieval periods. The word derives its name from the Greek roots hexa-, meaning "six", and hemer-, meaning "day".

Using the Genesis account as a template, the days of creation are claimed as follows:

1. Light
2. The firmament of Heaven
3. Separation of water and land, created plant life;
4. Sun, moon, and stars
5. Marine life and birds
6. Land animals, and man and woman.
7. The seventh day is reserved for rest ( Sabbath), and so is not counted.

Based on this framework, Christian and Jewish authors have written treatises that cover a wide variety of topics, including cosmology, science, theology, theological anthropology, and God's nature.

Saint Basil wrote an early and influential series of homilies around 370 AD which figure as the earliest extant Hexameron. Basil originally performed the work as a series of sermons, and later collected them into a written work which was influential among early church leaders.

Among the Latin Fathers, Ambrose and Augustine wrote some of the earliest extant hexameral literature. Ambrose's Hexameron is heavily influenced by Basil's work of the same name. In contrast, Augustine of Hippo wrote several works that serve as commentaries on the Genesis narrative, including The Confessions and The Literal Meaning of Genesis (written around 391). One of the more influential elements of Augustine's writings is his argument that God created the world all at once. At the same time, this instantaneous creation included a progression of events. Thus, creation happened over six days and in one single event.

Following these figures, medieval writers such as Thomas Aquinas, Bonaventure, and Robert Grosseteste wrote hexameral literature.

Hexaméron, Morceau de concert S.392 is a collaborative composition for solo piano. It consists of six variations on a theme, along with an introduction, connecting interludes and a finale. The theme is the "March of the Puritans" from Vincenzo Bellini's opera I puritani.

Princess Cristina Trivulzio Belgiojoso conceived the piece in 1837 and persuaded Franz Liszt to assemble a set of variations of the march along with five of his pianist-friends. Liszt composed the introduction, second variation, connecting sections and finale, and integrated the piece into an artistic unity. Five star composer-performers each contributed one variation: Frédéric Chopin, Carl Czerny, Henri Herz, Johann Peter Pixis and Sigismond Thalberg.

Princess Belgiojoso commissioned Hexameron (the word refers to the bible's six days of creation) for a benefit concert for the poor on 31 March 1837 at the princess's salon in Paris. The musicians did not complete the piece on time, but the concert was held as scheduled. The concert's highlight was the famous piano " duel" between Thalberg and Liszt for the title of "greatest pianist in the world." Princess Belgiojoso announced her judgment: "Thalberg may be the first pianist in the world, but Liszt is the only one."

Hexameron is divided into nine parts:

1. Introduction: Extremement lent (Liszt)
2. Tema: Allegro marziale (transcribed by Liszt)
3. Variation I: Ben marcato (Thalberg)
4. Variation II: Moderato (Liszt)
5. Variation III: di bravura (Pixis) - Ritornello (Liszt)
6. Variation IV: Legato e grazioso (Herz)
7. Variation V: Vivo e brillante (Czerny) - Fuocoso molto energico; Lento quasi recitativo (Liszt)
8. Variation VI: Largo (Chopin) - (coda) (Liszt)
9. Finale: Molto vivace quasi prestissimo (Liszt)

Pianists Raymond Lewenthal, Leslie Howard, Francesco Nicolosi and Marc-André Hamelin, among others, have recorded the piece.

Liszt made arrangements of the piece for piano and orchestra (S.365b) and for two pianos (S.654).

In 2009, six New York-based composer-pianists created their own Hexameron, also based on Bellini's "March of the Puritans". It premiered at the 2010 American Liszt Society Festival in Nebraska, USA. It is similar in structure to Liszt's Hexameron and, like Liszt's, virtuosic and romantic.