Haydn’s The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross

Dr. Paul Klemme will serve as conductor for a performance of Franz Josef Haydn’s The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross. Narration of each word from scripture will be read before each movement. This purely orchestral work was commissioned in 1786 for the Good Friday service at Oratorio del Santa Cueva in Cadiz, Spain. Published in 1787, the composer adapted it for string quartet, approved a version for solo piano, and finally arranged a version as an oratorio. The seven main meditative sections are based on seven expressions attributed to Jesus during his crucifixion. The seven sections are labelled “sonatas” and are all slow. They are framed by an introduction and a fast “Earthquake” conclusion, for a total of nine movements. The concert on April 6th is 60 minutes in length. This concert directly follows the 4:00 service of Evensong and is open to the public with free will donations gratefully accepted.