Search - Lorenzo Marasso :: The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross

Haydn's most famous work of religious inspiration. First published as an orchestral piece and later adapted for soli, choir and orchestra but also for string quartet and for piano. The first performance took place in Cadiz, Spain, in 1787. The work is composed of seven sonatas, preceded by an Introduction and a final movement. In 1796 Haydn sent the publisher Breitkopf & Hartel the score of the piece, accompanying it with a preface which constitutes a precious testimony about the occasion for which the work was conceived. It reads: "Some fifteen years ago I was requested by a canon of Cádiz to compose instrumental music on the Seven Last Words of Our Savior On the Cross. It was customary at the Cathedral of Cádiz to produce an oratorio every year during Lent, the effect of the performance being not a little enhanced by the following circumstances. The walls, windows, and pillars of the church were hung with black cloth, and only one large lamp hanging from the center of the roof broke the solemn darkness. At midday, the doors were closed and the ceremony began. After a short service the bishop ascended the pulpit, pronounced the first of the seven words (or sentences) and delivered a discourse thereon. This ended, he left the pulpit and fell to his knees before the altar. The interval was filled by music. The bishop then in like manner pronounced the second word, then the third, and so on, the orchestra following on the conclusion of each discourse. My composition was subject to these conditions, and it was no easy task to compose seven adagios lasting ten minutes each, and to succeed one another without fatiguing the listeners; indeed, I found it quite impossible to confine myself to the appointed limits. " This release contains original miniatures, drawn for the occasion by Italian painter and architect Massimo Scolari, with the intent to give a visual representation of the Seven Words of Christ as well as depict the character of the music.