Joseph Haydn: The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross
“The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross” by Joseph Haydn is one of the most representative musical works of the “Age of Enlightenment.” More than two hundred years separate us from that time, yet its spiritual message and expressive potential remain fully relevant and powerfully evocative. The wonderful light that flows from each of these pages has remained intact thanks to the composer’s creative genius, inner richness, and capacity for poetic-musical symbolism. Seven slow movements – eight if the Introduzione is included – are realized with such a variety of musical invention, rhythms, dynamics, keys, thematic selection, and exceptional expressive sound painting that one completely loses awareness of the succession of pieces, which appear and feel very similar. Above all, the essential factor that gives this cycle its truly special value is that the expressive atmosphere is constantly of an intensity and fervor that is profoundly moving.”
This was Jordi Savall’s reflection on a work that Haydn himself considered deeply expressive and capable of reaching even the least emotionally responsive audience members.
To prepare it, a three-day workshop was held in Barcelona, Spain. Subsequently, two concerts were performed: one at the Auditori de Barcelona, Spain, and the other at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg (Grosser Saal), Germany. The workshop included a total of 39 musicians, 18 of whom were young musicians under 39 years old.
Share