On the piano Maria Vlachodimou and Antonis Kostopoulos

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“The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross” was a set of sonatas, each of which was inspired by a speech of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospels. The seven sonatas were complemented by an introduction and an epilogue, entitled “Earthquake”. Haydn had composed them at the request of the vicar of the cathedral of Cadiz in Andalusia, in order to accompany the Good Friday Service. It was written in 1786 and premiered at noon on Good Friday, April 6, 1787. The composer later orchestrated it for string quartet and as an oratorio.

The work consists of 9 parts (Introduction – Seven Sonatas – Epilogue).

Introduction: Maestoso ed Adagio (Majestic and Slow)

Sonata I: “Pater, dimitte illis, quia nesciunt, quid faciunt” (“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” Luke 23:34) – Largo (Wide)

Sonata II: “Hodie mecum eris in Paradio” (“Today thou shalt be with me in paradise,” Luke 23:43) – Grave e cantabile (Serious and singable)

Sonata III: “Mulier, ecce filius tuus” (“Woman, behold thy son,” John 19:26) – Grave (Serious)

Sonata IV: “Deus meus, Deus meus, utquid dereliquisti me?” (“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”, Matt. 27:46) – Largo

Sonata V: “Sitio” (“I thirst,” John 19:28) – Adagio(Slowly)

Sonata VI: “Consummatum est” (“It is finished,” John 19:30) – Lento(Slowly)

Sonata VII: “In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum” (“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit,” Luke 23:46) – Largo

Epilogue: Il Terremoto (The Earthquake) – Presto e con tutta la forza (Very quickly and with all my might)

Source :  Pneumatic Center of Chania