Haydn: Die sieben letzten Worte unseres Erlösers am Kreuz / Sánchez-Verdú: Sheba

Featuring

Andreas Spering
Capella Augustina
Joseph Haydn
José María Sánchez-Verdú

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Interpretation

The Capella Augustina, founded by Andreas Spering, is unique among historical performance ensembles for interpreting both early music and contemporary commissioned works.

Composition History

An oratorio version of Haydn's work, which he heard in 1794, inspired him to write his two famous late vocal works, "The Creation" and "The Seasons."

Composer's Artistic Vision

Haydn considered the task of composing seven consecutive Adagios without fatiguing the listener to be very difficult, and he found it impossible to stick to the prescribed time limits.

Composition History

Joseph Haydn's "The Seven Last Words of Christ" was commissioned for a special Good Friday liturgy in Cádiz, Spain.

Performer Biography

Andreas Spering, the conductor, established the Brühl Palace Concerts as the world's only Haydn festival.

Composition History

José María Sánchez-Verdú, a Spanish composer, was commissioned to write "Sheba" (Hebrew for 'seven') as interludes to Haydn's work, specifically for an orchestra with historical instruments.

Historical Context

The liturgy for which Haydn composed this work, called the 'tres horas', originated with South American Jesuits and involved readings, meditations, and music from 12 noon to 3 PM on Good Friday.