The choral version of the work was privately premiered in Vienna on March 26, 1796, for nobility, and publicly premiered on April 1, 1798, sponsored by the Tonkünstler-Societät, a Viennese benefit society for musicians.
Composition History
Baron Gottfried van Swieten assisted Haydn in revising the lyrics for the choral version, marking the beginning of a fruitful collaboration that continued with the oratorios 'The Creation' and 'The Seasons'.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Haydn considered this work one of his best, and it was the last work he conducted in public.
Compositional Technique
Haydn found it challenging to compose seven adagios, each lasting ten minutes, without fatiguing the listeners, and he felt it was impossible to confine himself to the appointed limits.
Recording & Production
The orchestral scores of the original and choral versions differ very little, with one significant difference being the interpolation of a vocal introduction to each section in the choral version.
Composition History
Haydn later transcribed his work for string quartet to give it wider currency and, in 1796, arranged a choral version that was published in 1801.
Composition History
Joseph Haydn, a devout Catholic, received a commission in 1786 from the Oratorio de la Santa Cueva in Cadiz, Spain, to compose orchestral interludes for a Good Friday service.
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