Haydn J. Die Sieben letzten Worte unseres Erlösers am Kreuze Op.51b / Pražák Quartet

Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809) - The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross Op.51b (String Quartet version)

I. Introduzione, Maestoso ed Adagio

II. Sonata I, Largo Pater, dimitte illis, quia nesciunt, quid faciunt (Luke, 23,24)

III. Sonata II, Grave e Cantabile Hodie mecum eris in Paradiso (Luke 23, 24)

IV. Sonata III, Grave Mulier, ecce filius tuus (John, 19, 26)

V. Sonata IV, Largo Deus meus, Deus meus, utquid dereliquisti me ? (Mark 15, 34 ; Matthew 27, 46)

VI. Sonata V, Adagio Sitio (John 19, 28)

VII. Sonata VI, Lento Consummatum est (John 19,30)

VIII. Sonata VII, Largo In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum (Luke 23, 46)

Il terremoto (presto e con tutta la forza)

Pražák Quartet: Pavel Hůla, Vlastimil Holek violins, Josef Klusoň viola, Michal Kaňka cello

The purest version of these seven sermons, here played on only the sixteen strings of a quartet without the easy solutions of a large string orchestra (the original version) or the monumentality of an oratorio, not to mention the keyboard reduction authorised by Haydn. The Pražáks have been meditating on this series of seven adagios for forty years and offer the rare union of a narrative with innate dramaturgy, avoiding both the austere linearity of the current Baroque vogue and the sentimental excess of an outmoded Romantic style. Poets in their spiritual and musical prime, they invite you to share their asceticism...

(Praga Digitals)