Seven Last Words from the Cross Op.51 (Haydn)
Movements
i Introduzione. Maestoso ed adagio ii Sonata I. Largo. “Pater, dimitte illis, quia nesciunt, quid faciunt” iii Sonata II. Grave e cantabile. “Hodie mecum eris in Paradiso” iv Sonata III. Grave. “Mulier, ecce filius tuus” v Sonata IV. Largo. “Deus meus, Deus meus, utquid dereliquisti me” vi Sonata V. Adagio.”Sitio” vii Sonata VI. Lento. “Consummatum est” viii Sonata VII. Largo. “In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum” ix Il terremoto. Presto e con tutta la forza
Notes
At the request of his publisher, in 1787 Haydn produced a reduced version for string quartet: Haydn’s Opus 51. This is the form in which the music is most often heard today: a group of seven works .With the Introduction abutting Sonata I and Sonata VII joined by the Earthquake. The first violin part includes the Latin text directly under the notes, which “speak” the words musically.
INTRODUCTION
FIRST WORD – “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”
SECOND WORD – “Today you will be with me in Paradise “
THIRD WORD – “ Woman, behold your son”
FOURTH WORD – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me ? “
FIFTH WORD – “ I thirst”
SIXTH WORD – “ It is finished “
SEVENTH WORD – “Father into your hands I commenf my spirit” – EARTHQUAKE
