s
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809):
*Die sieben letzten Worte unseres Erlösers am Kreuze Hob.III:50-56*
Sarah Wegener _soprano_
Marie Henriette Reinhold _alto_
Robin Tritchler _tenor_
David Soar _bass_
*Collegium Vocale Gent*
Orchestre des Champs-Elysées
Philippe Herreweghe
The passionately devout processions and services in Spain during Holy Week (_Semana Santa_) have been well known for centuries. In 1787 Joseph Haydn had the unexpected but great honour of being asked to write a series of orchestral meditations for the Good Friday service in the cathedral of Cadiz. A year later, at the request of his publisher, he reworked the solemn opening, the hair-raising Il terremoto and the remaining emotionally charged sonatas of _Die sieben letzten Worte_ into a string-quartet version. In 1796, the famous version for soloists, choir and orchestra had its premiere in Vienna.