Franz Joseph Haydn: The Seven Last Words Of Christ: Piano: Instrumental Work

Arrangement For Piano-In 1786 Haydn was commissioned by the cathedral canon in Cádiz to write meditative music which was to be performed alternately with readings of Christ's last words on Good Friday. Already in the spring of 1787 the orchestralversion and an arrangement for string quartet (HN851 and HN9771) were published by Artaria in Vienna. Barely ten years later he also made an oratorio version which Henle has published as a study score (HN9830). Although Haydn didnot undertake the version for 'Clavicembalo o Forte Piano' (harpsichord or fortepiano) himself he received the proofs and praised the piano reduction as being 'very good and conceived with particular care'. In addition thisexpressive work is also extremely well-suited to being performed on the organ.

Instrumentation :