Seven Last Words

Haydn already had written a wealth of sacred works when, in 1785, aged 53 and at the height of his fame, he received a detailed commission for the cathedral of Cadiz in Spain, asking him to write ceremonial music for Good Friday. His challenge was to create an engaging and individual work out of the curious musical form prescribed by the ritual. Haydn professed great difficulty in writing 7 instrumental Adagios of 10 minutes each without fatiguing the listener, but the result is a triumph of concentration, contemplation and spirituality.

This new recording presents the work in the version for organ, here played on the 1837 Fratelli Serassi organ of the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena in Desenzano del Garda in Italy. Organist Guido Pellizzari studied with (among others) Ton Koopman and Luigi Tagliavini. He is a specialist in historical European organs.

The booklet contains liner notes and the full specifications of the organ.