NORTH SAANICH — A special performance of Haydn’s The Seven Last Words of Christ will be presented by the Die Mahler String Quartet at the Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church on Good Friday, April 14.
One of the several versions of the work crafted by Haydn, this performance will combine the string quartet’s performance with the spoken word to create a moving and inspirational performance.
The work has an interesting back story, having been first commissioned by the Canon of Cadiz in 1787 to be performed in the Holy Cave Oratory, a church built primarily underground.
The resulting work was very successful and immensely popular during Haydn’s life and continued to find a place in the classical canon up to the present day.
As an interesting aside, it’s said the Canon of Cadiz was a man of singular humour and offered Haydn payment in the form of a cake.
When Haydn cut into the cake, he found it infused with gold coins.
We can only assume the nature of humour has changed over the centuries.
The Die Mahler String Quartet, who presumably will not be paid in baked goods, is comprised of Pablo Diemecke and Raya Fridman on violins, Barry Leung on viola and Larry Skaggs on the cello.
The concert begins at 10 a.m. at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church, 9296 E. Saanich Rd. (by the airport roundabout) in North Saanich.
Plenty of free parking is available.
Further information is available at the church office at 250-656-2241.
— Submitted