Meditative, spiritual, and profoundly original: for the Good Friday observances in the Andalusian city of Cádiz, Joseph Haydn composed seven instrumental movements that meditate on the last words of the crucified Jesus. Each movement draws on the melody and rhythm of the Latin text and unfolds a richly imagined sound world. The culmination is an expressive finale depicting the earthquake after Jesus’ death. As part of our Biennale Signs & Wonders, members of the Berliner Philharmoniker perform this work in its string quartet version.

Late Night Haydn’s “Seven Last Words”

St. Matthew's Church

This concert brings the Berliner Philharmoniker Ensembles’ Beethoven series to a close with two of the composer’s most popular chamber works: the “Gassenhauer Trio”, with its ingenious variations on a popular operatic hit, and his Septet in E-flat major. Both works combine melodic invention with wit and elegance. Béla Bartók’s Contrasts for violin, clarinet and piano offers a striking contrast, combining Hungarian dance rhythms, jazz influences  and Bartok’s distinctive musical language with dazzling assurance.

Julia Gartemann

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 16, 2027

Late Night Haydn’s “Seven Last Words” · Berliner Philharmoniker

May 19, 2027

Berliner Philharmoniker Ensembles · Berliner Philharmoniker

Future and recently performed repertoire

Viola in Septet by Beethoven

Berliner Philharmoniker

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