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Donald Macleod explores Haydn's unique instrumental oratorio, "The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross", as well as his final opera, "Orpheus and Euridice".

Haydn's "Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross" is one of the most remarkable and original musical works of the entire 18th century. Conceived as an instrumental oratorio for Cadiz in Spain, it vividly depicts the suffering of Christ in sound alone – a truly radical idea for the time. This week, Donald Macleod explores this little-known and beautiful work, as well as Haydn's own "last words" – his last compositions in a variety of genres: last opera, last symphony, last piano sonata, and many more, covering the period from 1786 to his death in 1809.

The week begins with the story of Haydn's unique "Seven Last Words", before we join the composer at his very last meeting with Mozart, just a year before the younger man died. Donald Macleod explores the story of Haydn's first year in England, 1790, as well as introducing his final opera – Orpheus and Euridice, or "The Philosopher's Soul".

Introduction: Maestoso ed adagio (The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross)
Le Concert des Nations / Jordi Savall

Sonata 1: Father, Forgive Them, for They Know Not What They Do (The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross)
Le Concert des Nations / Jordi Savall

Overture; Filomena abbandonata; Cara speme! (L'anima del filosofo, ossia Orfeo ed Euridice, Act I)
Cecilia Bartoli (Euridice/Genio), Uwe Heilmann (Orfeo), Ildebrando D'Arcangelo (Creonte), Andrea Silvestrelli (Pluto)
The Academy of Ancient Music and Chorus / Christopher Hogwood

Como il foco allo splendore (L'anima del filosofo, ossia Orfeo ed Euridice, Act I)
Cecilia Bartoli (Euridice/Genio), Uwe Heilmann (Orfeo), Ildebrando D'Arcangelo (Creonte), Andrea Silvestrelli (Pluto)
The Academy of Ancient Music / Christopher Hogwood

Sonata 2: Truly I Say to You, Today You Will Be With Me in Paradise (The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross, string quartet version)
Cuarteto Casals