Composer

:

César Franck

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

Aug 14, 1859

Average_duration

:

41:10

César Franck's "Seven Words of Christ at the Cross" is a sacred work for choir, soloists, and orchestra. It was composed in 1859 and premiered on Good Friday of the same year at the Sainte-Clotilde church in Paris. The piece is divided into seven movements, each corresponding to one of the seven last words of Jesus Christ on the cross. The first movement, "Père, pardonne-leur" (Father, forgive them), is a prayer for forgiveness and mercy. The choir sings a solemn melody, while the soloists express the anguish and pain of Christ's suffering. The second movement, "Aujourd'hui, tu seras avec moi" (Today, you will be with me), is a duet between the tenor and the baritone soloists. They sing a dialogue between the two thieves crucified alongside Jesus, one of whom asks for forgiveness and is promised salvation. The third movement, "Femme, voici ton fils" (Woman, behold your son), is a solo for the mezzo-soprano. It expresses the love and compassion of Mary, the mother of Jesus, for her son and for all humanity. The fourth movement, "Mon Dieu, mon Dieu, pourquoi m'as-tu abandonné?" (My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?), is a solo for the bass. It is a cry of despair and abandonment, expressing the agony of Christ as he feels separated from God. The fifth movement, "J'ai soif" (I thirst), is a solo for the tenor. It expresses the physical suffering of Christ and his thirst for love and compassion. The sixth movement, "Tout est accompli" (It is finished), is a choral piece that expresses the finality of Christ's sacrifice and the completion of his mission on earth. The seventh and final movement, "Père, entre tes mains je remets mon esprit" (Father, into your hands I commend my spirit), is a solo for the soprano. It expresses the trust and surrender of Christ as he gives himself over to God. Overall, Franck's "Seven Words of Christ at the Cross" is a deeply emotional and spiritual work that reflects the composer's Catholic faith and his belief in the redemptive power of Christ's sacrifice. The piece is characterized by its rich harmonies, expressive melodies, and dramatic contrasts between solo and choral sections. It remains a beloved work in the sacred music repertoire.

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