Haydn: The Seven Last Words of Christ, Op. 51 (Hob. III:50-56) - Vermeer Quartet

. Vermeer Quartet Shmuel Ashkenasi, 1st violin Mathias Tacke, 2nd violin Richard Young, viola Marc Johnson, cello Speakers Barack Obama Addie L. Wyatt Peter J. Gomes Gregory Dell Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. Alison Boden Jean Bethke Elshtain Andrew M. Greeley Samuel Betances Introduction -- Barack Obama Maestoso ed Adagio [2:50] "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." -- Rev. Addie L. Wyatt [8:54] Largo [11:51] "Surely, today you will be with me in paradise." -- Rev. Professor Peter J. Gomes [18:41] Grave e cantabile [23:31] "Woman, behold your son; behold your mother." -- Rev. Gregory Dell [29:15] Grave [32:40] "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" -- Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. [39:28] Largo [42:45] "I thirst." -- Rev. Dr. Alison Boden [48:16] Adagio [52:14] "It is finished!" -- Dr. Jean Bethke Elshtain [58:55] Lento [1:00:58] "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." -- Father Andrew M. Greeley [1:06:30] Largo [1:10:01] The Earthquake -- Dr. Samuel Betances [1:15:32] Presto e con tutta la forza [1:17:39] The Vermeer performed Haydn's Good Friday masterpiece, The Seven Last Words of Christ, countless times all over the world. But rather than presenting only the music, they observed Haydn's original format whereby each movement is preceded by a spoken meditation. The version offered here is a compilation of speakers from various "live" Vermeer performances over the years. They include some of America's most celebrated preachers and religious scholars -- plus Barack Obama, who was not yet the President of the United States. The Vermeer's Grammy-nominated CD of this work features Martin E. Marty, Raymond Brown, Billy Graham, Virgil Elizondo, Dallin Oaks, Kelly Clem, T.L. Barrett, Jason Robards, and Martin Luther King, Jr. It will be posted on this YouTube channel sometime in the future.