This CD presents the original orchestral version of the Seven Last Words of Christ, a work that Haydn regarded so highly that he made or sanctioned subsequent versions for string quartet, solo piano, and one for soloists, chorus, and orchestra. The first setting consists of an introduction, seven sonatas (one for each saying), and a final Allegro (the Earthquake). The sonatas are eloquent and soulfully descriptive without being actual tone poems. The piece is scored for pairs of flutes, oboes, bassoons, and horns (four in Sonatas II & IV), and strings, with the addition of trumpets and timpani in the finale. This has always been my favorite performance. Antonio Janigro is very sensitive to the melodic line and he allows the music to breathe naturally in a reading that seems thoroughly idiomatic. The number of strings in his superb chamber orchestra is relatively small, allowing the wind parts to be easily heard, and Vanguard supplies a good recording that’s close up but not too aggressive. All in all, this is probably the best recording around, and the 24-bit, SBM master, as transferred to this CD, sounds excellent.
