by Aaron Fryklund (2010)
World premiere performance by the
Cornerstone United Methodist Church Choir
Garland, Texas
Friday, April 2, 7:00pm
The Premiere The Words About
The Premiere
The Seven Last Words of Christ
The world premiere performance will take place at Cornerstone United Methodist Church
of Garland Texas on Good Friday, April 2, 2010, at 7:00 in the evening.
Cornerstone is located at 7502 North Garland Avenue, Garland, Texas, 75044.
Admission is free and open to the public.
The Words
The Seven Last Words of Christ
Father forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)
Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43)
Woman, behold your son: behold your mother (John 19:26-27)
Eli Eli lama sabachthani? ("My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" , Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34)
I thirst (John 19:28)
It is finished (John 19:30)
Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke 23:46)
About
The Seven Last Words of Christ refers to the seven final sayings of Christ during the
crucifixion. The Seven Words are a part of the greater Passion narrative, although the
Passion also includes events as early as the prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. The Seven
Words draws focus from the narrative events to the final words from the mouth of Christ
before his death. It is an opportunity to think and meditate upon Jesus' last words in order
that we may hope to understand him better both in his life and teachings and his suffering and
death. For Christians, it is a chance to consider how we ought to live our lives that we might
honor his.
The text has been set by numerous prominent composers, such as Heinrich Schutz, Joseph Haydn,
Cesar Franck, Theodore Dubois, and even contemporary composers such as Sofia Gubaidulina
and James MacMillan. Each setting is diverse and unique, both in its musical make-up and
interpretation and presentation of the scriptures. Haydn's setting was in fact originally
an instrumental setting, meant to accompany the time during the Good Friday mass between the
priest's reading of the words. Only later did Haydn add a choral aspect to the work.
Gubaidulina's is also strictly instrumental and draws textural and formal inspiration both from Haydn
and Schutz.
Fryklund's setting relies on a direct presentation of the sayings. In it, the choir sings
all the words deliberately and directly. It is designed to coexist with an array of different
liturgical Good Friday observances. The music is woven with both traditional and modern aspects,
meant to honor the long line of sacred liturgical works while infusing the freshness and
forthrightness of the contemporary idiom. The musical texture is straightforward and easy to
understand while the formal organization and macro interactions are thoughtful and challenging.
The key organization is based on a twelve-tone row. The row is highly symbolic from the
offset by its twelve-part delineation, relating to the twelve disciples. The row's construction
is built on intervals of thirds, symbolic of the Holy trinity. By connection the very fabric
of the work is infused with symbolic significance. While the row is used in a non-choral
context as a melodic source, the layout of the movements is structured by the row: each
movement progresses through its key areas in coordination with the pitches of the row.
There is yet more structural significance in a more traditional sense. The first word is set in
the key of G-flat and the last in B. This relationship represents the integral harmonic
motion common to all western music: the V-I cadence. Such a gesture in a theoretical
context represents absolute completion and fulfillment. This high-level resolution is
heightened by the final movement being founded wholly on a suspended chord, literally not
resolving until the final chord. All of this is intended to symbolize the fulfillment
of Christ's purpose as he uttered these words with his last breaths.
This setting is designed to be engaging on as many levels as possible in hopes that anyone,
no matter their circumstances or background, may experience spiritual enlightenment
through these words.