The Seven Last Words of Our Savior on the Cross, composed by Joseph Haydn in 1786 for a Good Friday devotion at the Oratory of the Holy Cave in Cádiz, Spain, was written not as a concert work but as a sustained musical meditation on Christ’s final words from the Cross. Conceived to accompany silence, prayer, and contemplation, the work has long been recognized as one of the most profound sacred compositions of the Western tradition.
On March 16, 2026, the abbey was honored to host the world-renowned Goldmund Quartett for a candlelit performance of The Seven Last Words. Their careful and beautiful performance, along with poignant reflections from Fr. Ambrose, are presented here in an effort to draw you into the solemnity, beauty, sadness, and mercy of Christ's Passion.
The Goldmund Quartett is internationally regarded for its exceptional musical integrity and depth of interpretation. Drawing on the finest traditions of European chamber music, the quartet performs on a matched set of historic Antonio Stradivari instruments, lending a rare unity and gravitas to their sound. Their approach is marked by clarity, restraint, and a profound respect for the music itself.
