Haydn’s Seven Last Words of Christ to be performed by the Cascade Quartet
The Cascade Quartet’s next performance on the Great Falls Symphony’s Chamber Music Series is Haydn’s Seven Last Words of Christ. Concerts are on Sunday, February 24, 2pm at the First Congregational UCC, and Tuesday, February 26, 7pm, at the University of Providence’s Trinitas Chapel. Single admission is $15 for adults and $5 for students. Family passes are $15 and include admission for one student and one adult. Bring-a-friend packages are available online only at gfsymphony.org and include two adult admissions for $25. Four-ticket passes are available for $45 (adults) and $16 (students). Season passes grant seven admissions and may be purchased for $75 (adults) and $25 (students). All tickets, packages, and season passes may be purchased online at gfsymphony.org or at the door. For more information, contact the Symphony office at 406-453-4102 or click here.
Considered among the most inspired and inspiring works by the eighteenth-century master, Franz Joseph Haydn, The Seven Last Words of Christ is a musical reflection on the last seven things that Christ said from the cross. Each movement of the work poignantly portrays the spirit of one of these utterances, such as “I thirst” and “Unto Thy hands I commend my spirit.” Although rooted in the story of the crucifixion, the music speaks to universal themes. It so moved the Spanish priest who commissioned it that he paid Haydn in the unusual form of a cake filled with pieces of gold.
The Cascade Quartet aims to recreate the setting of the original performance in 1786. They will play by candlelight, and there will be brief readings between movements of various texts and poetry—both sacred and secular. Local actor, singer, director, and GFPS teacher, Joel Corda joins the quartet as reader.
Haydn’s Seven Last Words of Christ with the Cascade Quartet:
2 pm, Sun, Feb 24, First Congregational Church UCC, 2900 9th Ave S
7pm, Tue, Feb 26, University of Providence, 1301 20th St S
ADMISSION:
Individual tickets $15 Adults / $5 Students
Season Pass $75 Adults / $25 Students (7 admissions)
Four-Ticket Pass $45 Adults / $16 Students (4 admissions)
Family Package $15 (1 student + 1 adult admission)
Bring-a-Friend Package $25 (2 adult admissions) available only online at gfsymphony.org.
Joel Corda
Joel Corda is in his 14th year of teaching for the Great Falls Public School District. A drama and music teacher, he is currently at North Middle School teaching choir and general music. He has been the co-music director and cantor at St. Ann’s Cathedral for 15 years. An actor, director and singer, he works within the arts year round on various projects, including his latest role as acting coach for the CMR production of The Sound of Music. A solo and band performer, Joel can often be found playing in local venues. His latest album of original music, St. Somewhere, can be found online or at his shows. He received a BS in Vocal Performance and a MFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Idaho. He received his M. Ed. from Montana State University.
Cascade Quartet With its depth of sound, insightful interpretations, and genre-bending performances, the Cascade Quartet has enriched communities across Montana and the Northwest for over three decades. They are praised for their cross-discipline collaborations and have worked closely with multi-media artists, dancers, choirs, world percussionists and jazz artists. Noted past collaborations include Yo Yo Ma, the Ying Quartet, and Grammy nominee Philip Aaberg.
The Cascade Quartet is the resident string quartet of the Great Falls Symphony and its personnel serve as principal players in the orchestra. Each quartet member is a strong advocate for music education and outreach. They tour extensively throughout the year providing concerts, multi-day residencies and interactive school activities for communities large and small. The Cascade Quartet includes violinists Mary Papoulis and Megan Karls, violist Alyssa Roggow, and cellist Thaddeus Suits.
