Seven Last Words
A meditation in music and words for Lent
In this performance there are seven meditative poems, interleaved with the Sarabandes from Bach’s Six Suites for Solo Cello. The work is framed by other music at the beginning and the end – sometimes, but not always, more Bach.
The Seven Last Words refers to the short utterances attributed to Jesus on the cross. Some of these are well know – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”, “I thirst,” and “It is finished.” Taken together they form a meaningful and challenging commentary on the human condition in its final analysis.
Traditionally the Church reflects on these sayings during the six weeks of Lent, leading up to Easter. The Seven Last Words Meditation was performed in about thirty churches in Lent 2024. I am planning further performances for Lent 2025 – and very happy to receive invitations from churches!
Listen
You can hear two of the poems, and two of the Sarabandes here:
Tour Dates
During Lent 2024 the Meditation on the Seven Last Words of Jesus was performed at the following venues
| Location | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Ravenbridge | Renwick | Sun 11 Feb, 3.00pm |
| St. Mary’s | Goathland | Wed 14 Feb, 10.00am |
| St. Matthew’s | Grosmont | Wed 14 Feb, 6.00pm |
| Fylingdales Methodist Church | Robin Hood's Bay | Thur 15 Feb, 11.00am |
| St. Peter’s | March | Sat 24 Feb, 11.30am |
| All Saints | St. Ives | Sun 25 Feb, 2.00pm |
| All Saints | Cottenham | Sun 25 Feb, 4.30pm |
| Selwyn College | Cambridge | Sun 25 Feb, 8.30pm |
| St. Peter’s | Castle Carrock | Sun 3 Mar, 3.00pm |
| Carlisle Cathedral | Carlisle | Wed 6 Mar, 2.00pm |
| St. Peter’s | Wolverhampton | Fri 8 Mar, 1.15pm |
| St. Andrew’s | Shifnal | Sat 9 Mar, 4.00pm |
| St. Mary Magdalene | Bridgnorth | Sun 10 Mar, 10.30am |
| Shrewsbury Abbey | Shrewsbury | Sun 10 Mar, 4.15pm |
| St. Andrew’s | Sedbergh | Wed 13 Mar, 1.00pm |
| St. Lawrence’s | Appleby | Thur 14 Mar, 12.00 noon |
| St. Aidan’s | Carlisle | Fri 15 Mar, 7.00pm |
| St. Mary’s | Richmond | Sun 17 Mar, 4.00pm |
| St. Peter’s | Stockton | Mon 18 Mar, 1.00pm |
| St. Cuthbert’s | Billingham | Mon 18 Mar, 7.00pm |
| Hexham Abbey | Hexham | Thur 21 Mar, 1.00pm |
| St. Mary’s | Ambleside | Sat 23 Mar, 2.00pm |
| Pathway Methodist Church | Middleton-in-Teesdale | Sat 23 Mar, 7.00pm |
| St. Mary's | Little Strickland | Mon 25 Mar, 7.00pm |
| St. Augustine's | Alston | Tues 26 Mar, 7.00pm |
| St. Andrew's Penrith | Penrith | Wed 27 Mar, 6.30pm |
| St. Peter's | Addingham | Fri 29 Mar, 11.00am |
