Echoes from Calvary: Meditations on Franz Joseph Haydn's The Seven Last Words of Christ Paperback – Audiobook, January 28, 2005

I found "Echoes from Calvary" by way of an article in The San Francisco Chronicle by a writer named Peter Steinfels under the label "Beliefs." It says as headline, "Haydn's music on Christ's last words, a transforming journey from concert hall to sacred setting." The book is a text of meditations and is titled "Echoes from Calvary: Meditations on Franz Joseph Haydn's The Seven Last Words of Christ." This lovely book has 2 CDs, the complete performance with the spoken word and one CD with music only. One intriguing part of the book is the first which goes through the musical and spiritual journey of the man who put all this together, a musician named Richard Young.Now I think this is a heavy kind of reading, for it is a Good Friday text--so why at Easter time. That's when I read it. I am interested in the resurrection, from a religious viewpoint, and of course the entry way is Holy Week and Good Friday. There you have my reason.Richard Young's spiritual journey is very well done and interesting, as a kind of personal statement that has worthwhile reflection. It sounds like it should. As for the Easter part, there is a hopeful dimension to this book, and I am finding it sometimes dark and sometimes light. I find myself reflecting on the words as they are offered in the homily like meditations. The first CD has meditations by Martin Luther King Jr., Martin E. Marty, Raymond E. Brown, Jean Bethke Elshtain, Grover A. Zinn, Andrew M. Greeley, Peter J. Gomes and others.There is an evident fact of the work. One cannot help but be moved by both the divinity of Christ and the human nature of the man. This is a respectful book, as one might expect and I think it is full of hope. These are meditations of the heart for Good Friday and Holy Week. Through the music and the text of meditations, one follows the Christ and knows something of his spirit. It is also a good exercise or series of examples of meditations by different writers who are clergy, giving one a taste of their own depths with each of the last words.The words: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." "Surely, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." "Woman, behold your son!" "Behold your mother!" "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?" "I thirst." "It is finished!" "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." And some meditations on "The Earthquake."Richard Young carries his theme of words and music even further than one would expect, and happily so for this reader. (I am not well educated when it comes to music, but I found his study understandable and helpful. Even inspiring to a non music person.) At the end of the book, in an educational and instructive way that interacts with listening to Haydn, he writes of the music only, and there is a CD with only the music for his very purposes. I want to recommend this lovely book, with its elegant layout and design, to anyone interested in meditations on the last words of Christ, or wanting to come closer to knowing this man Jesus who is divine to so many Christians.--Peter Menkin, Mill Valley, CA USA

not included CDs?

This book was really helpful for me during this Lenten season. Haydn's music played by the Vermeer String Quartet was heartbreakingly beautiful! I had not known of the music, so that contributed to my enjoyment. I used most of the short meditations (some were not helpful) as a guide for my own meditation times. The disappointment was the CD in the back of the book, which I could not understand why it was there. It has some weird sounds on it. I wrote to the publishers to inquire but no one responded. So, ignore that CD but play the front one--the music will enrich your life.

The music coupled with the carefully worded and researched narrative combine in a unique experience which is very powerful. This is a must read for lovers of literature and music.

This book, from somewhat unexpected sources, truly goes to the heart of Christian faith, offering insights into the true events of what happened on that famous hill over 2000 years ago. Here we have a collection of reflections that entice the reader into the path of discovering more. The contributors - some known and some unknown - give their all in these pages and I would say that even non-believers are urged to read these words in order to grant themselves some perspective on the mysteries of these momentous events.

This is a wonderful experience. The reflections in the book are very useful and thought provoking, as are those on the CD. The music is very moving. It is a wonderul listening and reading experience, and a great opportunity for me to review the music as we anticipate a performance of the work in 2009.

Wonderful CD's and varied commentaries.