Paul Barnes's video: Paul Barnes - Liszt Via Crucis

I peformed Liszt's groundbreaking Via Crucis on Sept 24th, 2020 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. Closing chant performed by Nicholas Lemme and the Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary Schola. From Via Crucis (1878) Franz Liszt Intro: Vexilla Regis (The Royal Banners) (1811-1886) Station I: Jesus is condemned to death Station IV: Jesus meets his holy mother Station X: Jesus is stripped of his clothing Station XI: Jesus is nailed to the cross Station XII: Jesus dies on the cross Station XIV: Jesus is laid in the tomb (Vexilla Regis) Program Notes Via Crucis (1878-79) Liszt’s ground-breaking Via Crucis, The Way of the Cross, was begun in Rome in 1878 and completed in Budapest in early 1879. It’s harmonica language and overall serenity mark it as one of the great masterpieces of late Liszt. I have selected movements that convey both the important message of the transfiguration of suffering and of a musical setting of divine love that is simply unrivalled in music history. The work draws heavily on the Latin chant Vexilla Regis by sixth century hymnographer Venatius Fortunatis as well as Lutheran chorales by Hassler and Johann von Rist. The work contains what I believe to be Liszt’s most sublime and forward-looking harmonic language, particularly in the movements devoted to the Theotokos, or Virgin Mary. I am performing Liszt’s own piano solo version of the work which was originally scored for chorus and organ or piano. Text from Station XII: Jesus dies on the cross Text by Friedrich Spee (1628) O Traurigkeit, O Herzeleid! Ist das nicht zu beklagen? Gott des Vaters einigs Kind Wird ins Grab getragen. O sorrow, O heartache, Is this not a reason to mourn? The only Child of God the Father Will be carried to His grave. O sorrow, O heartache.