Haydn - Seven Last Words of Christ
Haydn - Seven Last Words of Christ
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Thursday & Friday, April 17 & 18, 2025
7pm | Old Thompson Barn
Join us on a spiritual journey, finding solace, forgiveness, tenderness, grief, peace, hope, and rebirth, through deep reflection upon the seven last words of Christ, in words and music.
I. Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
II. Today you will be with me in paradise.
III. Woman, behold, thy son! Son, behold, thy mother!
IV. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
V. I thirst.
VI. It is finished.
VII. Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.
About
This unique performance weaves together the exquisite beauty of Haydn's string quartet with thoughtful reflections from diverse spiritual leaders, creating a profound and moving experience.
Haydn's work, originally commissioned for a Good Friday service at Cádiz Cathedral in Spain in 1785, is a powerful meditation on the final words of Jesus Christ. Since 2013, BenFeng Music Productions has embraced this worldwide tradition, bringing this timeless piece to audiences in Lyons, Boulder, Denver, and numerous cities in Taiwan, consistently inviting spiritual leaders from various faiths to offer their unique insights.
Haydn originally composed the work for orchestra, later adapting it for string quartet, a format that allows for an intimate and deeply personal connection with the music. The BenFeng Music Productions performance will feature a string quartet comprised of accomplished local musicians: violinists MinTze Wu and Camille Backman, violist Delaney Meyers, and cellist Sarah Graf.
Accompanying the quartet will be reflections delivered by distinguished spiritual leaders from the Roaring Fork Valley's diverse faith communities. Speakers include Reverend E. Wendy Huber of St. Peter's of the Valley, Lisa Goddard of Roaring Fork Insight and Buddhist practice, Paul Dankers and Peter Wescott of Two Rivers Unitarian Universalists, Pastor Emeritus Doug Self of The Orchard, Reverend Rebecca Dunagan of Roaring Fork United Methodist, Rita Marsh of The Center for Human Flourishing, and Reverend Nicholas Vesey of Aspen Chapel.
Each speaker will provide a thoughtful reflection on the Last Words before the corresponding musical movement, offering unique perspectives on themes of life, death, and spiritual rebirth. The piece begins with an "Introduzione," setting the stage for the seven musical meditations on the Last Words, which are excerpts from the four Gospels. The performance culminates in the dramatic and evocative "Earthquake" movement.
This performance offers an exceptional opportunity for people of all faiths and backgrounds to come together in a shared spiritual experience, reflecting on the universal themes of mortality, solace, forgiveness, and hope. The timing of this event, just before Easter, makes it a particularly poignant and meaningful experience, serving as a powerful prelude to the annual celebration of resurrection and renewal.
Meet the Musicians
MinTze Wu
artistic director, violin
MinTze Wu is a violinist of many passions, and a visionary with illuminating artistry. A native of Taiwan and deeply rooted in the richness of chamber music, MinTze expands from the tradition and explores new possibilities of experiencing music as performing art. Infused with spirit, precision, and soulfulness, MinTze has founded Sounds of Lyons and BenFeng Music Productions, and serves as Executive & Artistic Director of VOICES 2022.
Camille Backman
violin
Camille Backman is a Belgian-American musician and improviser currently based in the Roaring Fork Valley. Her favorite performances in recent years include King Phillipe of Belgium's 60th birthday celebration, Projekt Borba in Bulgaria, Bruxelles Jazz Fest, and most recently at Mountain Fair as part of the Audubon society's 'For The Birds: Birdsong Project'. She thrives in opportunities to perform in unconventional settings and appreciates the ways in which music heals and creates community.
Delaney Meyers
viola
Delaney Meyers is a multifaceted violinist and violist originally from Columbus, Ohio and currently based in Carbondale, CO. She enjoys a varied career in education, arts administration, and performance in multiple musical styles. Meyers is a Teaching Artist for the Aspen Music Festival and School's AfterWorks programs, Music Coordinator of Basalt Regional Library's concert series, and maintains a private violin/viola studio in Carbondale. She is committed to building community and sharing our wild human experience through dynamic, creative, and expressive arts programming.
Sarah Graff
cello
Sarah Graf is an avid chamber musician, soloist, and teacher, playing on modern and baroque cello, and viola da gamba. Sarah is an enthusiastic performer of both early and contemporary music and enjoys how this inspires the interpretation of music of all eras. While Sarah’s passion lies in the collaborative realm of chamber music, she also performs with ensembles across the Colorado region and serves as a director of the Colorado Plateau Chamber Music Society and as Executive & Co-Music Director of the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra.
Guest Speakers
(In Order of Appearance)
Reverend E. Wendy Huber
St. Peters of the Valley
I. Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
The Reverend E. Wendy Huber is an Episcopal priest serving St Peter’s of the Valley in Basalt, CO. She is passionate about peacemaking and had a successful career as a lawyer and mediator prior to the priesthood. She has served in numerous leadership roles from gardening to training to consulting. She refers to herself as a “sheepdog”. Ask her!
Lisa Goddard
Roaring Fork Insight
II. Today you will be with me in paradise.
Lisa Goddard is the founder and lead teacher of Roaring Fork Insight, the meditation practice community dedicated to the study and practice of the Buddhist ideals of mindfulness, ethics, compassion, loving-kindness, and liberation. Inspired by Suzuki Roshi and Ajahn Chah, she trained at Green Gulch, Spirit Rock, and with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. A UCLA-certified Mindfulness Facilitator and Eco-Chaplain, she's a member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association and continues her dharma leadership training with Gil Fronsdal.
Paul Dankers
Two Rivers Unitarian Universalists
III. Woman, behold, thy son! Son, behold, thy mother!
Paul Dankers earned music degrees from the Universities of Wisconsin and Southern Mississippi, beginning his career teaching in Wisconsin, where he also founded a community theater. He then taught music, theory, and composition at Aspen Middle and High School, developing strong classroom management skills with the Love and Logic method. Since moving to Aspen, Paul has been a musical jack-of-all-trades, participating in community theater, orchestras, and choirs. After leaving Snowmass Chapel in 2024, Paul transitioned to psychedelic facilitation and now co-directs music for the Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Carbondale with his husband Michael Schoepe.
Peter Westcott
Two Rivers Unitarian Universalists
III. Woman, behold, thy son! Son, behold, thy mother!
Peter Westcott serves as the Chair of the Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Committee. Drawing upon his extensive experience as a former educator in the Roaring Fork Valley, he brings a dedicated commitment to community engagement. His academic background in Environmental Studies/Education from the University of Michigan–Dearborn informs his holistic approach to social justice advocacy. Peter firmly believes in the transformative power of supportive, loving communities, emphasizing the importance of deep listening, empathy, curiosity, and love as fundamental tools for fostering understanding and positive change.
Pastor Emeritus Doug Self
The Orchard
IV. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Doug Self, along with his wife Rebecca, played a pivotal role in the establishment of The Orchard church in 1990. In addition to his preaching and teaching responsibilities, he directs The Orchard’s Guest Services team and provides weekly counseling. Possessing Masters and Doctoral degrees in Pastoral Ministry with a specialization in counseling, he also received mentorship from Dr. Louis McBurney, founder of Marble Retreat. With nearly five decades of ministerial service in the valley, he has extended his counseling expertise to numerous individuals.
Reverend Rebecca Dunagan
Roaring Fork United Methodist
V. I thirst.
Rev. Rebecca brings a passion for connection, transformation, and inclusive faith communities. An ordained United Methodist pastor, she has served churches across Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Utah. A certified Integral Coach and Enneagram practitioner, she integrates spiritual and somatic wisdom. She lives in the Roaring Fork Valley with her family.
Rita Marsh
The Center for Human Flourishing
VI. It is finished.
Rita E. Marsh, a nurse and Family Nurse Practitioner for 45+ years, co-founded The Center for Human Flourishing in Carbondale, Colorado. She specializes in education on well-being, aging, and life transitions. Passionate about bioregional regeneration, she believes health starts from the ground up through connection with nature.
Reverend Nicholas Vesey
Aspen Chapel
VII. Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.
Nicholas is the minister at the Aspen Chapel. He came from England, where he worked as a priest in the Church of England, in 2014. He has been committed to a path of personal transformation for 40 years; exploring the relationship between consciousness and spirituality through all the great wisdom traditions.
Program
I. Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Reverend Wendy Hubert, St. Peters of the Valley
II. Today you will be with me in paradise.
Lisa Goddard, Roaring Fork Insight
III. Woman, behold, thy son! Son, behold, thy mother!
Paul Dankers & Peter Wescott, Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist
IV. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Pastor Emeritus Doug Self, The Orchard
V. I thirst.
Reverend Rebecca Dunagan, Roaring Fork United Methodist
VI. It is finished.
Rita Marsh, The Center for Human Flourishing
VII. Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.
Reverend Nicholas Vesey, Aspen Chapel
Poster
BenFeng Music Productions
Team
MinTze Wu | Executive & Artistic Director
Jem Moore | Media Production
Adelaide Moore | Stage Manager
Elizabeth Winn | Publicity & Design
Board
Janet Braccio
Sharon Caulfield
Amy Kimberly
Barn Music Series is made possible by partnership with Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty.