This is a large scale improvisation on the biblical themes associated with Good Friday. It is a long piece and is not intended as 'easy listening' as is reflected by the theme. I would recommend good headphones, armchair and beverage.
The piece starts with contrapuntal weaving material depicting Jesus' gospel ministry building in tension as he is pursued by those who love him and those who despise him climaxing in plans to kill him.
This is followed by his passionate vigil of deep prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (
07:12) where he is eventually arrested.
Peter denys his knowledge of Jesus (
10:28) to the doubts and mutterings of those who recognise him. This is followed by Peter's deep sorrow and frustration.
The final section (
12:12) represents Jesus' carrying the cross to his eventual death with an 'accidental' mid-improvisation use of organ action noise to represent the prospect of Jesus expecting to be nailed to the cross on his arduous journey to the place of the skull. This section climaxes in bitter-sweet lamenting chords attempting to represent Jesus nailed to the cross in the gravest humiliation and pain as the saviour, taking on the worlds sin, dying in our place. This is deep sadness mixed with the highest joy at Jesus taking the penalty of sin for believers finally and forever in completeness.
Afterwards follows the flow of precious blood from his hands and feet and the water flowing from his side (
18:19) having immense power to cleanse all nations from sin who repent and are baptised.
Jesus' body is taken down from the cross and sealed in the tomb (
21:22) surrounded by deep sadness mixed with wonder and perplexity over what is to come in the future.
Amongst those who surrounded him who have yet to grasp the meaning of all of this, there is the glimmer of hope that he will return victoriously.
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