The Way of the Cross | Newbury Chamber Choir

Franz Liszt's 'Via Crucis' (Way of the Cross) is a musical work that was composed in 1878 as a meditative reflection on the 14 Stations of the Cross, which are a set of 14 events that depict the final hours of Jesus Christ's life, from his condemnation by Pontius Pilate to his crucifixion and death. The work is scored for mixed choir and organ and contains 14 short movements, each of which corresponds to one of the Stations of the Cross. The music is characterized by its contemplative nature and its use of simple, unadorned harmonies and melodies.

Bruckner's sacred motets are a collection of choral works that he composed over the course of his career, many of them written in the last years of his life. These works are characterized by their grand and majestic nature, with rich harmonies and complex polyphonic textures.

Both Liszt's Via Crucis and Bruckner's sacred motets are considered to be deeply religious and spiritual works, reflective of the composers' deep faith and devotion. They are considered to be masterpieces of sacred choral music, and are still performed and appreciated today.