John Stainer - The Crucifixion
​for Soloists, Choir and Chamber Ensemble

The Crucifixion by John Stainer is described as a 'Meditation on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer', and tells the story of the final days of Jesus's life, including his Seven Last Words from the Cross. Stainer composed the piece in 1887 for the choir of Marylebone Church in London. He wanted to write a piece for Easter that followed the model of J.S. Bach's St Matthew Passion and St John Passion, but for smaller forces in a single hour-long piece. Like Bach's music, there is a mixture of choral music, solo arias, a duet and hymns for the whole congregation in the church to join in. This new arrangement of the organ part is for an instrumental ensemble of seven musicians: oboe, clarinet, and five string players. It attempts to breathe new life into the simple organ part, creating something more elaborate and detailed. The instrumental writing is highly expressive, giving greater urgency and emotional interest to the piece. This arrangement is for chamber orchestra and is the complete work unabridged.

Instrumentation: oboe, clarinet, violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, double bass (strings can be single parts or a medium-sized section of around 4, 3, 3, 3, 1), tenor solo, bass solo, SATB choir
Organ can be used in the hymns for performances with an audience or congregation.

​​​Available to hire or purchase from Aria Editions here

The arrangement was commissioned and performed by St Martin's Voices with the London Mozart Players, conducted by Andrew Earis, on 24th March 2021 at St Martin-in-the Fields Church, London. The soloists were Robin Bailey (tenor) and Andrew Davies (baritone).

Listen to extracts of the performance here:

1. Recitative & 2. Could ye not watch with me (7'48)
​3. Fling wide the gates (10'27)
4. Recitative & 5. Cross of Jesus (2'51)
6. Recitative & 7. King ever glorious (5'10)
8. Recitative & 9. God so loved the world (5'40)
10. Holy Jesu, by Thy Passion & 11. Recitative (4'04)
12. So Thou liftest Thy divine petition (4'54)
13. Jesus, the Crucified, pleads for me (4'38)
14. Recitative & 15. I Adore Thee (4'34)
16. Recitative, 17. Recitative & 18. From the Throne of the Cross (10'11)
19. Recitative & 20. All for Jesus (4'44)

Watch a complete performance from St Josaphat's Church, Bayside, New York, USA