JOHN STAINER: THE CRUCIFIXION – new critical edition published by the Royal School of Church Music
‘This is an exciting and important addition to RSCM's catalogue. Authoritatively edited, clearly laid out, and handsomely presented, this volume is ideal for every choir performing this classic work.’
Bertie Baigent, Director of Music, St Marylebone Parish Church, Marylebone
The Royal School of Church Music announces the publication of a new Critical Edition of Sir John Stainer’s The Crucifixion, edited by the leading Stainer expert, Professor Jeremy Dibble, with reference to the existing Novello editions (first published in 1887) but, more importantly, using Stainer's original manuscript, recently given to the Durham University Library. This handsome new edition has comprehensive introductory, editorial and performance notes, uses state-of-the art music engraving, and includes facsimile pages from Stainer’s original autograph manuscript. The new edition is compatible, page for page, with existing editions, so can be used where others will be using other editions.
The Crucifixion: A Meditation on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer is an oratorio composed by John Stainer (1840–1901) in 1887. It is scored in 20 movements for a SATB choir and organ, and features solos for bass and tenor. The words were selected and written by Reverend William John Sparrow Simpson. Stainer intended the piece to be within the scope of most parish church choirs and it includes five hymns for congregational participation. Its structure is clearly modelled on the scheme of choruses, chorales, recitatives and arias of Bach’s St Matthew Passion, which in 1873 Stainer had introduced into the Music for Holy Week at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Written for St Marylebone Parish Church, Marylebone, London, where Stainer’s former pupil William Hodge was organist, The Crucifixion was premiered there on 24 February 1887, the day after Ash Wednesday, where a choir of boys and men was directed by Stainer himself with the organ accompaniment provided by Hodge. It received its first performance in the United States at St Luke’s Church, Baltimore, on Palm Sunday, 3 April 1887. Aided by positive press coverage (some of which is pasted into the front and back of the autograph manuscript), the work was quickly taken up by parish choirs throughout the United Kingdom, the Empire and the United States, and soon became a fixture of Holy Week. There have been performances in St Marylebone Parish Church annually since then, and in its Good Friday performance on 7 April this year, the choir will be using this new edition for the first time. Stainer envisaged that The Crucifixion should be available to as wide a range of church choirs and organists as possible and the work remains a staple of the repertoire of choral music for Passiontide and Easter.
£6.95 paperback
Publisher: RSCM Press
ISBN: 9780854023363
Available from the RSCM’s webshop https://www.rscmshop.com/books/9780854023363/stainer-the-crucifixion--new-critical-edition
About the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM)
The RSCM is the Salisbury-based, national, independent charity enabling the flourishing of church music. As the central ‘home’ of church music, the RSCM provides relevant education, training and resources to its membership, the wider church, and beyond. It is committed to encouraging the best of music in worship, and to advocating music as a tool for growth of the church.
The RSCM supports thousands of Affiliated churches across the UK and worldwide through its international partners. In addition, it also supports many schools and Individual members, and its work is sustained by thousands of Friends, Regular Givers and other donors.
The RSCM is an open, life-long learning organisation, offering face-to-face and distance education and training through its programmes, published resources, courses and activities.
Founded by Sir Sydney Nicholson in 1927, the RSCM’s original emphases were English and choral. Now, in a diverse international context, the RSCM’s work is far broader and more diverse, and aims to make all its work ecumenical in purpose, nature and content.
HM The Queen was RSCM’S Royal Patron from 1952 until her recent death, and its president is The Most Revd and Rt Hon The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. The organisation celebrates its centenary in 2027.
For further press information/review copies, please contact Frances Wilson frances_wilson66@live.com
