Naxos
Stainer: The Crucifixion / Gilchrist, Bailey, Brown, Et Al
$19.99
Only 2 left
Details
- Composer
- STAINER
- Artist
- CLARE COLLEGE CHOIR/BROWN
- Format
- CD
- Label
- Naxos
- Released
- May 17, 2005
- Catalog #
- 8557624
- UPC
- 747313262427
About
Although John Stainer borrowed some ideas from Bach's Passions for setting his "meditation" on the Crucifixion of Christ, unfortunately the manner of the work's opening wasn't one of them. Instead of engaging the audience/congregation and setting the mood with a strong choral statement, Stainer opted to begin with many minutes of recitative and solo singing, occasionally punctuated by some very staid, musically unremarkable choral interjections. What should be a profoundly moving, serious scene is introduced with no solid musico/dramatic context, and the actual musical ideas--especially the meandering melodies--are common rather than exceptional. I realize that this work has long held a place of great reverence by many singers and congregations, but this is due more to its being tailor-made for regular parish church choirs and organists (and we can always use more of those kinds of pieces!) than for its musical depth or sophistication.
Whatever the case, millions of people love Stainer's Crucifixion--or more accurately, most love it for its one shining moment, the chorus God so loved the world, and rightly so, for these famous words from John 3: 16, 17 never have been more affecting or effectively rendered in music. Somehow, even though the rest of the work sounds stylistically dated in its predictable late-Romantic harmony, melodramatic expression, and often quaint language ("Fling wide the gates, for the Saviour waits" is one of the cornier phrases), this chorus holds up even today and stands on its own as a small masterpiece.
Not surprisingly, Timothy Brown and his first-rate Clare College Choir (along with organist Stephen Farr) deliver very fine performances, sounding as if they truly are among those who love this work (and the complementary Guildford Cathedral acoustics also are an asset). Tenor James Gilchrist is less convincing, his expression often overly mannered--although, given the nature of the music he has to work with, I suppose we can't blame him! Likewise, bass Simon Bailey tries hard to find something musically profound in his solos, but in the process his wide vibrato becomes distracting. In sum, this Crucifixion is as good as the one recorded by the Peterborough Cathedral Choir on Resonance, and, dare I say it, if you like this work, you'll find what you're looking for here.
--David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com
Whatever the case, millions of people love Stainer's Crucifixion--or more accurately, most love it for its one shining moment, the chorus God so loved the world, and rightly so, for these famous words from John 3: 16, 17 never have been more affecting or effectively rendered in music. Somehow, even though the rest of the work sounds stylistically dated in its predictable late-Romantic harmony, melodramatic expression, and often quaint language ("Fling wide the gates, for the Saviour waits" is one of the cornier phrases), this chorus holds up even today and stands on its own as a small masterpiece.
Not surprisingly, Timothy Brown and his first-rate Clare College Choir (along with organist Stephen Farr) deliver very fine performances, sounding as if they truly are among those who love this work (and the complementary Guildford Cathedral acoustics also are an asset). Tenor James Gilchrist is less convincing, his expression often overly mannered--although, given the nature of the music he has to work with, I suppose we can't blame him! Likewise, bass Simon Bailey tries hard to find something musically profound in his solos, but in the process his wide vibrato becomes distracting. In sum, this Crucifixion is as good as the one recorded by the Peterborough Cathedral Choir on Resonance, and, dare I say it, if you like this work, you'll find what you're looking for here.
--David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com
Tracklist 20 tracks
-
1 Recitative: And they came to a place named Gethsemane (Tenor) 01:32
- Track
- 1
- Title
- Recitative: And they came to a place named Gethsemane (Tenor)
- Duration
- 01:32
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- James Gilchrist, Stephen Farr
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
2 The Agony (Bass, Chorus) - Recitative: And they laid their hands on Him (Tenor, Bass) 06:24
- Track
- 2
- Title
- The Agony (Bass, Chorus) - Recitative: And they laid their hands on Him (Tenor, Bass)
- Duration
- 06:24
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- James Gilchrist, Simon Bailey, Stephen Farr
- Ensemble
- The Choir of Clare College Cambridge
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
3 Processional to Calvary (Tenor, Chorus) 10:04
- Track
- 3
- Title
- Processional to Calvary (Tenor, Chorus)
- Duration
- 10:04
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- James Gilchrist, Stephen Farr
- Ensemble
- The Choir of Clare College Cambridge
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
4 Recitative: And when they were come (Bass) 01:00
- Track
- 4
- Title
- Recitative: And when they were come (Bass)
- Duration
- 01:00
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- Simon Bailey, Stephen Farr
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
5 Hymn: The Mystery of the Divine Humiliation 03:00
- Track
- 5
- Title
- Hymn: The Mystery of the Divine Humiliation
- Duration
- 03:00
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- Stephen Farr
- Ensemble
- The Choir of Clare College Cambridge
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
6 Recitative: He made Himself of no reputation (Bass) 01:21
- Track
- 6
- Title
- Recitative: He made Himself of no reputation (Bass)
- Duration
- 01:21
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- Simon Bailey, Stephen Farr
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
7 The Majesty of the Divine Humiliation (Tenor) 04:14
- Track
- 7
- Title
- The Majesty of the Divine Humiliation (Tenor)
- Duration
- 04:14
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- James Gilchrist, Stephen Farr
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
8 Recitative: And as Moses lifted up the serpent (Bass) 01:12
- Track
- 8
- Title
- Recitative: And as Moses lifted up the serpent (Bass)
- Duration
- 01:12
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- Simon Bailey, Stephen Farr
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
9 Chorus: God so loved the world 03:34
- Track
- 9
- Title
- Chorus: God so loved the world
- Duration
- 03:34
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- Stephen Farr
- Ensemble
- The Choir of Clare College Cambridge
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
10 Hymn: Litany of the Passion 04:19
- Track
- 10
- Title
- Hymn: Litany of the Passion
- Duration
- 04:19
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- Stephen Farr
- Ensemble
- The Choir of Clare College Cambridge
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
11 Recitative: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them" (Tenor, Chorus) 00:47
- Track
- 11
- Title
- Recitative: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them" (Tenor, Chorus)
- Duration
- 00:47
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- James Gilchrist, Stephen Farr
- Ensemble
- The Choir of Clare College Cambridge
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
12 Duet: So Thou liftest Thy divine petition (Tenor, Bass) 04:51
- Track
- 12
- Title
- Duet: So Thou liftest Thy divine petition (Tenor, Bass)
- Duration
- 04:51
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- James Gilchrist, Simon Bailey, Stephen Farr
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
13 Hymn: The Mystery of the Intercession 05:09
- Track
- 13
- Title
- Hymn: The Mystery of the Intercession
- Duration
- 05:09
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- Stephen Farr
- Ensemble
- The Choir of Clare College Cambridge
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
14 Recitative: And one of the malefactors (Tenor, Bass, Chorus) 02:38
- Track
- 14
- Title
- Recitative: And one of the malefactors (Tenor, Bass, Chorus)
- Duration
- 02:38
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- James Gilchrist, Simon Bailey, Stephen Farr
- Ensemble
- The Choir of Clare College Cambridge
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
15 Hymn: The Adoration of the Crucified 01:46
- Track
- 15
- Title
- Hymn: The Adoration of the Crucified
- Duration
- 01:46
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- Stephen Farr
- Ensemble
- The Choir of Clare College Cambridge
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
16 Recitative: When Jesus therefore saw His mother (Tenor, Bass, Chorus) 02:55
- Track
- 16
- Title
- Recitative: When Jesus therefore saw His mother (Tenor, Bass, Chorus)
- Duration
- 02:55
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- James Gilchrist, Simon Bailey, Stephen Farr
- Ensemble
- The Choir of Clare College Cambridge
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
17 Recitative: Is it nothing to you? (Bass) 01:14
- Track
- 17
- Title
- Recitative: Is it nothing to you? (Bass)
- Duration
- 01:14
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- Simon Bailey, Stephen Farr
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
18 Chorus: The Appeal of the Crucified 06:10
- Track
- 18
- Title
- Chorus: The Appeal of the Crucified
- Duration
- 06:10
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- Stephen Farr
- Ensemble
- The Choir of Clare College Cambridge
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
19 Recitative: After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished (Tenor, Chorus) 02:12
- Track
- 19
- Title
- Recitative: After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished (Tenor, Chorus)
- Duration
- 02:12
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- James Gilchrist, Stephen Farr
- Ensemble
- The Choir of Clare College Cambridge
- Conductor
- Tim Brown
-
20 Hymn: For the love of Jesus 02:28
- Track
- 20
- Title
- Hymn: For the love of Jesus
- Duration
- 02:28
- Composer
- John Stainer
- Performer
- Stephen Farr
- Ensemble
- The Choir of Clare College Cambridge
- Conductor
- Tim Brown