John Stainer: 'Processional to Calvary', from 'The Crucifixion' (piano version)

The last few weeks of Lent are, in the the UK at least, 'oratorio season' where choirs all over the land put on performances of Bach Passions and other weighty choral works. A great favourite with church choirs is Stainer's 'Crucifixion' a work on a modest scale (soloists choir and organ) designated as a meditation on the Passion and designed to be performed in a church (it is often played in the context of a service). Stainer (1840-1901) wrote the work in 1887. This piece - the sole instrumental movement in the work - constitutes the extended organ instroduction to a chorus 'Fling wide the gates!', but can (I think) work as an independent piece. For this piano version I have filled the plain texture to cast it in the mould of a Mendelssohn 'Song without Words' and added a cadence where it would lead into the chorus.
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Played by Phillip Sear
http://www.psear.co.uk

Category:

Music

Tags:

• piano
• classical
• sacred
• Victorian
• church
• liturgical
• British

[TheUjay]

Wow. This sounds good. I was wondering if you can do "The Crucifixion" By: Samuel Barber. Only the piano alone. Please and thank you. :)

[PSearPianist]

@TheUjay Thank you. I will have a look at it (if I have got it), although I thought that it was a song with voice and piano.

[wigandolly]

yes i chanced upon it quite by accident whilst looking for memories from when our 6th form used to perform the crucifixion way back in the late 80's. i love your rendition and am actually listening to it for the fourth time as i type!! beautiful. x

[PSearPianist]

@wigandolly Thank you for that. I like to think that my piano rendition of this part of the work will bring the whole to the attention of people who would not go to see a performance in a church (where it is often done in the context of a service).

[wigandolly]

loved this!!! x

[PSearPianist]

@wigandolly Thank you - you certainly chose a very appropriate day to view it.

[PSearPianist]

Thank you very much for your kind comment. I had almost forgotten doing this video - but of course it is now Holy Week as I write, and I guess that the work will be getting lots of performances. I have to say that I would much rather hear the work performed with piano (and with a filled out accompaniment) than with the organ.

[johnhaywardbrown]

Thank you for a beautiful rendition. Stainer's Crucifixtion means SO much to me! Well played. My grandmother sang in Stainer's Crucifixtion in a big London choir back in the early 1900s. I still have her original score - very dear to me. God bless you!!

[PSearPianist]

Thanks for your kind comment. I hope you enjoyed performing it. Of course now we are approaching Whitsun, the piece is a bit 'out of season' as I write!

[jakeyjazz]

Wow, I think this is marvellous! Clean and pure playing, really allowing some of the more passionate harmonies to shine through. 5 stars from me!

It makes a change from the choral/organ version

I was the tenor soloist in a recent performance of this, and it really is a pity that this piece isn't better known.

With best wishes