About
The choir of St Patrick's Church, Coleraine will present 'The Crucifixion' by John Stainer on Friday 18 April 2025 – Good Friday - at 7.30pm in the church. Soloists are Glenn Tweedie (tenor) and Matthew Quirk (bass). The organ accompanist is Andrew Harrison. The church choir is augmented by guest singers from other churches. Stainer's 'Crucifixion' is a meditation on Jesus's Holy Passion, the words selected and written by the Reverend J Sparrow-Simpson. It includes the much loved 'God So Loved the World' and the triumphal final hymn 'All for Jesus' for which the work is particularly noted.
Stainer composed The Crucifixion in 1887 as an oratorio for a mixed choir and organ, featuring solos for tenor and bass. The piece relates the biblical narrative of the Passion and Crucifixion. The biblical narrative (sung) is interspersed with choruses, solos and hymns reflecting the Passion story. Stainer intended the piece to be within the scope of most parish church choirs and it has remained popular to this day, usually presented during Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter Sunday. St Patrick's choir last presented The Crucifixion in 2019.
One critic, the theologian Lousie J Lawrence says The Crucifixion conveys 'theology and scripture at its most profound' and the melodies 'as tools of glorification for God'. Musicologist Jeremy Dibble refers to the piece's 'rich, chromatic harmony' and singles out the series of five hymns for particular praise, saying:
'Much of the mystical spirit of The Crucifixion is derived from its treasure-trove of mid-Victorian hymns, so characteristic for their colourful, devotional language. Stainer's hymns, all winners are full of vibrant artistry.'
John Stainer (1840-1901) was an English organist and composer of church music. As a boy he sang in the choir of St Paul's Cathedral and at age 32 was appointed organist at St Paul's, serving until 1888 when he resigned due to failing eyesight. He was founder of the Royal Musical Association and knighted in 1888. From 1889 he was a professor of music at Oxford University until his death. He composed songs as well as cantatas, services and anthems; his anthem 'How Beautiful Upon the Mountains' is stunning in its simple yet powerful harmonies. He dedicated The Crucifixion to 'my pupil and friend W Hodge and the choir of Marylebone Church' where it is still performed annually.
St Patrick's Church, Coleraine helps to sustain and promote the richness of the Anglican choral tradition through its choir which often presents the service of Choral Evensong as well as leading congregational praise each Sunday. Everyone is invited to St Patrick's to this presentation of The Crucifixion.
