Good Friday: Stainer's Crucifixion

for 1 hour
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU 020 7427 0133, EC4Y 8AU, United Kingdom

Good Friday is the most bleak and dark day of Holy Week. We mark this in music, words and prayer at St Bride’s in our Three Hours’ Devotion which concludes at 2pm with a performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion by St Bride’s Choir.

You are warmly invited to join us at 2pm for this free performance or to attend earlier during our Three Hours’ Devotion which begins at 12noon with a performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater followed by an hour of readings, hymns and prayer at 1pm.

Stainer composed the “Crucifixion” in 1886-87 whilst organist at St Paul’s Cathedral. It is dedicated to William Hodge, his pupil and friend, who was organist at St Marylebone Church where it was premiered on Good Friday, 1887.

Conceived by Stainer as a ‘A Meditation on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer’ it is written for tenor and bass soloists, accompanied by choir and organ. Its structure is inspired by Bach’s great St John and St Matthew Passions. However, it lacks orchestral accompaniment as Stainer intended it to be performed by the forces available to a musically competent parish. Despite this, the skilful organ writing suggests a greater support for the singers than just one instrument.

Accessibility was key for Stainer and the work’s structure includes five hymns within it which are crucial to its impact. The congregation stand and take part by joining in with these hymns in this poignant retelling of the Passion of Christ.

Though the premiere was a success, the work, and in particular the libretto by the Reverend William Sparrow-Simpson, received harsh criticism and has continued to do so down the years.

However, its popularity with congregations and audiences at services and concerts has endured and it has outlived most other music of the Victorian period. It certainly remains one of the most popular musical moments in our calendar at St Bride’s.

SUPPORT MUSIC-MAKING AT ST BRIDE'S

We are hugely grateful for people's generosity. If you would like to make a donation to support St Bride's ministry, music, and architectural heritage, please do so at https://www.justgiving.com/stbrideschurchfleetstreet

More info Join online

St Bride's Church, Fleet Street

St Bride’s, Fleet Street is a warm and welcoming Christian community, and one of the most famous and fascinating historic churches in London.

A place of Christian worship for 1500 years, we continue to proclaim God’s love in the heart of the city. We are a thriving parish church, renowned for our outstanding music and unique ministry to all who work in the media.

Choral services take place every Sunday at 11am & 5:30pm both in church online with a host of other services and events throughout the year. Check our website for further information → https://www.stbrides.com 

The parish of St Bride Fleet Street is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of London’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.

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Get in touch

Claire Seaton

St Bride's Church
Fleet Street
London

EC4Y 8AU
Administrator
020 7427 0133

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Good Friday: Stainer's Crucifixion

for 1 hour
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU 020 7427 0133, EC4Y 8AU, United Kingdom

Good Friday is the most bleak and dark day of Holy Week. We mark this in music, words and prayer at St Bride’s in our Three Hours’ Devotion which concludes at 2pm with a performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion by St Bride’s Choir.

You are warmly invited to join us at 2pm for this free performance or to attend earlier during our Three Hours’ Devotion which begins at 12noon with a performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater followed by an hour of readings, hymns and prayer at 1pm.

Stainer composed the “Crucifixion” in 1886-87 whilst organist at St Paul’s Cathedral. It is dedicated to William Hodge, his pupil and friend, who was organist at St Marylebone Church where it was premiered on Good Friday, 1887.

Conceived by Stainer as a ‘A Meditation on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer’ it is written for tenor and bass soloists, accompanied by choir and organ. Its structure is inspired by Bach’s great St John and St Matthew Passions. However, it lacks orchestral accompaniment as Stainer intended it to be performed by the forces available to a musically competent parish. Despite this, the skilful organ writing suggests a greater support for the singers than just one instrument.

Accessibility was key for Stainer and the work’s structure includes five hymns within it which are crucial to its impact. The congregation stand and take part by joining in with these hymns in this poignant retelling of the Passion of Christ.

Though the premiere was a success, the work, and in particular the libretto by the Reverend William Sparrow-Simpson, received harsh criticism and has continued to do so down the years.

However, its popularity with congregations and audiences at services and concerts has endured and it has outlived most other music of the Victorian period. It certainly remains one of the most popular musical moments in our calendar at St Bride’s.

SUPPORT MUSIC-MAKING AT ST BRIDE'S

We are hugely grateful for people's generosity. If you would like to make a donation to support St Bride's ministry, music, and architectural heritage, please do so at https://www.justgiving.com/stbrideschurchfleetstreet

More info Join online
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street Charity No. 1131311