St. Paul's Cathedral Choir, London / John Scott - John Stainer: The Crucifixion album download

John Stainer: The Crucifixion. John Stainer: The Crucifixion. David Wilson-Johnson.

Choir of boys and gentlemen based in St Paul's Cathedral, London, England, its earliest records date from 1127. In 1872, the Cathedral appointed John Stainer as Organist. He proposed to found a choir of 40 boys and 18 men (or Vicars Choral), requested more rehearsal time for the Vicars Choral as well as a more professional approach altogether, thus sowing the seeds of today's musical tradition.

John Stainer (1840-1901) Psalm 41 ‘Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy’ Samuel Wesley (1766-1837) & Anonymous Psalm 42 ‘Like as the hart desireth the waterbrooks’ Psalm 43 ‘Give sentence with me, O God, and defend my cause against the ungodly people’ Joseph Barnby (1838-1896) & Anonymous Psalm 44 ‘We have heard with our ears, O God’ Robert Cooke.

Sir John Stainer (6 June 1840 – 31 March 1901) was an English composer and organist whose music, though not generally much performed today (except for The Crucifixion, still heard at Passiontide in many churches of the Anglican Communion), was very popular during his lifetime. His work as choir trainer and organist set standards for Anglican church music that are still influential. He was also active as an academic, becoming Heather Professor of Music at Oxford.