Short bio John Stainer
Birthday:
1840 in London, England
Died:
1901 in Verona, Italy
Genre:
Classical
Period:
Romantic
Full biography John Stainer
John Stainer (6 June 1840 – 31 March 1901) was an English composer and organist who made significant contributions to 19th-century church music. He was born in London and began studying music at an early age, showing great talent as a choirboy. He later attended Oxford University and then became the organist at St. Paul's Cathedral in London in 1872, a position that he held until his death.
Stainer's musical output was vast and included a range of genres. He wrote church music such as cantatas, services, anthems, and oratorios that are still performed today and enjoyed wide acceptance in his time. His most popular work, The Crucifixion, is an oratorio that was written in 1887 and has remained popular among church choirs since its inception. He also wrote secular music such as songs and instrumental pieces.
Stainer was a respected musicologist and scholar, and he wrote several books on music theory and the history of music, including Music of the Bible, The Elements of Harmony, and The Musician's Companion. He was also dedicated to music education and served as a professor at Oxford University and at the Royal College of Music.
Despite his contributions to music, some scholars have criticized Stainer's work as uninspired and lacking in originality. However, his influence on English church music is undeniable, and his compositions remain an important part of the choral repertoire.
In summary, John Stainer was an English composer, organist, and musicologist who made significant contributions to church music during the 19th century. He produced a large body of work that included church music, secular music, and music theory books. Though his work has been criticized by some scholars, his compositions are still performed today and continue to be an important part of the choral repertoire.
Compositions featuring John Stainer
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flora's Queen, for 6 voices | 5:24 min | Choral | 1899 |
| 2 | The Advent Antiphons, for chorus & organ | 8:12 min | Choral | 1896 |
| 3 | The Crucifixion, for tenor, bass, chorus & organ | 60:46 min | Choral | 1887 |
| 4 | I am Alpha and Omega, for chorus & organ | 5:23 min | Choral | 1878 |
| 5 | How Beautiful Upon the Mountain, anthem for chorus & organ | 2:46 min | Choral | 1871 |
| 6 | The castle by the sea, for 10 voices | 6:48 min | Choral | 1865 |
| 7 | Like as a ship, for 8 voices | 5:02 min | Choral | 1865 |
| 8 | Disappointment, for 6 voices | 4:57 min | Choral | 1865 |
| 9 | Dry your sweet cheek, for 8 voices | 3:36 min | Choral | 1865 |
| 10 | Psalm 41 "Beatus Qui Intelligit" | 4:56 min | Choral | - |
| 11 | Psalm 128 "Blessed Are All They That Fear the Lord" | 1:47 min | Choral | - |
| 12 | Psalm 23, for chorus & organ | 2:31 min | Choral | - |
| 13 | Psalm 9 "Confitebor Tibi" | 6:03 min | Choral | - |
| 14 | Prelude and Fughetta for organ in C major | 6:00 min | Keyboard | - |
| 15 | Praeludium Pastorale for organ | 3:12 min | Keyboard | - |
| 16 | On a Bass, for organ | 8:06 min | Keyboard | - |
| 17 | O clap your hands | Choral | - | |
| 18 | Nunc Dimittis in B flat | 3:16 min | Choral | - |
| 19 | Psalm 77, "Voce mea ad Dominum," for organ & choir (from St. Paul's Psalter) | 7:11 min | Choral | - |
| 20 | Psalm 97 "Dominus regnavit" (from St. Paul Psalter) | 4:20 min | Choral | - |
| 21 | Love Divine, all loves excelling | 2:45 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 22 | Sicut lilium, for chorus | 1:19 min | Choral | - |
| 23 | The Bellman's Carol | 3:14 min | Choral | - |
| 24 | The Coventry Carol | 2:02 min | Choral | - |
| 25 | There's a Friend for little children (on the tune "In Memoriam") | 2:59 min | Choral | - |
| 26 | There's a Wideness in God's Mercy, hymn | 1:51 min | Choral | - |
| 27 | When Jesus Was Born, anthem for chorus & organ (from I Desired Truth) | 5:08 min | Choral | - |
| 28 | Hail, gladdening light | 2:01 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 29 | All for Jesus | 2:13 min | Choral | - |
| 30 | Andante Pathetique, for organ | 4:22 min | Keyboard | - |
| 31 | Cold Was the Day When in a Garden Fair, song | 2:46 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 32 | Cold Was the Day When in a Garden Fair, song | 2:46 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 33 | Come, thou long-expected Jesus (Tune: Cross of Jesus) (New English Hymnal 3) | 2:13 min | Choral | - |
| 34 | Cross of Jesus, Cross of Sorrow (Cross of Jesus) | 2:10 min | Choral | - |
| 35 | Cupid look about thee | 2:52 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 36 | God So Loved the World | 3:28 min | Choral | - |
| 37 | Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost (tune Charity) (New English Hymnal, 367 2nd tune) | 1:53 min | Choral | - |
| 38 | Miserere mei, Deus, for chorus | 10:41 min | Choral | - |
| 39 | How Beautiful upon the Mountains, for organ | 2:27 min | Keyboard | - |
| 40 | I Saw the Lord, anthem for chorus & organ | 7:17 min | Choral | - |
| 41 | Impromptu for organ | 4:25 min | Keyboard | - |
| 42 | Lead, kindly light | 9:40 min | Choral | - |
| 43 | Lord Jesus, think on me | 2:15 min | Choral | - |
| 44 | Lord, thou art God, for chorus | 15:25 min | Choral | - |
| 45 | Adagio, for organ in E flat major | 3:30 min | Keyboard | - |
| 46 | Magnificat in B flat major | 6:28 min | Choral | - |
| 47 | March for organ in D major | 7:10 min | Keyboard | - |
Albums featuring John Stainer
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Parry - Elgar - Pearsall - Leslie - Stainer - Goodhart - Stanford, The Choir Of Royal Holloway, Rupert Gough – English Romantic Madrigals(CD, ) | 2016 | Hyperion |
| 2 |  |
John Stainer / Andrew Kennedy, Neal Davies, Darius Battiwalla, Huddersfield Choral Society, Joseph Cullen – The Crucifixion (1887)(CD, ) | 2009 | Signum Records |
| 3 |  |
John Stainer, The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury Conducted by Benjamin Nicholas – British Church Composer Series - 3(CD, Album, Stereo) | 2008 | Priory |
| 4 |  |
Stainer, James Gilchrist, Simon Bailey, Choir Of Clare College, Cambridge, Timothy Brown – The Crucifixion | 2005 | Naxos |
| 5 |  |
John Stainer, Peter Auty, Roderick Williams (3), Stephen Farr, Guildford Camerata, Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra, Barry Rose – The Crucifixion(CD, Album) | 2003 | Lammas Records |
| 6 |  |
John Stainer, John Henry Maunder, Choir of Guildford Cathedral, Barry Rose, David Hughes (11), John Lawrenson, Gavin Williams, John Mitchinson, Frederick Harvey, Peter Moorse – Stainer The Crucifixion - Maunder Olivet to Calvary(2×CD, Compilation, Reissue | 2002 | Classics For Pleasure |
| 7 |  |
Richard Hickox . John Stainer – The Crucifixion(CD, Stereo) | 2002 | HMV Classics |
| 8 |  |
The Daughter Of Jairus(CDr, Album) | 2002 | Not On Label |
| 9 |  |
The Crucifixion(CD, Album) | 2002 | Decca |
| 10 |  |
Stainer - Martyn Hill, Michael George (3), Margaret Phillips (2), BBC Singers, Leith Hill Festival Singers, Brian Kay – The Crucifixion(CD, Album, Stereo) | 1997 | Chandos |
| 11 |  |
John Stainer - St. Paul's Cathedral Choir, Maldwyn Davies, David Wilson-Johnson, Andrew Lucas – The Crucifixion(CD, Album, Stereo) | 1991 | Conifer |
| 12 |  |
Bairstow · Finzi · Balfour Gardiner · Hadley · Ireland · Naylor · Stainer · Stanford · Wesley · Wood - St Paul's Cathedral Choir, Andrew Lucas, John Scott (10) – The English Anthem – Volume 1(CD, ) | 1990 | Hyperion |
| 13 |  |
St. Columba's Choir, Sutton Coldfield, Anthony Evans (6), Anthony Hardy (2), Leslie Pinfield, Richard Mason (7), Stainer – The Crucifixion(LP, Album, Stereo) | 1988 | Alpha (6) |
| 14 |  |
Stainer, Robert Tear, Benjamin Luxon, Westminster Singers & Congregation – The Crucifixion. | 1986 | EMI Digital |
| 15 |  |
S.S. Wesley / Stanford / Stainer / Ousley - The Choir Of Magdalen College, Oxford Directed By John Harper (4) – The English Anthem (C. 1830 - 1900) | 1984 | Alpha (6) |
| 16 |  |
John Stainer, Johannes Haas – Die Kreuzigung : Passionsoratorium Für Tenor, Bass, Chor Und Orgel | 1980 | Verlag Schulte & Gerth |
| 17 |  |
Stainer - Peterborough Cathedral Choir conducted by Stanley Vann, James Griffett, Michael George (3), Andrew Newberry – Crucifixion | 1978 | Enigma Records (8) |
| 18 |  |
John Stainer / Magdalen College Choir Oxford, Bernard Rose (2), Ian Crabbe – Music At Magdalen: John Stainer(LP, Album) | 1975 | Argo (2) |
| 19 |  |
East Grinstead Parish Church Choir, J. Stainer – The Crucifixion(LP, Album) | 1974 | Canon Records Limited |
| 20 |  |
Crucifixion - John Stainer's Passion / Hymns Van Sir John Stainer En Tijdgenoten | 1971 | Not On Label |
| 21 |  |
John Stainer / The Pilgrim Lutheran Senior Choir Conductor Martin L. Mack – The Crucifixion(2×LP, Album) | 1970 | Not On Label (The Pilgrim Lutheran Senior Choir self-released) |
| 22 |  |
Stainer, Richard Crooks (2), Lawrence Tibbett With Trinity Choir, Mark Andrews (17) – The Crucifixion | 1969 | RCA Victrola |
| 23 |  |
Stainer With David Hughes (11), John Lawrenson, The Choir Of Guildford Cathedral Conducted By Barry Rose Organ- Gavin Williams (2) – Crucifixion | 1969 | Music For Pleasure |
| 24 |  |
Alexander McCurdy, Chorus Of The First Presbyterian Church In Philadelphia, John Stainer – The Crucifixion(LP, Album, Mono) | 1967 | WFB Productions |
| 25 |  |
Stainer, Leeds Philharmonic Choir, Alexander Young, Donald Bell, Eric Chadwick, Herbert Bardgett, O.B.E. – Stainer's Crucifixion | 1962 | His Master's Voice |
| 26 |  |
John Stainer / The Whitehall Choir Conductor Clifton Helliwell – Crucifixion(2×LP, Album) | 1962 | Concert Hall Society |
| 27 |  |
John Stainer, The Choir Of St. John's College Cambridge Directed By George Guest (2) – The Crucifixion | 1962 | Argo (2) |
| 28 |  |
John Stainer, Clarence Snyder Conducts The Oratorio Society Of New Jersey – The Crucifixion(LP) | - | Word |
| 29 |  |
Chorus of the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, George Lapham, Roy Wilde, Alexander McCurdy, John Stainer – The Crucifixion(LP, Album, Limited Edition, Mono) | - | Herald Records |
| 30 |  |
John Stainer, George Guest (2) – The Crucifixion(LP, Album) | - | London Records |
| 31 |  |
John Stainer, Clarence Snyder Conducts The Oratorio Society Of New Jersey – The Crucifixion(LP) | - | G.F.M. Records (2) |
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