1965 Performance of the Crucifixion

Recently we found a 33 1/3 rpm record album of a May 13, 1965 performance of The Crucifiion by our choir.  To listen to it click on Side 1 and then Side 2!

Special thanks to Ed Mathey of Trinity Church, Newtown and our own Eric Sampson for making a copy for playback on our website.

Pictured left is the Rev. Thomas Chappell, our rector in 1965.

 

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Senior Choir

 

Brookfield Center, Conn

 

Presents

 

The Crucifixion

 

 

 

May 13, 1965

 

By Sir John Stainer

 

John S. Edwards, Organist & Choir Director

 

Mr. Henry Becker, Tenor

 

Mr. Joseph Fennell, Bass

 

Dr. Paul Kunkel, Bass

 

The Rev. Thomas H. Chappell, Rector

 

Sir John Stainer (6 June 1840 – 31 March 1901) was an English composer and organist whose music, though not generally much performed today (with the exception of The Crucifixion, still heard at Eastertide in many Protestant churches of the former British Empire), was very popular during his lifetime.  His work as choir trainer and organist set standards for Anglican church music which are still influential.  He was also active as an academic, becoming professor of music at Oxford University in 1889.  According to Peter Charlton's Stainer biography, Sir Arthur Sullivan's tribute to Stainer was blunt and memorable: "He is a genius". (see Wikipedia)

 

A truly scarce album of this performance.