Inspired by Jonathan Miller's St Matthew Passion we thought of staging a performance that would help make the words come to life.
The thoughts started with No.14: a conversation between the narrator, Jesus and the two malefactors. Why not make a "stage" with three simple crosses set up in the church, with Jesus and the malefactors standing before them so we could all see the conversation taking place? Why not make a stand for Jesus' cross, so that he could carry it up the aisle during the procession to Calvery? Why not change Stainer a little so that all Jesus' words are sung just by him whatever the defined voice pitch. In the same way, all narrative, of whatever voice, would be sung from the pulpit. Fortunately our Narrator, Jon and Jesus, Ed soloists were both baritones with a wide range! Our understanding Canon Jason and PCC approved our staging thoughts with details to be decided later.
We wanted our lead singers, especially Jesus to sing as if they were speaking (no operatics!). The style was defined in this 90sec podcast
It turned out to be a "family" production. Mo was in charge and played continuo keyboard with cellist friend Linda. Colin was the main conductor and "stage manager". Colin's son Jon agreed to be the Narrator, and Jon's son Ed agreed to be Jesus. Both lived near Lichfield so there were little practice before the day. Colin's daughter Liz sang the No. 6 solo, and Margaret sang in the choir.
We gathered the choir from among 5 of the chuches in our Churn Benefice: Hagbourne, Blewbury, Upton, North Morton and Aston Tirrold. The recommended YouTube recordings, free downloadable music and free part-learning are here.
To indicate the singing style we would like to produce is a "90sec podcast"
Stainer clearly wanted the chorales to be sung by the congregation, and Colin made sure they did. All the words were
in the programme booklet
Notes on Stainer's life, and the Crucifixion are here
The main stage preparation was to prepare three rough wooden crosses. The one for Jesus would fit into an "sunshade stand", so it could be absent during the Gethsemane scene. Those for the malefactors were always in place, although one was disguised as a tree with Mayflower blossom.
A video of this number can be obtained by clicking here.
The staging directions used in the performance were as follows
Staging is only appropriate for some numbers in the work. These are detailed by section number and page number in the Novello editions. Actions are color coded:
Blue will be used for Jesus:
At the start of the performance the choir are assembled at the back of the church ready to sing their "Jesu, lord Jesu" pieces. Peter conducted these.
No 1: Page 1 "And they came to a place named Gethsemane"
As the music starts, Jesus comes in from the North aisle and stands in front of the stand for his cross.
The disciples follow Jesus and sit down in the area behind him next to the chancel. They could sit on the small steps on one of the chairs near the pulpit. They should appear sleepy!
Jesus glances round at them before singing "Sit ye here while I shall pray". He has to do this three times (p2, p4, p5) during this and the following number.
The disciples carry on looking sleepy for about 4 minutes as the choir sing "Jesu, lord Jesu". On the cue of faster music "and they laid their hands on him" the disciples can return to the North aisle. Their job is over!
No 2: Page 2-8 "Could ye not watch with me"
Jesus is standing in front of his cross position. On the cue of faster music "and they laid their hands on him" he looks round and sees the soldiers coming in.
The two soldiers come in from the North aisle carrying their spears and pull Jesus to the High Priest.
At the same time the High Priest comes in and stands just back and sideways north from Jesus.
Que when the narrator says "And the high priest asked Him and said unto Him": The high priest sings "Art Thou the Christ....",
At the narrator cue: "Jesus said" he sings: "I am..." The dialoge between the narrator, high priest and Jesus continues.
On the que: "... they carried him away": The high priest walks off to the North aisle' His job is done
The two soldiers drag Jesus to the north aisle.
Jesus has plenty of time to walk slowly down the North aisle, and pick up his cross.
The stage manager removes the vase of greenery and
Jesus has plenty of time to walk slowly down the North aisle, and pick up his cross.
No 3: Page 9-21 "Processional to Calvery", "Fling wide the gates"
This is a big moment for our brilliant organist Charles. He has to play 3 minutes of music refecting the walk of Jesus to the cross at Calvery.
The choir arrange themselves in "crowd formation at the back of the church.
Que: Organ starts to play No.3: the processional music
Jesus picks up his cross and carries it slowly (3"/second) up the central aisle.
A video of Jesus carrying the cross can be obtained by clicking here.
When Jesus reaches his cross stand, the stage manager takes it from him and puts it on the stand
The choir arrange themselves in front of the chancel in "crowd" formation grouping in the oder "Tenor", "Alto", "Soprano","Bass".
Jesus stands in front of his cross
The two malefactors stand in front of their crosses
Now is the time for the big sing "Fling Wide the Gates"
A fragment of the Fling Wide can be obtained by clicking here.
During the Fling Wide the solo "How sweet is the grace" was sung my Margaret T.
No 4: Page 22 "And when they were come"
The choir have finished singing "Fling wide the gates"arranged themselves at the back of the church. Que: "Suffer and die": the choir wait 5 seconds then slowly and quietly move into the chancel space. Do not enter the stalls until the playover of the next hymn "Cross of Jesus"
A video of this number was shown earlier and can be seen again here.
Colin conducted the hymns which were lustily sang by the congregation.
Jesus and the malefactors stand still in front of their crosses, until the number is finished, then move back to join in the hymn.
No 6: Page 24 "He made himself of no reputation"
"Flash Mob" singing is on social media. Wikipedia defines it as "A group of people that assembles suddenly in a public place and performs for a short time.
Our singer, daughter Liz remains standing towards the back of the church as everyone else sits down. The organ plays the introduction: the top of the last chord gives her note. She then sings No.6 and sits down.
Although the organ was used for much of the time, a continuo group of Mo and Linda accompanied many of the recitative solos. This worked very well giving an intimacy to the crucifixion story.
No 8: Page 29 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent"
This was not done in the performance. There was a feeling in the choir that it might induce laughter!
The stage manager had prepared a serpent on a stick.
"Moses", a man from the choir comes round to the north aisle and brings in tbe "serpent".
Jesus comes in and stands in front of his cross.
Cue:"And as Moses", he lifts his cross high for a while.
Cue: "Even so must the son of man be lifted up": Jesus lifts his hands high for a few seconds
At the end of No 8, Jesus and Moses return to the choir
No 9: Page 30-33 "God so loved the world"
This was sung unaccompanied by the choir in the chancel conduced by Peter.
No 11: Page 35 "Father forgive them"
Jesus comes to his cross. He glances briefly at the choir before singing No 11.
A video can be watched by clicking here.
No 12: Page 35-38 "So Thou liftest"
Leslie and Ellie sang the beautifully from in front of the pulpit.
No 14: Page 40-41 "And one of the malefactors"
After the "Jesus is crucified" hymn, Jesus and the two malefactors Bill and Julian came out and stood in front of their crosses. The narrator was in the pulpit.
Then follow the exchange between narrator, the first malefactor, then the second malefactor and then Jesus.
During the exchanges the singers were asked to try and direct their words to the correct recipient.
No 16: Page 43-44 "When Jesus saw this mother"
After the "I adore Thee" hymn, Jesus comes out and stands in front of his cross. A "disciple" and a "mother" follow him out of the choir and stand either side of Jesus, mother to the congregatons's right, disciple to the left. The narrator is in the pulpit.
The narrator describes how CUE: "He said unto his mother" Jesus looks round at the mother, then turns to the disciple and says "Woman behold thy son". CUE: "Then saith he to the disciple" Jesus looks at the disciple, then turns around and says: "Behold thy mother."
No 17: Page 45 "Is it nothing to you"
Jesus remains in front of his cross. He looks round at the choir.
Quite slowly the whole choir come out of the positions in the stalls and walk towards their "crowd" singing positions. They can pretend to talk to eachother but should ignore Jesus.
When they are mostly out, Jesus look at the congregation and sings the aria "Is it nothing to you"
A short video can be watched by clicking here.
QUE: "Jesus sings "I thirst". Someone brings a sponge to him.
At the end Jason said kind words and gave thanks.
Mo presented some gifts to our Narrator Jon, and Jesus Ed, who did so well and to organist Charles who followed the beat so closely"
Delightfully for Easter the crosses were set up outside the church.
Contacts:
No 19: Page 56-57 "After this" This was not done in the performance.
Jesus is standing in front of his cross.
Mo Windsor 01235 812093
Colin Windsor 07780361700 or colin.windsor1938@gmail.com