Stainer’s “The Crucifixion” and Palestrina’s “Stabat Mater”

Luigi Cherubini’s Requiem in C Minor

As the Covid pandemic hit, the South London Choral Society were preparing a seasonal concert based on music by Stainer, Palestrina and many others.

A performance of Stainer’s “The Crucifixion” was at the heart of the the program, a widely-known oratorio that was written in the late 19th century. Written with parish choirs in mind, Its stirring anthems are offset by moments of genuine beauty, explaining why it is till performed so widely today.

The concert was also to include a performance of "Sabat Mater" by Italian Renaissance composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. It is a motet for an unaccompanied choir, and consists of twenty sections that correspond with the twenty verses of the original text. It is believed to have been composed for Pope Gregory XIV, at some point in the later 16th century.

In addition we were preparing a series of passiontide motets by composers that include Anerio, Casals, Everett, Michael Haydn and Victoria.

Alas, the national lockdown was called less than two weeks before the performance and we were forced to cancel. Nevertheless, we have continued to meet throughout the pandemic - albeit remotely - and look forwards to being able to return to active singing once it is safe to do so.