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God So Loved the World (Stainer)

John Stainer

Score

Read it and listen to it right here. It can't be downloaded — to sing it with your choir, use it in Cantico.

History

God So Loved the World (Stainer)

John Stainer (1840–1901), organist of St Paul's Cathedral in London, composed the oratorio “The Crucifixion” in 1887, which includes this chorus (“God so loved the world”), on the words of John 3:16.

About the piece

A page of communion and gratitude on the verse “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son”. The edition, 78 measures in 3/4, carries soprano, alto, tenor and bass.

How to prepare it

It is an intermediate piece. The voices move in wide ranges (sopranos D4–G5 (an eleventh), altos A3–C5 (a minor tenth), tenors F3–G4 (a major ninth) and basses F♯2–D4 (a minor thirteenth)), and it asks for a warm, legato sound, without harshness. Rehearse by phrases and aim for the growth to the climax to be gradual: save the loudest volume for the end, and make the last “amen” soft.

When to use it

Very suitable for Lent and as a communion chant.