Stations of the Cross is a sequence of fourteen movements for organ, arranged in two books, each of which contains seven movements. It was commissioned by Cambridge Summer Recitals and Dartington International Summer School. Book I was composed in autumn 2004; Book II in early 2005. The complete sequence was first performed on 27^th July 2005 in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge by David Titterington, who also performed it in St. Andrew’s Church, Plymouth on 8^th August, and at Westminster Cathedral, London on 15^th September. Like my setting of the Stabat Mater (to which it is closely related), Stations of the Cross uses a series of eight-note modes as its melodic and harmonic material. Two different modes are used in each movement: the first for an introductory section, the second for the main body of the movement. Both modes in each movement are based on the same keynote; these keynotes move gradually upwards, rising by a semitone each time. This increases the sense of harmonic change, and symbolises Jesus’ journey up to Calvary.

The sequence is designed to be performed in its entirety; but movements may of course be played individually. Moreover, either of the Books may be performed as a discrete entity – the seventh movement of each acts as a finale. When the complete sequence is performed, it may be thought desirable (because of its length and intensity) to provide choral interludes between the pieces. I have arranged the first fourteen stanzas of the plainchant setting of the plainchant Stabat Mater (traditionally associated with devotional use of the Stations of the Cross) in a sequence of tropes for two-part voices which shadow the upward rise of the organ movements, linking them. This is available from www.gilesswayne.com.

Giles Swayne
June 2005