Lectionary Readings

During the 1990s, I created a version of the Gospel of St John which I performed at various venues in the UK, and this was recorded as a CD in 2000. As a reading of the entire Gospel would take over three hours, I adapted the text to make a comfortable performance time - 1 hour 47 minutes, with an interval break (after Track 10 in the digital recording) - while maintaining the continuity of the story. A selection of musical extracts act as a counterpoint to the words.

I chose to read St John because I think it is the most poetic of of all the Gospels, containing many familiar passages and stories, and with several fine dramatic moments. I chose the Jerusalem Bible text, partly because it was being widely used, but also because its contemporary tone and intelligibility make it especially suitable for a dramatic reading.

Music extracts from: Handel Coronation Anthems. Philips 412 733-2.
Academy and Chorus of St Martin-In-The-Fields. Extracts used by kind permission of Universal Music.
Monteverdi Vespro della beata Vergine. EMI CDS 7 47078 8.
Taverner Consort, Choir, and Players appear by courtesy of EMI Classics.
Allegri Renaissance Masterpieces. Pickwick PCD 806.
Pro Cantione Antiqua. Extracts used by courtesy of Pro Cantione Antiqua.
Fauré Requiem. Naxos 8.550765.
Schola Cantorum of Oxford, and Oxford Camerata. Extracts courtesy of Naxos Music UK Ltd.
Gorecki Ikos, EMI CDC 5 55096 2.
Choir of Kings College Cambridge appears by courtesy of EMI Classics.
Tavener Innocence. Sony SK 66613.
English Chamber Orchestra and Westminster Abbey Choir. Extracts reproduced by kind permission of Sony Classical.
Byrd Mass for Four Voices. EMI CD-EMX 9505.
Choir of St John’s College Cambridge appears by courtesy of EMI Classics.
Pergolesi Stabat Mater. Deutsche Grammophon 415 103-2.
London Symphony Orchestra. Extract used by kind permission of Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft mbH, Hamburg.

Acknowledgements
David Crystal is gratetul to all those involved with his performances of The St John Gospel, and with the production of this CD
Performance lighting and sound direction: Jan Thomas, Mike Gould
Cross: devised by Ben Crystal, built by Les Shepherd
Special thanks to Ben Crystal and Hilary Crystal for help with direction,
Tony McNicholl for technical assistance, and J C Davies for cover photography.

All rights of the producer and of the owner of the works reproduced reserved; unauthorised copying, hiring, lending, public performance and broadcasting of this record prohibited.

Disc 1