John Stainer made it his life’s work to reform and renew the standards of music in schools, parish churches, colleges and cathedrals up and down the land. His two most lasting legacies are our thriving cathedral choral tradition and this piece – The Crucifixion.

The Royal Academy of Music Bicentenary Series sees tenor Liam Bonthrone make his recording debut. Soirée parisienne takes us on a journey into the fascinating world of Parisian salons, which were the epicentre of the cultural scene in nineteenth-century France. These social gatherings provided a platform for new and established composers to showcase their works to a discerning audience and introduce new musical styles and trends. Accompanied by pianist Benjamin Mead, Liam Bonthrone highlights the contributions of three of the most influential salonnières of their time: Pauline Viardot, Comtesse Élisabeth Greffulhe and Winnaretta Singer, Princesse de Polignac. Liam Bonthrone is one of the exceptional artists, including Xiaowen Shang (piano), Cassandra Wright (soprano) and Anna Im (violin), who are the recent recipients of the Academy’s Bicentenary Scholarships scheme.