Bach never came closer to writing an opera than he did with the St John Passion. The leaner cousin of the more expansive St Matthew, it responds to incisive conducting and singers with a nose for drama, both of which this new recording possesses in spades.
Raphaël Pichon tears into the meat-grinding opening chorus with its agonised cries of desperation, later whipping his singers into a frenzy as they call for the release of Barrabas and demand that Christ be crucified. Pygmalion are razor-sharp throughout, including a vigorous engagement with the reflective chorale texts.
