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.
Of course, the St John Passion is not an opera, relying on the Evangelist to narrate the bulk of the story. Pichon is fortunate in German tenor Julien Prégardien. Experience shows, the voice rising to an outraged shriek as he declares Barrabas a murderer, achingly florid recalling Peter’s bitter tears.
Huw Montague Rendall brings tonal richness and unswerving gravitas to the role of Jesus, while Christian Immler’s agitated Pilate swings back and forth like a tormented weathervane. In a fine lineup of soloists, Ying Fang’s purity contrasts nicely with the otherworldliness of Lucile Richardot, rounding off one of the most theatrical St Johns in the catalogue.
