Bach’s St John Passion, Three Choirs Festival, Gloucester Cathedral, Thursday 27 July, 2023.

4****: David Gray & Paul Gray

Bach’s St John Passion is a very different animal to his more often performed St Matthew version of the story. Shorter for one thing and with less focus on arias, the work concentrates more on the narrative itself, told through the medium of recitative. Instead of arias, a spiritual response to the events as they unfold is expressed more fully through chorales.

This shift of emphasis means that the Evangelist is given even greater importance. Fortunately, in James Gilchrist, this performance boasted a singer in this role of impeccable pedigree. His was an intensely dramatic reading, almost operatic, highly detailed, well coloured and tellingly physicalised. His commanding voice effortlessly projected out into the Cathedral.

Gareth Brynmor John, as Jesus, brought strength, gravitas and warmth to the role. These two excellent performers drove the narrative forward with commitment, and the choral interjections, under the precise and attentive baton of conductor Geraint Bowen, had an immediacy and vividness that helped build a sense of momentum.

Focusing as is does more on the drama, the work gives a glimpse into the psychology of the more peripheral characters. Although it is not explored in great depth, we get a feel for the emotional and spiritual conflict felt by Pilate, for example. Matthew Brook made the most of this sketchily drawn character and brought it to life with humanity and insight.

There were some balance issues. The Corelli Orchestra played with elegance but were often swamped by the impressively powerful singing of the Three Cathedral Choirs.

There were also audibility problems for some of the soloists. Mezzo Ciara Hendrick, tenor Anthony Gregor, and bass-baritone Matthew Brook all sang with clarity and beauty of tone during the more lyrical moments, but their passage work had a tendency to get lost. This may have been an acoustic issue. However, soprano Rebecca Hardwick took a dramatic coloratura approach and used a strong sense of line to project her more florid passages, which came across very clearly indeed.

Bach’s chorale settings appear simple but are, in reality, deceptively difficult to carry off well. They are exposed and require attention to detail, unanimity, and precision. The Three Cathedral Choirs delivered all of the forgoing in abundance to deliver a thoughtful commentary on the story.

The final chorus and chorale were deeply heartfelt, and brought what had been a vivid and committed telling of the Passion to a profoundly moving conclusion.

James Gilchrist – Evangelist

Gareth Brynmor John – Christus

Rebecca Hardwick – Soprano

Ciara Hendrick – Mezz-soprano

Anthony Gregory – Tenor

Matthew Brook – Bass-baritone

Three Cathedral Choirs

Corelli Orchestra

Geraint Bowen - Conductor