No one could accuse Richard Egarr of skimping in this new John Passion...It's not just the pedigree of the solo line-up that oozes luxury...Egarr whips up venomous indignation for the crowd's joustings with Pilate. Sarah Connolly's 'Es ist vollbracht' is searing...And Elizabeth Watts's 'Zerfliesse, mein Herze' is almost unbearably poignant.

The pleasures of Egarr’s reading lie not so much in his use of the original 1724 score (less elaborate than Bach’s better-known revisions), and more in his line-up of top-rank English soloists. James Gilchrist is the persuasive Evangelist, Matthew Rose an expressive Jesus and Ashley Riches an effective Pilate.

this is a St John with a distinct character of its own, and whether or not that will appeal is up to the listener. Those who prefer choral singing with sharp-etched attack and refined blend may be disappointed by what they find here...but Egarr is good at using his 16-voice chorus to release the music's natural line and warmth. That and its humanity.

Gilchrist [is] a highly articulate Evangelist...Matthew Rose a distinctly human Jesus and Ashley Riches a suitably assertive Pilate...There is some gorgeous solo playing...Musically, then, this is a splendid performance which leaves the listener exhausted...The key word is contemplation, and that is the one thing missing.

Gilchrist as the Evangelist is an incisive and emotional storyteller, capitalising on the drama of the Easter story...If you want a scaled-down, intimate version of this work – the absence of a big choral sound will not suit all tastes – this is recommended.