Addressing such deep human emotions, Bach’s passions have long assumed a universality that transcends their origins as Lutheran service music. In an ever-burgeoning discography of the St Matthew Passion, the latest contribution comes from the French group Pygmalion directed by Raphaël Pichon, who sees the work structured in six principal “actions,” similar to a French tragédie lyrique, with its prologue and five acts. 

Whether or not one finds that analogy helpful, Pichon undoubtedly directs a thoughtful account of the score, aided in no small part by Julian Prégardien, whose engaging Evangelist reveals a naturally gifted storyteller, not unlike his famous father. Stéphane Degout as Jesus presents a touching combination of strength and vulnerability.

Amongst the other soloists Lucile Richardot stands out for a gorgeously shaped Ebarme dich subtly enhanced by the theorbo in the continuo group, while tenor Reinoud Van Mechelen invests O Schmerz with the urgency of deepening tragedy and Christian Immler’s Gebt mir meinem Jesum wieder takes no prisoners. 

Pygmalion’s instrumentalists...