St John Passion

St John Passion
Tölzer Knabenchor, Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal, Under the patronage of Aline Foriel-Destezet, Gaétan Jarry Conductor
CVS152

I often wonder who the audience is for concerts on DVD, especially when much of this footage has been available for months YouTube. Nevertheless, I'm extremely grateful that this has been released - and with such an interesting booklet essay by Éric Lebrun - as it preserves an engagingly emotional performance at a time when children's music education and performance opportunities are dwindling in many areas. Such is the power of this performance that I'm tempted to suggest that this St. John Passion (BWV 245) offers a unique addition to the modern Bach discography. Directed by Gaétan Jarry and featuring the Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal and the Tölzer Knabenchor, it was filmed in the visually and acoustically stunning Chapelle Royale du Château de Versailles during April 2024 and I would say it is best described as concert of profound spiritual intensity characterised by the committed performances of the Tölz trebles and a commanding cast of soloists. [...]

...but it is Evangelist Linard Vrielink who provides the narrative intensity, reflecting every word of the Gospel, necessary to bind an overall extrovert and vital performance like this. I do hope this release will bring him to more prominence. Nicolas Brooymans channels dignity and a wonderful rich tone into his role as Jesus, but his standout moment in is the arioso Betrachte, meine Seel to the delicate accompaniment of two violas d'amore and a lute, here Jarry creates a moment of true spiritual ecstasy that stands in sharp contrast to the feverish intensity of the preceding flagellation scene.

To read the full text of this review please visit Gramophone.co.uk (April 2026)