The Netherlands Bach Society have redefinedthe possibilities of Bach performanceand recording with their string of acclaimedChannel Classics releases in recent times.They conclude with the big ’un, St MatthewPassion, and it is an absolute beauty! The recordingwas made in collaboration with theCatharijne Convent Museum of Utrecht,and the truly lavish packaging contains aglorious written and visual accompanimentto this immortal music, drawing on theunmatched archives of the Museum, whichpossesses the largest collection of liturgicalart in the Netherlands. The young soloistsall shine brightly, and this stunninglydesigned 3 CD set is presented at less thanthe price of two CDs.

Richard Mohr is a guest reviewer