Although Naxos produces CDs of generally high performance standards, it's doubtless fair to say that most listeners approach the label for reasons of economy. The new St. John Passion is certainly economical, and it has a great deal to offer. If you collect recordings of this work, you should certainly have this one, but it would not be the best choice if you only want one.

Much depends on whether the idea and sound of an all-male choir appeals to you. The only other readily available recording using men and boys is Benjamin Britten's wonderful English-language version from a generation ago. (A presently available reissue of the Britten on Decca is also budget-priced.) In the present version, one could certainly lodge a few complaints against Higginbottom's Choir of New College Oxford. The sopranos are sometimes a little sharp, for example. While the altos are present enough to maintain the harmonies, they are hard to hear. The tenors and basses are pretty good.

While all this adds up to a choral sound that can jar a bit on first hearing, the texture seems more apt once you get used to it. There is a raw, aggressive quality here that can be very effective, in the crowd scenes of course, but also in the more reflective items, the chorales and such. It is a very different sound from refined and supremely focussed the singers of Suzuki's Bach Collegium Japan produce (on BIS), for example, but one shouldn't be too quick to write it off. Among its other virtues, the New College choir has a good handle on the subtle dynamics required for the St. John Passion.

The soloists are a mixed lot. Once again, the lower voices, particularly Gilchrist as the evangelist and Bernays as Christ are strong. Countertenor James Bowman is rather uneven, though, and soprano Joe Littlewood is totally inadequate. Without a doubt, his performance is a significant achievement for a boy of eleven or twelve, but it still doesn't approach the general performance level of this performance.

In other respects the recording is commendable. The instrumental playing is excellent and Higginbottom displays an intimate understanding of this great work.

Recommended, then, to listeners who want to have a comprehensive collection of St. John Passions or who are especially fond of all-male choirs. Others seeking a budget version would do better with the Rotzsch or Britten versions, though both use modern instruments and neither can match the Naxos sound quality. For those willing to invest in a full-price one at about $40, the Gardiner, Suzuki and Koopman recordings, all on authentic instruments, can be warmly recommended.

One further note: On 4 April Bernard Labadie will bring his Violons du Roy and Chappelle Royale to Ottawa to perform the Saint John Passion. Those in the know will want to be there.