Johann Sebastian Bach - Johannes-Passion (Raphaël Pichon)

Information

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach

• Johannes-Passion, BWV 245

Julian Prégardien; Huw Montague Rendall

Ying Fang; Lucile Richardot; Laurence Kilsby

Christian Immler; Étienne Bazola

Pygmalion

Raphaël Pichon, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: harmonia mundi

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The acclaimed Pygmalion chorus takes center stage in this new recording of the St John Passion, their vivid presence and impeccable articulation shaping the work’s dramatic and emotional contours. Under Raphaël Pichon’s precise yet flexible direction, the ensemble and a distinguished cast of soloists deliver a performance marked by musical integrity and expressive depth. The recording stands out for its clarity of gesture and compelling dramatic realization, capturing both the intensity and the spiritual resonance of the Passion with remarkable precision and artistic commitment.

Born in 1984, French conductor Raphaël Pichon studied violin, piano, and voice in Paris. Initially active as a singer under Jordi Savall, Gustav Leonhardt, and Ton Koopman, he founded the ensemble Pygmalion in 2006, uniting choir and period instruments in innovative projects spanning Bach to Romantic repertoire. Pichon has conducted at major venues and festivals including the Philharmonie de Paris, BBC Proms, Aix-en-Provence Festival, and Salzburg Festival, collaborating with leading stage directors. He also created Bordeaux’s “Pulsations” festival in 2020. His acclaimed recordings with Pygmalion on harmonia mundi include works by Bach, Mozart, Monteverdi, Schubert, and Brahms.