When commissioned (in 1996) to write a Passion for the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart, Gubaidulina’s original plan was for a single large work covering both the Passion and Resurrection using St John’s Gospel, with an emphasis on the relationship of Christ to God the Father. However, the task proved more daunting than she imagined and she elected to create two oratorios. The St John Passion was written during 1999-2000 and premiered in Stuttgart, conducted by Gergiev, before the year was out; the St John Easter followed in 2000-01, the diptych being presented, again led by Gergiev, in Hamburg in 2002.

Gubaidulina set the texts in her native Russian but Helmuth Rilling suggested that she should prepare German language versions of both works, which are the ones presented here, complete with musical revisions made by the composer ahead of the premiere in Dresden in February 2007. Taken collectively, it is without doubt a work of great sincerity and devotion, with some impressive sections: the opening setting, for example, of “In the beginning was the Word”, the visions of judgement at each oratorio’s climaxes or the radiance of St John Easter’s finale. However, in between the music is often bleak with long, recitative-like passages in which the bass and baritone soloists dominate. Compared to Penderecki’s St Luke Passion, Gubaidulina’s lacks drama, involvement and – dare one say it – passion.

Devotees of Gubaidulina will no doubt need no recommendation from me to acquaint themselves with this work; as a neutral, I did not warm to it. The performance is beautifully prepared, as one would expect, with excellent sound, and the text is presented in German and English.