Academy of Ancient Music – Bach: St Matthew Passion

So it’s Good Friday. Time for some perspective. I’ve seen a few ‘Passions’ and I in the main enjoyed them. So I thought I’d grab some culture and headed to the Barbican for Academy of Ancient Music’s performance of Bach’s St Matthew’s Passion.

I have to admit, I didn’t enjoy it. This is the first perfomance I’ve seen on period instruments. I’m not sure I approve. The sound was less ‘full’ than with modern instruments and at times seemed a bit ‘plinky plonky’. The old piano (or whatever it’s called) didn’t seem to carry the emotion of a modern piano. It also seemed overly long. I’ll put this one down to experience.