Since 1727, JS Bach's 'Great Passion' has gripped the hearts and uplifted the spirits of audiences all over the globe. Its mix of urgent story-telling, meditative arias and mighty choruses projects the emotional force and humanity of St Matthew's account of Christ's betrayal, trial and execution. To tell this compelling story, Bach created some of the most moving music ever written – including the stunning aria "Erbarme dich" (Have mercy) and the magnificent final chorus "Wir setzen uns" (We sit, weeping).

This new recording from the Academy of Ancient Music (AAM) presents the St Matthew Passion as it was originally heard, in the very first 1727 version – a version that is, in the words of Richard Egarr, "less decorated, purer and stronger in gesture." There are also changes in instrumentation from the more frequently performed later version, creating new musical colours and moods: in the bass aria "Komm, sü?es Kruz" (Come, sweet cross), to give just one example, the singer is accompanied by the lute rather than the viola da gamba, lending a gentle, caressing and mellow lilt to this famous aria.

Over the past 40 years, the AAM has made over 300 recordings of Baroque and Classical music, winning Brit and Gramophone Awards along the way. This is their first-ever recording of the St Matthew Passion. With a superlative cast including James Gilchrist, Sarah Connolly, Thomas Hobbs, Elizabeth Watts, Christopher Maltman and Matthew Rose, and directed by Richard Egarr, this is a landmark project.