Bach's Passions have always been a firm part of the Easter celebrations and there can be no better place than a major English cathedral.

Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach's most famous Passion is that of St Matthew but it was the more rarely performed St John's Passion that was given an outing by the Hove-based Hanover Band.

The most surprising thing about this performance, given it was carried out in the vastness of Chichester Cathedral, was its intimacy - I felt as though it was being performed just for me.

This was largely down to the small chorus, the remarkable 16-strong English voices.

They somehow managed the difficult trick of coming across as individuals and a group. There was no dissension and they produced a wonderful sound.

The period instruments, something the Hanover Band specialises in, also added to the intimate-sounding nature of the piece which brings home the grisly story of betrayal and crucifixion.

Singers to praise include Martyn Hill's Evangelist, a tenor of resonance and authority and a particularly exciting counter-tenor in Clint van der Linde.

Conductor Nicholas Kraemer, a specialist in the Baroque repertoire, kept the whole thing going with a smoothness and dexterity which added to the colour of the performance.

My only quibble was why it had to be sung in German. An excellent English translation by Hove's own international tenor Neil Jenkins exists - it should have been used.