Former Bishop of Oxford Patrick Rodger once wrote: "There are very few preachers better than Bach." Nowhere is that statement more true than in Bach's Passions. In this, their 40th anniversary season, the Orchestra of St John's and OSJ Voices chose the St John Passion for their Easter performance in Dorchester Abbey. Bishop Rodger might have added that no one surpasses Bach for creating a mood of prayer and supplication either, and this was the feeling that permeated down the abbey's long nave as OSJ conductor John Lubbock (a Dorchester resident) unfolded the opening chorus. His sensitivity to the words, and to the consequent dynamics, was most memorable throughout.

The actual telling of the Passion story falls to the Evangelist, and here the OSJ was well served by Benjamin Segal. Expressive but without becoming over-dramatic, Segal effortlessly negotiated the several clumsy phrases presented by an English translation which, perhaps wisely, was not credited in the programme. Providing excellent vocal contrast to the Evangelist was Byron Jackson's commanding Christ. "Have I spoken evil?" he asked. You were left in no doubt about the answer to that question. Strong, too, was Nicholas Garrett's Pilate, a man who was definitely not going to yield instantly to the wishes of the crowd.

Among the other soloists - Ruby Hughes, Catherine Hopper and Christopher Lemmings - there was some lack of projection in the abbey's demanding acoustic. But All is fulfilled, with its viola da gamba accompaniment (Emilia Benjamin), was particularly moving, as was In torrent of weeping. The OSJ Voices were responsive throughout, and especially vicious as they cried "Crucify him!"

Jonathan Tunnell's continuo cello work was beautifully judged, but elsewhere the message that the instrumental playing in Bach needs to be every bit as expressive as the singing didn't always seem to have been received. Overall, this St John Passion was certainly workmanlike, but it didn't grab me by the throat.