So the Bach Festival is finished and what better final act could there be than this, arguably Bach's greatest work – indeed some would claim, the greatest work ever written? And, as the final Dona nobis pacem died away, there was a brief poignant silence before the audience rose to applaud a quite exceptional performance. From the opening Kyrie, it was clear that this might be special. The balance was exactly right, the tempi broad and confident, the blend of instruments and voices established from the start and maintained throughout The Bach Steinitz Players brought a wealth of experience and virtuosity to this music and each section made its own special contribution, strings and continuo, woodwind and brass, including a remarkable natural horn with the bass solo Quoniam. The playing was majestic in its quality and inherent sympathy with the changing moods of the music.

The choir had clearly decided to give it their all, nothing held back, and they produced some of the finest singing I've heard from them over many years.

The measured fugual opening Kyrie, the exultant joyful Cum sancto spiritu, the mystery of the Et incarnatus, the plangent Crucifixus, followed by the explosion of the Et Resurrexit then the splendidly vibrant bass octaves in the Sanctus and the infinitely comforting Dona nobis pacem the singing full of meaning and rich warm sound. It was intensely moving and its integrity came from total commitment.

The soloists played their part admirably. Soprano Nicky Kennedy, replacing the indisposed Catherine Bott, clear and expansive. Counter-tenor Robin Blaze was exquisite in the final Agnus Dei with lush string accompaniment. Julian Podger's expressive dramatic tenor gave us a beautiful Benedictus with flowing flute obbligato and Henry Waddington, replacing Matthew Rose, a well-rounded firm bass.

They each made their impressive individual contribution to a memorable music occasion, though inevitably, with a touch of melancholy at the end of an era. Afterwards there were suitable speeches as conductor Elizabeth Bates brought down the curtain on a remarkable thirty years of musical excellence. Chantry Singers contribution has been distinctive and quite singular. They will be sadly missed.

Peter Lloyd Williams