J.S. BACH - LA PASSION SELON SAINT-JEAN

Released by the French label REM in the late 1970s, this recording of J.S. Bach's St. John Passion (La Passion selon Saint-Jean) represents an earnest contribution to the era's mid-market classical discography. REM was known for focusing on regional French talent and smaller-scale choral productions, aiming to provide accessible, dedicated interpretations of baroque repertoire that existed outside the orbit of the major international labels.

The ensemble, consisting of Charles Montaland, Gilles Kopf, and other local soloists, adopted a traditional, liturgical approach to the work. The design is characteristic of late-20th-century European classical pressings, prioritizing clear, utilitarian aesthetic choices and liner notes that centered on the historical and religious significance of the composition rather than the commercial allure of the performers.