IT isn't very long since Bach was last performed at the Cathedral.

Only on Saturday, March 19, of this year was Bach's St Mathew Passion given a rendering under the direction of Donald Hunt by the Elgar Chorale and the ESO.

This time it was the turn of the City of Birmingham Choir and Orchestra of the Swan, with Adrian Lucas conducting, to treat Saturday night’s audience to an account of Bach's Mass in B minor.

The polyphonic vocal part writing that takes place in this work was brilliantly handled by the choir and it was very possible to make out the Latin words such as Dominus Deus Sabaoth (Lord God of hosts) and Osanna in excelsis (Glory be to Thee, O Lord most high) in the chorus.

It is far from being my favourite sacred choral work, but there were plenty of riveting episodes. Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te (We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee) had special treatment from soprano soloist Katherine Fuge. The other soloists Julie Cooper, Susanna Spicer, Simon Wall and Daniel Jordan were able to provide an indelible contribution as well.

A sense of triumph came across with trumpets and timpani and there was alluring tone colour in the strings and woodwind sound. The most riveting episode, I thought, was the Dona nobis pacem (Grant us peace) with the chorus giving its contribution which still could be heard in my mind after the concert as I was on my way home.