It was all bleak, and the astringent St John of the Cross-style spirituality found voice in his taut, harrowing melodies, all angular intervals and chromatically adventurous harmonies. St Martin-in-the-Fields marks 300 years of its world-famous building this year and has commissioned Death of Gesualdo: A theatrical concert with New York’s National Centre for Early Music and Music Before 1800. Barclay has cleverly selected from the Gesualdo catalogue to match key moments to the music, and uses the Tenebrae cycle as a framing device. The Gesualdo Six is an astonishing ensemble and did not tire once throughout the 75-minute performance of challenging music. This intense piece moves to the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine in New York next month (13 February), further dates to be announced.