To my ear, the highlight of Cantica Symphonia’s previous CD (10/08) was the one track they delivered a cappella, which made me wish to hear more of them that way. With this new issue that wish is granted. The Marian theme of this recital takes in a number of early Renaissance masters, and it’s refreshing that the usual suspects are largely bypassed in favour of great composers who are less frequently recorded.

For the most part, these performances make good the promise of that single track. The vocal quartet’s tone is gentle and not overly assertive, and perhaps more effective in faster-moving pieces than in penitential ones: a slower tempo exposes a rather soft centre to the overall sound, and a complete recital does expose individual voices to closer scrutiny. But at its best the results are very satisfying. Isaac’s setting of the popular Alma redemptoris chant is glowingly done, and incidentally captures the outgoing euphony that makes him such an attractive composer. Mouton also shines, his neglect on disc indeed hard to understand. But individual selections are perhaps more compelling than the overall project, however: one or two more pieces of the quality and breadth of the Isaac setting just referred to might have anchored the recital more securely – a lacuna that the two contemporary pieces included in the programme don’t quite manage to fill.