Earlier this year, musicologist Michael Maul discovered the enchanting aria Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn’ ihn, written by Bach while court organist in Weimar. As luck would have it Alles mit Gott had remained undisturbed in the library for nearly 300 years; even greater luck was that it was removed by a restorer before a fire in 2004.

There can be no doubt that this hybrid of strophic and da capo aria can claim a Bach catalogue number without committee approval: just listen to the inimitably Bachian melodic development and curvature of both the continuo line and the sung stanza. It conveys a kind of pastoral elegance which wears its learning lightly. Yet it is the subtly inflected and finely wrought instrumental ritornello that gives the work its shape and strength of design.

Elin Manahan Thomas gives an intimate and clear-headed performance with just a slight sense of being ‘on parade’ for the first outing. Gardiner’s speed is relaxed and probably slower than if he had decided to include all 12 stanzas rather than the three presented here. The remainder of the disc is not merely a taster of future Cantata Pilgrimage releases but a thoughtfully conceived exposé of contrasting movements. But for now, recommendation for a reading which celebrates this notable event with genial beauty.