Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

To celebrate their 25th anniversary those music lovers at Chandos Records have made available 25 of their most interesting releases as generous mid-price reissues - but only for a limited time. This Bach collection, first issued in 1999, is well worth investigating. Indeed it may come as a surprise that such a thing as a Lutheran Mass ever existed but here we have two examples: the Mass in A (BWV234) was composed around 1738 and designed for use at Christmas; the Mass in G (BWV235) came a little later. Those who need to know more should refer to the excellent notes by Stephen Daw. What of the music? It takes just a few bars to know that we are listening to Bach, so distinctive is his voice. And in the same few bars we recognise that he is being honoured with a fine performance. The four vocal parts are all splendidly sung by Susan Gritton (soprano), Robin Blaze (countertenor), Mark Padmore (tenor) and Peter Harvey (bass). The Purcell Quartet, playing on period instruments, is also on top form. The whole is a joy throughout.

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