When it comes to melody, the uncompromising linear clarity and chamber-style flexibility enjoyed by reed instruments give them a big advantage over choirs and orchestras. Even hard-liners from the historical performance camp are swept away by the beauty and brilliance with which Calefax bring new zest to well-known and much-performed works from Bach to Berg.

Accomplished wind virtuosity is what makes the sacred sublimity of these compositions by Byrd and Pärt into genuine sound orgies in which the beauty of Kai Wessel’scountertenor voice seems to shine like a radiant, solitary light.