The two works heard on this recording, examples of Jan Dismas Zelenka’s connection with the Princess Elector of Saxony and Queen of Poland Maria Josepha, offer a view into the development of church music at the Dresden court.

Despite its title, the 1733 Missa Purificationis Beatae Virginis Mariae, does not commemorate the Feast of the Purification, but rather celebrates the Princess Elector’s first visit to church after the birth of her son. The Mass is tightly constructed and concise, but not without grandeur. The lavish orchestration of four trumpets, oboes, flutes, strings and timpani adds to the sense of occasion. Zelenka put a lot of variety in the setting with everything from tight stile antico counterpoint to wonderfully melodic solo arias and duets. There are many memorable moments such as the lovely duet for two sopranos in “Christe” and the brilliant double fugue (“Dona nobis pacem”) that concludes the work.

The Litanie Lauretanae Consolatrix Afflictorum honoring the Virgin Mary is a late work dedicated to Maria Josepha and moves the listener with its spare orchestration – oboes and strings – and fetching vocal writing. “Sancta Maria” first sung by unison choir and then by solo voices in quick succession (who sing the various titles for the Virgin Mary) is the emotional and musical core of the work.

Ensemble Inégal is a very fine group indeed. The soloists, especially sopranos Gabriela Eibenová and Hana Bla?íková, sing beautifully and the choral forces bring power and clarity to every passage. The instrumentalists are also very good and conductor Adam Viktora leads a stylish and compelling performance. CRAIG ZEICHNER