Ars Nova has been one of the most interesting choral groups around for many years, working in the field of both early and contemporary music.  Paul Hillier, who is an obvious collaborator for a group with such an approach, has been the choir’s conductor since 2002. This recording is the first in a projected series, and if subsequent issues are up to this standard, there is much to look forward to.  This is a strong and vital performance of the Taverner Western Wind Mass; it is driven, flowing and vigorous, and the thread is never dropped.  Sensibly, the sections of the Mass are interspersed with other works, Passion carols by Cornysh, Sheryngham, Browne and Anonymous (all from the Fayrfax Manuscript), prefaced with Taverner’s own Kyrie Leroy and complemented at the end with Tye’s In pace.

The Kyrie Leroy receives an absolutely glowingly beautiful performance, and is notable for alternating the polyphony with the “square” sung monodically. The carols are also excellently rendered, and Hillier is not afraid to employ the full choir, which gives them another dimension, bringing them close to the Latin repertoire of the Eton Choirbook. The tremendously powerful performances of Cornysh’s Woefully arrayed, and Browne’s Jesu, mercy are easily the best on record, and probably the most impressive I have ever heard.  The recording was made in St Paul’s Church, Copenhagen, the clear but not over-resonant acoustics of which are beautifully captured by engineer Preben Iwan. IVAN MOODY