Hard on the heels of Charles Bruffy’s alluring Marian anthology (Chandos, 11/08) comes this even more varied, chronologically wideranging and generous concert devised by Paul McCreesh. He writes in the booklet: “My intention was to create a collection of private meditations highlighting the key events of Mary’s life. Like the Book of Hours, it would consist of works intended for metaphysical reflection: for revealing and and commenting on the ineffable.” It’s a tremendously rewarding sequence, some 13 items in all spanning no fewer than 600 years, and so cannily programmed that temporal and stylistic boundaries shift and sometimes evaporate altogether: prepare to marvel at the way Josquin’s Ave Maria, Virgo serena follows on so naturally from Sir John Tavener’s ravishing A Hymn to the Mother of God.

Tavener is one of five living figures represented, the contributions by Giles Swayne, Thomas Adès and James MacMillan adding a not unwelcome element of astringency to the mix and contrasting boldly with the transcendent diatonic radiance of Górecki’s Totus tuus. There can be nothing but praise for the breathtaking assurance and responsiveness of McCreesh’s singers throughout – although, in the giddy polyphonic splendour of Bax’s 16-part motet Mater ora filium, I do retain a marginal preference for Ralph Allwood’s inspirational realisation with his youthful Etonbased Rodolfus Choir (Herald, 9/95).

Emanating from the magically apt surroundings of Ely Cathedral’s Lady Chapel, the sound is as atmospheric and voluptuous as can be imagined, though the formidable resonance means that the words are not always ideally clear. No matter, that’s about the only grumble you’ll get from me, for this is indeed a glorious CD.