Jongen's Mass is a deeply impressive work. Moments of magisterial grandeur, captivating tints of impressionistic colour, masterly handling of the instrumental resources and beautifully paced choral writing elevate it to one of the best Mass settings from the mid-20th century (it was first performed in 1946 and reflects Jongen's joy on learning that a friend captured by the Gestapo had survived the war).

This recording is welcome, not only because it brings into the catalogue such a significant work but also because Philip Scriven drives his choral forces to produce some impassioned and, at times (not least in Franck's Panis angelicus), really lovely singing. On top of that, the Fine Arts Brass Ensemble play with fire and verve, adding greatly to the magnificence of the work's climaxes, and Alexander Mason knows the Lichfield Cathedral organ intimately enough to handle Jongen's quasi-orchestral writing with complete assurance. The addition of the three quiet fillers (the Franck and two inoffensive organ solos) offers a nice touch of repose, although purists may find Scriven's reading of Flor Peeters's Aria questionable.

The sum of the parts, however, is mildly disappointing. The fault lies fairly and squarely with Lichfield Cathedral itself. Acoustically it offers little tangible support and while Peeters's somewhat spartan Mass is not seriously disadvantaged by such a lifeless environment, Jongen's cries out for that halo of resonance which would blunt the occasional rough edges (both in the performance and the writing itself) and add a touch of opulence to the proceedings. Nevertheless Regent's Gary Cole has done what he can to soften the sound and, until a recording comes along setting the work in a more sympathetic acoustic, Lichfield Cathedral and its musicians can be proud to have produced this invaluable recording