Despite its title, this debut disc from the 29-strong amateur Dutch vocal ensemble Cantatrix suffers from a lack of contrast. Although the repertorial net has been widely cast, much of the programme consists of slow music, which is a pity since the choral balance and tone are excellent. I would, for example, have preferred a more arresting opener than Górecki’s tedious Totus tuus. Of greater interest are the trio of pieces by Finnish composer Jaakko Mäntyjärvy (b1963). Brave the composer who attempts a setting of I was glad post-Parry! The solitary Dutch composer represented is Coen Vermeeren (b1962). His Keanskes lêste lied, set in the Frisian language, is a challenging, multi-layered piece, though spoilt by some alarming pitch changes due to clumsy editing.

Another example of sloppy production values afflicts poor Elgar, whose choral song The Shower is credited to Lauridsen. However, the performance of Go, song of mine is beautifully shaped, with expressive phrasing from the sopranos. Lauridsen’s atmospheric songs are sung in good, idiomatic French, sensitively accompanied by pianist Noriko Yabe. No intonation problems here, unlike the brace of pieces by the ubiquitous Eric Whitacre. A redeeming feature, though, are the gorgeously sonorous pedal-notes from the basses. The concluding track is Franz Biebl’s best known work, Ave Maria. Its generously open scoring and luscious harmonic palette suit this choir well. Apart from the texts and a short CV of the choir, the booklet tells us nothing about the composers or their music.