This recording is one of the most beguiling I have enjoyed in recent years. Rare, lyrical, involving music sung musically and intelligently by Chris Fitzgerald-Lombard and supported sensitively and unobtrusively by Joe Waggott makes this CD a must for any music lover. The supporting cast of singers and instrumentalists add to the colour and variety of the sound world and the generous acoustic of the wonderful Pearson church of St Alban, Highgate, Birmingham provides a suitable halo to the recorded sound which is excellent – clear, warm and present.

Waggott and Fitzgerald-Lombard state that one of the aims of the Apollo Baroque Consort (the ensemble’s name) is ‘to nurture and expose some of the vast young talent in the early music world and to give young performers opportunities to perform this music to a professional standard’. This is a laudable aim and both these young musicians from Birmingham Conservatoire demonstrate their professionalism at every turn. But, as much as anything else, the overriding and lasting impression is the love of the music and the sheer physicality of the music making which connects at every turn.

Now on my third straight through listen I expect this disc to join me on my desert island to which I would retire with pleasure in this company.