Stravinsky loathed superimposed 'expressiveness', and always insisted his music should be executed rather than interpreted. On that basis, this latest release from the RIAS Chamber Choir of Berlin Radio comes up pretty well. The Chamber Choir's pitches are true and focused, rhythms crisp, textures clean, and in the jubilant wedding cantata-ballet Les noces that marked the culmination of Stravinsky's early Russian period there is a clear and spacious sound balance with its accompanying ensemble of four pianos and percussion.

Stravinsky's recording of Les noces is famous for its ruthlessness, yet the piece is about a folk wedding, and one feature of most weddings is joy. That, a feeling of rhythmic joy, is what makes this new performance so exhilarating. The performances are all marvellous: who would have expected to hear Carolyn Sampson singing Stravinsky? This record is not to be missed.

MusikFabrik's four pianists and six percussionists produce an electrifying sound, as do the impeccable RIAS Kammerchor, the silver-toned soprano Carolyn Sampson, and mezzo Susan Parry, whose maudlin mother-ofthe- bride is superb…Jan Kobow's Cantus Cancrizans is riveting.