the choral sound is lean and alert, helped by lively tempos. Its near-solo tone, though, mingles rather than contrasts with the similar-scaled orchestra...Of the soloists, Thomas Hobbs is outstandingly expressive and vocally at ease, while bass Peter Kooij too is magnificent...this is Bach at his most inventive, in a sensitive and polished performance.

Especially in BWV25, Collegium Vocale Gent create the most ravishing of luminescent textures...Perfect balance is found here and Hana Blažiková's sparkling singing contributes to a memorable account...I defy anyone to find a more deploring and anguished reading of 'Wie zittern', with oboist Marcelle Ponseele performing the obbligato oboe even more exquisitely than before...a reading of experience and great beauty: quite simply a 'must-have' for Bach lovers.

The virtues of Philippe Herreweghe’s interpretations are lean textures, clarity and superb, light-fingered instrumental dexterity. The drawbacks are a tendency towards ponderous, dogmatic, slightly stabby phrasing from the choir. However, Hana Blazikova supplies ravishing soprano solos, and the supple-voiced British tenor Thomas Hobbs also impresses.