Stephen Layton leads the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and his own superb choral ensemble, Polyphony, in a powerful performance of Bach's most dramatic masterpiece, the St. John Passion. Joined by a starry team of soloists, Layton directs a particularly vivid account of the work, the excitement of the narrative drama contrasting with heartbreaking moments of reflection.

Handel's 'Messiah' is already very well-represented on the CD market. Yet this is a very special version, carefully crafted, under the fine direction of Daniela Dolci, with singers Miriam Feuersinger, Flavio Ferri-Benedetti, Dino Lüthy and Raitis Grigalis joining the ensemble Musica Fiorita. For obtaining the nuanced sound aesthetics which define this recording, the chosen cast is deliberately small: alongside the soloists, two voices per part were...