Stile Antico launches a trilogy of recordings on the Decca label with a portrait of Josquin des Prez, marking the 500th anniversary of the composer’s death. The superb Missa Pange lingua forms the centrepiece of a varied sequence of motets and chansons, including some of Josquin’s best loved music - Ave Maria, virgo serena and Inviolata, integra et casta es Maria - as well as the premiere recording of the chanson Vivrai je tousjours. Two works dedicated to Josquin’s memory, by Hieronymus Vinders and Jacquet de Mantua, complete this sumptuous programme.

‘There is a cohesion and clarity of purpose here that I’ve not always found in this ensemble’s earlier recordings. The tone is luminous, textures are admirably clear; the “big” sound I recall from previous offerings is better focused and tempos are generally sensible (and at any rate consistent).‘ - Gramophone