Niquet’s recording is an honest piece of work, but interesting too for its divergences from Gardiner’s, Most noticeable, Niquet tips the balance between choir and orchestra in favour of the latter, against Gardiner’s of the former.

This is an exhilarating performance from Niquet, swiftly and pointedly led. The notes and texts provided are well up to Alpha’s usual very high standard. This new recording moves to the top-choice spot for this work and is recommended.

[Niquet] sounds scarcely able to contain his impatience before being able to record this new performance...Le Concert Spirituel’s version is both quicker and smoother than Gardiner’s. While not avoiding any of the daring harmonic clashes that must have pinned back ears in the 1820s, it enjoys them rather less than Gardiner. The effect is more intimate and chapel-like. The choir are courageous, especially the sopranos.

The performance is vivid (the Kyrie is brilliant), though I find Gardiner’s slightly slower tempos for the tender, gentle movements — Gratias, O salutaris, Agnus — more convincing.