Pichon and his superb choir and period instrument orchestra, Pygmalion, move the discussion on by sensitively adding their own interpretive layer in this beautiful and truly moving programme.

This is a Requiem that goes all out for dramatic effect, the explosive choral consonants of the opening matched by acutely focused string syncopations.

Pichon presents compelling evidence that the seeds of Mozart’s mature masterpieces were sown in the composer’s extreme youth, and the results are truly ear-opening...When the Mass proper gets underway, Pichon seems at pains to remind us of Mozart’s indebtedness to the Baroque tradition. Perhaps his swift tempi in the quartet movements won’t be to everyone’s taste, but certainly they convey a keen sense of the dying composer’s race against time.

By careful selection of the 22 tracks you can still isolate the usual version in Süssmayr’s familiar completion, blessed with fiercely eloquent singing and an instrumental balance usefully weighted towards the dark, plangent colours of winds and brass. The sonics in the additions are equally thrilling.

Pygmalion, Pichon’s period orchestra and choir, are incisive, spirited, and exact, both in intonation and diction….Beautifully recorded in Namur’s Grand Manège concert hall, this a memorable and enthralling take on a sometimes over-familiar work. A real breath of fresh air.