If I say that these recordings of Cantatas Nos 170 and 82 can hold up their heads in the most exalted company—for me that’s Janet Baker and the ASMF conducted by Neville Marriner, on Decca Eloquence 4762684, with Cantata No 159, that’s really all that need be said.

Except that Hyperion are competing with their own very fine earlier recording from James Bowman and the King’s Consort: Cantatas Nos 170, 54 and 169 on CDH55312.

In view of the slightly different couplings and the virtues of all three recordings I can’t pick a winner for you here, though the use of period instruments on both Hyperion recordings and the very fine 24-bit sound on the new release will settle the matter for many readers.