Album: Biber/Sances/Legrenzi etc, Via Crucis (Virgin Classics)

Christina Pluhar and L'Arpeggiata join forces with Corsican vocal ensemble Barbara Furtuna and assorted soloists for a fascinating programme of motets and meditations on the Passion.

Movements from Biber's Rosary Sonatas lead to ululating chants, Renaissance lullabies and florid Baroque laments. Pluhar is a more-is-more director, decorating the simplest folk melodies with cornetto divisions and glistening chords from dulcimer, harp and archlute. Exquisite Venetian and Roman arias for contrast.