Czech Christmas Mass

"Boasting a directness and harmonic simplicity in which can be glimpsed echoes of Haydn and Mozart, it is delivered here by Magdalena Kozená and her three fellow singers with a folksy approach. Accompanied by the early-music ensemble Capella Regia Musicalis, the result is an engaging Mass of considerable charm." The Independent, 11th December 2009 ****

"Magdalena Kozená is part of a nicely balanced vocal ensemble and Robert Hugo conducts with vigorous involvement. The tenor and bass soloists, Jaroslav Brezina and Michal Pospíšil, bring a credible sense of dramatic involvement to their near-operatic roles. Brightly recorded, this performance is undoubtedly the best available of this much-loved work." BBC Music Magazine, January 2010 *****

As a preface to the Czech Christmas Mass, Magdalena Kožená sings three free-standing pastorellas, by Jakub Jan Ryba, each blessed with the same wide-eyed wonder that suffuses the longer work. Recorded 1998, this is the first time it has been released in the UK.

'One of the things I enjoy about working with period instrument groups like Capella Regia Musicalis is rediscovering that same joy in simply making music.' Kozena.