Pergolesi: Missa S. Emidio, Salve Regina, Manca la guida al piè, Laudate pueri Dominum; soloists, Swiss Radio Chorus / Orchestra Mozart / Abbado

Abbado has always had a soft spot for his 18th-century compatriot Pergolesi, and is exploring some byways of his sacred music for his 300th anniversary. The jewel here is the Salve regina , sung with intensity and concentration by Mingardo, from the contrapuntal world of the famous Stabat mater . More extrovert are the large-scale Mass (for St Emidius, patron saint of Naples after the 1730s earthquakes) and the psalm setting, full of exuberance but less originality. Abbado's youthful Orchestra Mozart is partnered by a rather wispy-sounding choir, while Cangemi shines in a strange aria from a sacred drama, full of vivid word-painting.