THE Stabat Mater of 1736, the year of Pergolesi's untimely death at the age of 26, is accompanied here by two settings of the Salve Regina, F minor for contralto and A minor for soprano. Countertenor David Daniels and soprano Dorothea R�schmann are the soloists. The balance of sound, for the most part, lies too heavily in the top range with the exception of some of the more spirited movements. Biondi's violin playing is sometimes weak but the sense of drama and poignancy, aided by judicious tempi, is laudable.

Karen Dervan