Sweden's Eric Ericson has set exalted standards in the realm of a cappella choral singing that have been admired for decades. His recordings on EMI in the 1960s and 1970s with the Stockholm Radio Chorus and the Stockholm Chamber Choir were considered remarkable in their day for daring programming and technical mastery, and they remain treasurable examples of fearless, inspired music-making.

'Virtuoso Choral Music', which has been released for the first time on CD by Clarion, abounds in works of exceptional depth and inventiveness in breathtaking (breath-giving?) performances. Ericson couldn't have traversed such vast terrain so expertly if he didn't have a keen grasp of myriad styles and techniques –or singers at his command who could negotiate the formidable demands set forth by the composers represented here. The only detours from 20th-century music are glorious excursions into Monteverdi and pre-1900s Richard Strauss. Then again, each of the 14 works on this three-disc set has something intriguing and penetrating to offer. And most of the items will be happy surprises for listeners who have had their ears buried in orchestral, operatic and chamber music.

There are too many goodies to enumerate. But a suggestion: don't skip a thing, especially the ingenious effects Lars Johan Werle achieves in Nautical Preludes; the mix of ancient and modern gestures in two Dallapiccola choruses; and an absolutely spellbinding 1897 Strauss piece, Der Abend (set to Schiller), that will melt all of those for whom the Rosenkavalier trio is heaven. Colourful Poulenc, disarming Jolivet and characteristically idiosyncratic, fresh Messiaen are but a number of other wonders that Ericson and company perform with utmost accuracy of pitch and ensemble, flexibility and expressive contrast.