The Tallis Scholars' association with Josquin des Prés (c 1450-1521), whose identity remains mysterious despite exhaustive scholarly digging, dates back to the late 80s when their Pange lingua disc won a Gramophone Record of the Year award. In the fifth in their Josquin cycle, they reach the Missa de Beata Virgine – probably a late work, widely performed in the composer's life time and surviving in an astonishing 69 sources – and the earlier, more serene Ave maris stella. Both, though stylistically contrasting, use chant melody with elaborate canons and mathematical schemes. This exceptional ensemble makes it sound effortless, with impeccable tuning and evenness of tone. Peter Phillips and John Milsom provide invaluable liner notes.