Restored by Mayr expert Frans Hauk from two extant manuscript versions and heard here in its world première recording, Simon Mayr’s Stabat mater in F minor was singled out by a contemporary biographer “for its marvellous effect” and “heavenly beauty”. Mayr himself frequently returned to this work, recycling one of its movements in his great Requiem (Naxos 8.573419-20). The song-like Ave maris stella builds on a hymn that dates back to the 8th century.