In classical music, unlike most genres, live performance tends to take precedence over recording.

But, in the case of The Hanover Band and Chorus, the opposite is true, according to founding director Caroline Brown.

A cellist by training, Brown set up her orchestra in 1980, at a time when the "period" scene was still in its infancy, and quickly securing a recording contract with Hyperion.

Since then, the ensemble has worked with most of Britain's top classical labels, as well as performing extensively around the world.

"Those early recordings were our calling card," says Brown, from the band's Brighton base. "They led to 10 consecutive USA tours and are definitely responsible for our international reputation.

"And we're still primarily a recording ensemble. Nothing is more exciting than having played something four of five times in concert and then finally putting it down in a recording studio."

But Hanover concerts are more than just dress rehearsals for the main event. Hot on the heels of the Picardie Music Festival in France last weekend, the ensemble will be appearing this Saturday at Kingston Parish Church to launch a season of Thames Concerts, as well as the Kingston Festival of the Voice.

"It is a delight to do these Kingston dates," says Brown. "I don't know how many performances we've done at that church but the first must have been at least 15 or 20 years ago for Thames Concerts and it proved so popular, we've been asked back ever since."

Saturday's programme will feature Bach's beautiful Six Motets, written as funeral music for his local church of St Thomas's in Leipzig, it is rarely performed today.

Period-instrument specialist Andrew Arthur, who will direct the concert, said: "Bach's motets represent the pinnacle of choral writing, with a kaleidoscopic of vocal colours and textures and a moving response to the texts that are challenging to perform."

Talking of Bach, next up for Thames Concerts is London Mozart Players leader David Juritz, fresh from his charity fundraising tour Back to Bach. Hanover will also close the season next April with a classical programme conducted by Paul Brough. A veritable Hanover sandwich.

The Hanover Band, Kingston Parish Church, Market Place, Kingston, Saturday, Sept 29, 8pm, £18/£13/£11 from Hand Music, Griffin Centre, 07984 417278 or ticketweb.co.uk