This delightful new issue from yet another small but enterprising company duplicates little or nothing otherwise available in the current catalogue. The main work here is Charpentier's Quatuor anni tempestatis (''The four seasons of the year''). When, or for whom, Charpentier wrote these engaging motets—there are four in all, one for each season—is not known. They draw their inspiration from the Song of Solomon and are scored for two sopranos and continuo, though alone among the four ''Aestas'' (Summer) has a short three-part instrumental prelude for three recorders and continuo. The text of this motet, furthermore includes the oft-quoted lines ''Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples, for I am sick of love''. The music is not perhaps vintage Charpentier but is nevertheless appealing with many instances of those affecting melismatic passages of which Charpentier was unquestionably and distinctively a master. The sopranos, Francoise Semellaz and Noemi Rime are evenly matched and fairly agile. Not everything is declaimed with faultless accuracy but the sense of style is assured both in the vocal parts and in the continuo.
Among a vast collection of surviving sacred music Charpentier left over 80 psalms. They range from elaborate settings with as many as eight solo- ists, double choir and orchestra to intimate compositions requiring only solo voices, one or two melody instruments and continuo. Three such pieces are included here, of which the Nisi Dominus (Psalm 127) is perhaps the most striking. The vocal writing is three-part (two sopranos and a bass), two treble instruments and continuo. These artists turn in an affecting performance, sensitively sung and gracefully shaped. The remaining Psalms do not come off quite so consistently and there are a few ugly lapses in intonation. But my overall impression of the performances is favourable. Le Parlement de Musique is Strasbourg-based and I shall hope to hear more of them. Noemi Rime is one of the rising constellations of Les Arts Florissants and her voice is one which attracts me by its warmth of tone and sensibility of expression. The recording is clear and effective. Well worth exploring.'