Every new disc from Paul O’Dette is a special event, not least because he manages to heap revelation upon revelation with only an archaic, softly spoken instrument at his disposal. This latest release, featuring the music of Renaissance lutenist and composer Melchior Neusidler, is no exception.

Neusidler (1531-94) was the eldest son of Hans Neusidler, himself a composer, lutenist and lute-maker of great distinction. Born in Nuremberg, Neusidler fils later moved to Ausburg, where, among other activities, he led the refined chamber ensemble Stille Musica. His three lute books together include arrangements of dance tunes, folksongs and chorales, intabulations of madrigals and motets, and contrapuntal Italianate fantasias. O’Dette’s programme includes a good cross-section of these works, carefully organised into groups of between two and four contrasting pieces; for example, a typical group might comprise a chordal folksong arrangement, enlivened by rapid divisions, followed by a more textured fantasy and/or polyphonic madrigal, with a lively dance pair – perhaps a passamezzo and its attendant saltarello – to finish.

Three lutes are used: a six-course, a six-course alto and an eight-course. The resulting varied timbres are further supplemented by O’Dette’s subtly muted tonal palette, which in turn perfectly complements his dazzling virtuosity and absolute clarity of projection. Somewhat mysteriously, O’Dette also ensures that the differences between bright, unpretentious pieces such as Der Fuggerin Dantz and more complex, substantial fantasias such as the Ricercar secondo are happily reconciled in Neusidler’s superb madrigal intabulations.

This is music of the highest quality and deserves a wide audience. O’Dette’s persuasive advocacy should ensure it gets one.