This is the fourth volume of Charpentier sacred music to have come from Le Concert Spirituel, and appears after a time gap which should leave no one in doubt that they cannot, just cannot, be considering recording the lot. Never mind, though, we should certainly be thankful enough that in this selection of Marian motets and an ‘Easter song’ for voices and instruments they have included only one work currently available elsewhere, and that that is the fine Litanies a la Vierge, H83. A 17-minute catalogue of the Holy Lady’s virtues liberally interspersed with heartfelt pleas for intercession, it shows Charpentier in inspired form, setting fervent but dignified expressions of joy alongside suitably gorgeous and reverential expositions of her mystical qualities. There are enjoyable details as well, including an echoingly repetitive setting of the words ‘speculum justitiae’ – mirror of justice. Highlights among the other pieces include the four well-crafted and contrasted antiennes (antiphons), a jaunty Magnificat, an attractive dialogue between men and angels (Pro omnibus festis), and the Easter motet in which news of the Resurrection spreads through the music with all the excited clamour of a swift-flying rumour.
As one would expect, the performers are thoroughly at home in this idiom. The vocal blend produced by the six singers is not as refined as that of some rival groups, and solo passages are not always totally secure, but occasional harshness of timbre is perhaps compensated for by increased interpretative ardour. The instrumental sound is more successful, however, with the two violins and cello receiving taut support from two theorbos and organ. Not an exceptional release, perhaps, but certainly a disc for Charpentier fans, and one which the unconverted ought to find enjoyable enough as well. One tiny thing irritated me, though: the trills on the thirds of final chords – so fashionable in this repertoire – are here prolonged to hitherto unheard of (and caricaturistic) lengths.'