The Grands Motets on this disc (Exaudiat, Notus in Judaea Deus and Benedictus) are scored for five soloists, five-part choir and orchestra. Although averaging only...

The Grands Motets on this disc (Exaudiat, Notus in Judaea Deus and Benedictus) are scored for five soloists, five-part choir and orchestra. Although averaging only a quarter of an hour in length, they are nevertheless broad in conception. Le Concert Spirituel certainly does not tiptoe around these works but rather throw themselves into their performances with élan.

The three Grands Motets are interspersed with Lully's settings of O dulcissime Domine and Laudate pueri Dominum. The two women's voices in O dulcissime Domine interweave magically over a continuo accompaniment. The highlight, however, is the first motet, Exaudiat te Dominus. The opening is lively and joyous, contrasting with the sad, heart-felt setting of Domine salvum fac. Le Concert Spirituel bring out the contrasts in the Dormierunt section of Notus in Judaea Deus well, and respond to the grandiose passages in the Benedictus. It is only in this latter piece that the generally crisp and rhythmic articulation flags.

The curious should not hesitate. The recording is in general good, although the harpsichord sounds dull. Full texts and translations are included.

-- Colin Clarke, MusicWeb International