Le Poème Harmonique have a knack for imaginative programming. A frequent theme of their recordings is the fruitful co-existence of different cultures and idioms, and the cross-cultural exchanges that criss-crossed Europe throughout the late Renaissance. It seems that in Charles Tessier they have found a kindred spirit. A French musician whose life is but sparsely documented, he travelled the length and breadth of Europe, and possibly beyond. In 1597 he published a selection of musical works setting texts in different languages - including nonsense “Turkish”. This musical journey opens with a riot of colour - the “Turkish” pieces are as much danced as sung. There follow songs in German, in Italian, both straight and with a German accent (an early setting of the Matona mia cara made famous by Lassus), Spanish, French and English - the latter represented by Dowland, sung a cappella.

I have seldom had anything but the highest praise for this ensemble's recordings, and despite the disparity of its elements, the overall impression is yet again thoroughly convincing on the level of programming, while individual pieces are strongly characterised. Apart from the pieces already mentioned, the languorous airs de cour are perhaps their most impressive collective achievements: they echo the grand eloquence and sober dignity of the grant chants of the trouvères, centuries earlier. Claire Lefilliâtre turns in yet another affecting performance, confirming my impression of her as one of the finest interpreters of this period. But the coherence of the entire ensemble is just as telling: singers and players meld together seamlessly, allowing individuals to embroider their lines with seemingly total freedom, without detracting from the whole. Listen to the cornet player William Dongois in the closing track, Quand le flambeau du monde: this is the sort of fluid, idiomatic weave that Jan Garbarek was aiming at (but never really came close to) on his recordings with the Hilliard Ensemble. The programme is brief by CD standards but admirers of Le Poème Harmonique will not feel short-changed.