Lubin Baugin’s painting Le Christ mort pleuré par deux anges or Le Christ au tombeau, a detail of which adorns the cover of this release (the entire work is reproduced on the inside back flap), proves to be entirely apposite not only to the religious import of Charpentier’s music but to his Italianate style, with Baugin’s contained Mannerism reflecting the intimate theatricality of Charpentier’s petits motets.

Lent is a time for Christians to identify with Christ’s passion, not only by observing forms of penance and abstinence but meditating on the actual events leading up to the crucifixion; as Baugin’s putti contemplate the muscular, outstretched figure of Jesus, so are we (even if as predominately secular listeners) able to contemplate the suffering and sacrifice of our fellow human beings through the narrative qualities of Charpentier’s chosen texts – the word made flesh.

Ensemble Pierre Robert are, as with their earlier recordings for Alpha, beyond reproach, the three male voices accompanied by gamba, theorbo, bassoon and organ articulating the essential human element behind both the texts and the music with great style and intelligence: witness the expansive emotional weight brought to Quaerebat Pilatus dimittere Jesum or the intensity of Sola vivebat in antris, where Mary Magdalene here becomes everyone, asking why Jesus should have sacrificed himself for us sinners.

The remainder of the disc features elevations by Charpentier interspersed with solo organ meditations by Nicolas de Gringy and Nicolas Lebègue, and a final, uplifting motet for Easter Sunday, Charpentier’s Prose pour le jour de Pâques. WILLIAM YEOMAN