Toutes les nuits

The night was a common theme in Renaissance poetry, and various collections of chansons on nocturnal images exist. This one, however, is a standout. Baritone and lutenist (they are , although the graphics suggest a separate ensemble) divide their program into five parts: Twilight, Solitude, Dream, Moonlight, and Dawn. The minimal ensemble of one singer and one instrumentalist is enlivened by various factors, one being the high quality of the repertory involved; these songs are lovely. The duo focuses in on one particular text, the anonymous Toutes les nuits (spelled in a delightful variety of ways, with one instrumental setting), and these are ideal for appreciating how composers approached the poetry they used. The musicians' techniques are also notable. adds a good deal of ornamentation that is quite varied from piece to piece, responding to the texts. uses two different lutes, one of them with metal strings, for an entirely unusual effect. All these factors add variety that makes the program consistently interesting, enough so that the inclusion of a song, heavily accented, at the end was not really necessary. The sound from the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Centeilles is not really idiomatic but is clear enough. This is a Renaissance chanson release of great interest to both specialist and general listeners, and it landed on classical best-seller lists in early 2023. ~ James Manheim