In seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century France sacred music came to the fore during Holy Week, partly because opera and other secular musical entertainments were suspended, and partly because the veiling of paintings and other objects in churches meant that music played a primary role in the expression of the liturgy.

In this programme elaborate and expressive motets for Holy Week by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, François Couperin and Michel de Lalande are contrasted with pieces for harpsichord, theorbo and bass viol by Louis Couperin, Robert de Visée, Johann Jacob Froberger and Marin Marais.

Le Jardin Secret is one of the most exciting young groups specialising in Baroque music, and won the 2007 International Young Artists Competition in York. Its first recording has been greeted with enthusiastic reviews: ‘first-class debut disc…. Le Jardin Secret have a very bright future indeed… the performances are superb.’ – Daily Telegraph