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Hervé Niquet’s latest recording is indeed “old school,” but not so much for the pieces it features, in spite of how well 17th century French repertoire fits the term. Rather, it’s the fact that this album represents the fruit of a decade of labor devoted to music of such exceptional difficulty: François Couperin’s three Leçons de Ténèbres. According to Hervé Niquet, the seven singers that he conducts as members of his Concert Spirituel embody the nuns who used to sing these lamentations each and every year of their lives, cloistered in their monasteries. Read and sung as part of Catholic liturgy ever since the 18th century, the Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet were particularly prevalent in France, where the piece was sung in a number of different churches of the kingdom, even during Holy Week, when music was otherwise completely banned. Composers all sought to rise to the challenge of setting this text to music, as the Leçons de Ténèbres were all-the-rage amongst laypeople, to the point that clergy members often struggled to manage the swarms of people who overcrowded their churches to attend what became wildly popular social events. François Couperin’s Leçons de Ténèbres date back to the very end of Louis the 14th’s reign. Composed for the nuns of the Longchamp Abbey, the piece is a demonstration of peak expressivity. Complemented by Michel-Richard de Lalande’s renowned Miserere and Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Répons de Ténèbres, this interpretation by the singers and musicians of Hervé Niquet’s Concert Spirituel is streamlined, yet bursting with fervor. This album serves as an excellent overview of some of the most beautiful music to have come out of France’s Grand Siècle. © François Hudry/Qobuz
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François Saint-Yves, MainArtist - Louis Chein, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - François Couperin, Composer - Anonymous, Lyricist - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Composer - Anonymous, Lyricist - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Composer - Anonymous, Lyricist - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Anonymous, Lyricist - François Couperin, Composer - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Composer - Anonymous, Lyricist - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Michel-Richard de Lalande, Composer - Anonymous, Lyricist - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Michel-Richard de Lalande, Composer - Anonymous, Lyricist - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Michel-Richard de Lalande, Composer - Anonymous, Lyricist - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Michel-Richard de Lalande, Composer - Anonymous, Lyricist - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Michel-Richard de Lalande, Composer - Anonymous, Lyricist - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Michel-Richard de Lalande, Composer - Anonymous, Lyricist - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Michel-Richard de Lalande, Composer - Anonymous, Lyricist - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Michel-Richard de Lalande, Composer - Anonymous, Lyricist - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Herve Niquet, MainArtist, Conductor - Le Concert Spirituel, MainArtist, Orchestra - Michel-Richard de Lalande, Composer - Anonymous, Lyricist - Didier Martin, AAndRManager, ExecutiveProducer - Louise Burel, Producer - Maxime Sénicourt, Editor - Manuel Mohino, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor, MasteringEngineer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
Review: Le Concert Spirituel and Hervé Niquet - Couperin: Leçons de Ténèbres - Lalande: Miserere
Hervé Niquet’s latest recording is indeed “old school,” but not so much for the pieces it features, in spite of how well 17th century French repertoire fits the term. Rather, it’s the fact that this album represents the fruit of a decade of labor devoted to music of such exceptional difficulty: François Couperin’s three Leçons de Ténèbres. According to Hervé Niquet, the seven singers that he conducts as members of his Concert Spirituel embody the nuns who used to sing these lamentations each and every year of their lives, cloistered in their monasteries. Read and sung as part of Catholic liturgy ever since the 18th century, the Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet were particularly prevalent in France, where the piece was sung in a number of different churches of the kingdom, even during Holy Week, when music was otherwise completely banned. Composers all sought to rise to the challenge of setting this text to music, as the Leçons de Ténèbres were all-the-rage amongst laypeople, to the point that clergy members often struggled to manage the swarms of people who overcrowded their churches to attend what became wildly popular social events. François Couperin’s Leçons de Ténèbres date back to the very end of Louis the 14th’s reign. Composed for the nuns of the Longchamp Abbey, the piece is a demonstration of peak expressivity. Complemented by Michel-Richard de Lalande’s renowned Miserere and Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Répons de Ténèbres, this interpretation by the singers and musicians of Hervé Niquet’s Concert Spirituel is streamlined, yet bursting with fervor. This album serves as an excellent overview of some of the most beautiful music to have come out of France’s Grand Siècle. © François Hudry/Qobuz
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 31 track(s)
- Total length: 01:10:43
- 1 Digital booklet
- Main artists: Le Concert Spirituel Hervé Niquet
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Alpha Classics
- Genre: Classical
2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2026 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France & Le Concert spirituel
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