Album: Sweelinck, Psaumes Francais etc (Harmonia Mundi)

The clean, easy blend of Capella Amsterdam fits Sweelinck’s smooth, understated polyphony.

Published between 1604 and 1621, the Psaumes de David are models of simplicity and restraint, and a startling contrast to Sweelinck’s florid works for keyboard. At a little over 15 minutes, the Te Deum is the most substantial work here, while the Magnificat and Beati Pauperes have a stern, almost Iberian aspect. Organist David Jansen and lutenist Ophira Zakaï add subtle colour to plain-speaking music.