CHARLES TOURNEMIRE (1870-1939): Poème, Op. 32, Sagesse, Op. 34, Triptyque, Op. 39, 3 Lieder, Op. 46, Dialogue sacré, Op. 50, Solitude, Le désir qui palpite.

Description: Tournemire's deeply serious, religious, mystical mélodies (as an example, Sagesse is an 18-minute dialogue between God and a tormented soul to a poem by Verlaine while most of the others here set Albert Samain) have been largely ignored. But baritone Bundy, who has written a book on the songs of Vierne, Widor and Tournemire makes a good argument in his notes and performances for the composer's sensitivity in word-setting, melodic gift and sense of texture. For true Francophiles. Texts and translations available on-line. Michael Bundy (baritone), Claire Seaton (soprano, op. 50), Helen Crayford (piano).