Henri Hardouin (1727–1808) was a chorister in Reims Cathedral, rising swiftly through the ranks to become maître de chapelle – until the French Revolution disbanded religious establishments. As a priest he was in potential danger and seems to have gone into hiding until, in 1794, the death of Robespierre allowed him to resume his duties.

Hardouin’s six four-part masses, published in 1772, are unusual for their time in being a cappella, and enjoyed wide circulation in pre-Revolutionary France. Since then they have been roundly neglected – an omission this two-CD survey intends to rectify.

St Martin’s Chamber Choir – the only professional choir in the Denver area – previously appeared on the Toccata Classics CD of Joaquín Nin-Culmell’s Symphonie des Mystères.