French composer Charles Tournemire was a prolific composer, though much of his output remains unknown and unpublished. His association with the organ overshadows his chamber music, operas, oratorios and songs and he also completed eight symphonies, seven of which are available on the Marco Polo label.

Most of the mélodies are relatively early works, and only two of those on this album have been published. Each demonstrates the composer’s great melodic gift, love of mystical harmonies and keen ear for ‘atmosphere’.

Michael R. Bundy is an outstanding exponent of French mélodie whose book Prophets without Honour complements his Naxos recordings of the songs of Tournemire, Widor (8572345) and Vierne (8572346).