Ernest Chausson's music has always seemed, to those who love it, a 'special case'. So ready are French-song enthusiasts to praise and celebrate Duparc and Fauré, Debussy and Ravel, that the quiet, self-effacing man hiding behind a beard is all too easily overlooked.

These two compact discs contain all of Chausson's published solo songs (and two duets) for voice and piano, as well as the Chanson perpétuelle with string quartet. Also included are several unpublished songs transcribed from manuscript sources in the Bibliothèque Nationale. There are 43 songs altogether, several receiving their first recording. Dame Felicity Lott and Ann Murray need no introduction but the disc also represents the recording debut of baritone Chris Pedro Trakas who has won many plaudits for his concerts and operatic work in his native America.