Returning to the Montpellier Codex for this programme of motets and chansons from 13th-century France, Anonymous 4 explores two dominant themes of the period: love and longing for the earthly/earthy Marion and the heavenly/virginal Marie.

The Montpellier Codex, from which Anonymous 4 draw all these motets, was collected in Paris around the year 1300 and is the richest single source of 13th-century French polyphony. With a repertory spanning the entire 13th century, it contains polyphonic works in all the major forms of its era: organum, conductus, hocket and, primarily, motet (315 motets in all).

Renowned for their unearthly vocal blend and virtuosic ensemble singing, Anonymous 4 combine historical scholarship with contemporary performance intuition to create their magical sound. Enchanted by live performances and 20 albums of medieval, contemporary and American music, Anonymous 4’s listeners have bought nearly two million copies of the group’s recordings for harmonia mundi.