Preceding Johann Sebastian Bach, Charpentier is the most important master who turned to setting the Hymn to the Virgin Mary, the Magnificat. No less than ten works, in differing vocal and instrumental scoring and form comprise this genre.

In the present Magnificat H 78 for five voices [in which alto and bass also have solo roles], two flutes, strings and basso continuo, each of the individual movements contains its own expressive profile in sound. The work was composed around 1690 for the Jes...