Ravel’s songs effortlessly evoke moods and atmosphere and through his skilled use of harmony and tone colour create an enchanted world of vivid animal characterisations (Histoires naturelles), sultry eroticism (Chansons madécasses) and child-like wonder (Noël des jouets). This diverse collection, the first to be performed in the original seven languages the composer set, encompasses Ravel’s love of natural sounds, dance rhythms and folk-song.