To describe anything by Jean Mouton (1459-1522) as "famous" is stretching a point, but of all the refined, complex vocal compositions by the French Renaissance composer-priest, Nesciens Mater is best known. This eight-part canonical motet is among seven works – including the four-part Missa Tu es Petrus – on this outstanding disc by the youthful Brabant Ensemble, accomplished specialists in this repertoire. Starting his working life near Amiens, Mouton moved south towards the Alps, working for three different French monarchs and embracing courtly influences that enriched his distinctive, text-sensitive style. The Brabant's singing throughout is polished, flexible, lean and – exactly what you want here – transcendent.