When his Penitential Psalms were published in Munich in 1584, 25 years after their composition, Orlande de Lassus was the most famous composer in Europe, with publishers quarreling among themselves to get first call on his new works. This extraordinary cycle sets seven Old Testament psalms linked by the common theme of penitence and contrition. Philippe Herreweghe's acclaimed 2006 recording of the work is now available as part of harmonia mundi's mid-priced Heritage series.