The Tours and Deslauriers manuscripts contain over three hundred pieces and are a vital testimony of French Baroque music in the early 17^th century. Most of the works were composed for cathedral choir schools, likely in the south of the Kingdom. But both manuscripts remain baffling – although some compositions can be attributed to Bouzignac, Boësset or Moulinié, most are anonymous.        

Did they come from a musician who throughout his life collected works he considered of value? Were they the winners of contemporary music contests (known as Puys de musique)?

The mystery remains, although there is no doubt about the quality and scope of the music. They include dramatic sacred accounts and breathtakingly sensual motets inspired by the Song of Songs, but also vivid pieces describing the Garden of Earthly Delights, the Cedars of Lebanon, the Bouquets of Myrrh and the Roses of Sharon. They are unique testimonials of sacred music at that time, a Rosetta stone from the early 17^th century which sheds light on this fascinating period in history.