[François Couperin] Introducing famous and popular pieces by the composer who loved the harpsichord
François Couperin, a French composer of the Baroque era.
He grew up in the illustrious musical Couperin family and became the most famous member of his lineage.
Among French musicians he was a unique talent; it is said that the famous German composer Brahms—despite his strong dislike of French music—showed considerable interest in Couperin’s works.
In this article, we introduce some of François Couperin’s masterpieces and popular pieces.
Among his works, the Pièces de clavecin—over 200 pieces—hold a central place.
From these, we’ve selected some of the most renowned pieces, so please enjoy the elegant, evocative music played on the harpsichord.
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[François Couperin] Introducing Masterpieces and Popular Works by the Composer Who Loved the Harpsichord (21–30)
Suite collection “People of Various Nations”, Second Suite “The Spaniards”François Couperin
Suite collection Les Nations, 2nd Ordre, “L’Espagnole” (The Spaniard).
Performed by Ensemble Chouchou from Osaka.
Members: Naoko Zaizen, Masahiko Ueda, Yuka Nagao, Ayane Hariya, Hiroyuki Ueda, Natsuo Kubota, and Hiromi Okamoto.
Harpsichord Pieces, Book I, Suite No. 1: No. 3François Couperin
From Pieces de clavecin, Premier Livre, Ordre No.
1: No.
3 Sarabande — “La Majestueuse.” Performed on the harpsichord (clavecin) by Louise Acabo, recorded at the Paris Regional Conservatory in France.
From Harpsichord Pieces, Book II, Suite No. 11François Couperin
From Harpsichord Pieces, Second Book, Suite No.
11 (Pièces de clavecin, Second Livre, Ordre No.
11): 1.
La Castalane, 2.
The Resplendent Lady, or Madame Bontemps, 3.
Native Grace, 4.
Zénobie, 5.
Records of the Great Menestrandise of Old, and more.
Performed by Monika Foryś.
From ‘Pièces de clavecin’ Book II, Suite No. 6: No. 1François Couperin
From the Second Book of Harpsichord Pieces, Suite No.
6 (Pièces de clavecin, Second Livre, Ordre No.
6), No.
1: The Reapers (Les Moissonneurs).
Performed by Satoko Kihara (oboe), Yuki Akatsuka (piano), and Toru Kihara (tambourine), at the Tiara Koto Small Hall.
From the Second Book of Harpsichord Pieces, Suite No. 8, No. 8François Couperin
From the Second Book of Harpsichord Pieces, Suite No.
8 (Pièces de clavecin, Second Livre, Ordre No.
8): No.
8, Passacaille.
The harpsichord (cembalo) is performed by Lorenzo Antinori.
Recorded at the Gioachino Rossini Conservatory in Pesaro, Italy.
From the Second Book of Harpsichord Pieces, Suite No. 9, No. 1François Couperin
From Pièces de clavecin, Second Book, Suite No.
9 (Ordre No.
9): No.
1, Allemande for two harpsichords (Allemande à deux clavecins).
The first piece is often performed on its own.
Performed by Evan Cully and Leonard Schmidt.
From the Third Book of Harpsichord Pieces, Suite No. 14, No. 6François Couperin
From Harpsichord Pieces, Book III, Suite No.
14 (Pièces de clavecin, Troisième Livre, Ordre No.
14), No.
6: La Julliet.
Performed by the accordion duo Una Sinistra: Yulia Amerikova and Alexander Seribanov.