[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.
- [Couperin’s Piano Works] Introducing Masterpieces Left by a Renowned Keyboard Virtuoso of the Baroque Era
- François Couperin Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- [Masterpiece Classics] A special showcase of gem-like masterpieces so beautiful they’ll move you to tears
- A masterpiece by Jean-Philippe Rameau. Popular classical music.
- Francis Poulenc Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- Jean-Philippe Rameau Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- Gabriel Fauré | Introduction to His Famous and Representative Works
- [Classical Music] A carefully curated selection of masterpieces born in the pivotal era that bridged the Baroque and Romantic periods
- [Poulenc’s Piano Works] A Curated Selection of Masterpieces by a Composer of Esprit
- Classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.
- It’s so cool if you can play these on the piano! A selection of irresistibly charming masterpieces.
- A masterpiece by Franck. Popular classical music.
- Introducing Maurice Ravel’s Famous and Representative Works
[François Couperin] Introducing Masterpieces and Popular Works by the Composer Who Loved the Harpsichord (41–50)
Mass for the ParishFrançois Couperin
A French composer of the 17th century, he stood at the pinnacle of a family of musicians and is known as “Couperin le Grand.” Over the course of his life as a musician at Versailles, he left masterpieces in chamber ensembles that sought to fuse the French and Italian styles, in small-scale sacred works, and in keyboard music emblematic of the Rococo style.
The Mass for the Parishes was written for the Church of Saint-Gervais, where he served as organist from 1685 to 1723.
It is known as a representative work of the 17th-century French organ mass, notable for its colorful and subtle tonal palette.
[François Couperin] Introducing Masterpieces and Popular Works by the Composer Who Loved the Harpsichord (51–60)
From Pièces de clavecin, Book IV, Suite No. 27François Couperin
From Harpsichord Pieces, Fourth Book, Suite No.
27 (Pièces de clavecin, Quatrième Livre, Ordre No.
27): 1.
The Exquisite (L’exquise), 2.
The Poppies (Les pavots), 3.
The Chinese Style (Les Chinois), 4.
Wit (Saillie).
Performed by Elena Doncel from Madrid, Spain.
From Clavecin Pieces, Book III, Suite No. 13François Couperin
From Pieces de clavecin, Third Book, Suite No.
13 (Pièces de clavecin, troisième livre, Ordre No.
13): 1.
The Blooming Lily, 2.
The Reeds, 3.
The Ribbon of the Bodice, 4.
The French Temperament, or The Domino, 5.
The Souls in Purgatory.
Performed by Ms.
Julia Ageyeva Hess at the Gildenhorn Recital Hall, University of Maryland.
From Pièces de clavecin, Book III, Suite No. 14: No. 1 and No. 2François Couperin
From Harpsichord Pieces, Third Book, Suite No.
14 (Pièces de clavecin, Troisième Livre, Ordre No.
14): No.
1 “The Nightingale in Love” (Le Rossignol en amour) and No.
2 “Variation on the Nightingale” (Double de Rossignol).
Performed by amateur pianist Kaori Nakamura from Aichi Prefecture.
Harpsichord Pieces, Book I, Suite I, No. 13: “The Bourbon Lady (Gavotte)”François Couperin
François Couperin, a French composer who epitomizes the Baroque era.
Among the Couperin family, he displayed especially outstanding talent and is praised as “Couperin le Grand.” The Pièces de clavecin is one of his major works.
Among the pieces in this collection, the gavotte popularly known as “The Lady of the House of Bourbon,” included in the First Book, is particularly beloved.
With its lively rhythm and beautiful melody that evoke the cheerful atmosphere of courtly dance, as well as its brilliant ornamentation, this piece is an ideal introduction to Baroque music.
Harpsichord Pieces, Book III, Suite No. 14, No. 7: “The Bells of the Island of Cythera”François Couperin
Among the Couperin family of musicians who flourished in the Baroque era, François Couperin—hailed as “Couperin le Grand”—displayed his gifts across a wide range of genres, including keyboard music, chamber music, and vocal works.
One piece from his Third Book of Harpsichord Works, Les cloches de Cythera (“The Bells of Cythera”), reflects the refined tastes and intellectual life of the court, and with its distinctive sonorities and rhythms, it sparks the listener’s imagination.
Even the title alone evokes the sound of bells ringing across an island; why not listen to the piece yourself and see what it conjures up?
In conclusion
We’ve introduced some of Couperin’s famous and popular pieces.
Did you enjoy the lovely timbre of the harpsichord? As mentioned at the beginning, there are many pieces in the “Pièces de clavecin,” so please be sure to explore the others as well.
He also wrote chamber music and more, so give those a listen too!