François Couperin Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Pièces de clavecin, Book III, Suite No. 18, No. 3 “La religieuse Monique”François Couperin29rank/position

Couperin, François: Harpsichord Pieces, Book III, Suite No. 18, No. 18: 3. The Nun Monique (piano: Junko Sezaki)

François Couperin, an important composer of French Baroque music, contributed not only to court music but also to church music.

His collections of harpsichord pieces contain many masterpieces that are quintessential examples of an elegant style.

Among them, The Nun Monique is a particularly captivating piece with its refined ornamentation and delicate expression.

The title, which has been interpreted in multiple ways, reveals Couperin’s witty sensibility.

Although technically somewhat challenging, it is a work I recommend to intermediate and advanced piano enthusiasts who wish to savor the beauty of Baroque music.

Harpsichord Pieces, Book III, Suite No. 18, No. 6: “Tick-Tock-Choc, or The Olive Press”François Couperin30rank/position

Couperin: Pièces de clavecin, Book III, 18th Suite, No. 6 — “Le tic-toc-choc, ou Les maillotins” (Piano: Eri Mantani)

François Couperin’s works are known for their refined Baroque musicality and humorously inventive titles.

The piece titled “Tick-Tock-Choc, or The Chocolate Grinder” from Pièces de clavecin, Book 3, 18th Suite, No.

6 is a quintessential example of his style.

Its rhythmically pendulum-like melody evokes a clock’s swing and shines even more beautifully when one makes full use of pedaling and dynamics.

It’s a masterpiece I highly recommend to anyone who wants to savor Baroque subtlety and expressive richness.

From the Third Book of Harpsichord Pieces, Suite No. 18François Couperin31rank/position

François Couperin Troisième livre de pieces de clavecin: Ordre XVIII

From Pieces de clavecin, Third Book, Ordre No.

18: 1.

The Lady of Verneuil, 2.

The Girl of Verneuil, 3.

Sister Monique, 4.

The Hubbub, 5.

Emotion, 6.

Tic–Toc–Choc, 7.

The Lame but Lively One.

Performed by Sin-Ying Tang.

Harpsichord Pieces, Book IV, Suite No. 23, No. 2: “The Knitting Women”François Couperin32rank/position

Couperin: Knitting Women, The Mysterious Rampart, TikTok Shock

François Couperin, a master of French Baroque music, came from a musical family and was known as “Couperin le Grand.” He was also one of the foremost harpsichordists of his time.

His representative work, the 23rd suite from Book IV of his Pièces de clavecin, “Les Tricoteuses” (The Knitting Women), is a piece notable for its delicate touch and lively rhythms.

It exemplifies the characteristics of Couperin’s mature style, which skillfully fuses French and Italian musical traditions.

Evoking the refined tastes and elegance of courtly life of the era, this piece is a popular repertoire item not only for the harpsichord but also for the piano.

From Harpsichord Pieces, Book IV, Suite No. 24François Couperin33rank/position

Ronan Khalil plays excerpts from F. Couperin’s 24th Ordre

Couperin’s “Pièces de clavecin.” This large-scale work spans four volumes, and the 24th suite, included in the fourth volume, was published in 1730.

It consists of eight pieces, each with a distinctive title.

With names like “The Great Lord,” “The Young Lord, Former Young Lord,” and “The Poisoned Lance,” the pieces seem to satirize the French court and society of the time or portray specific individuals and personalities.

Each piece has its own character and emotion, reflecting the composer’s delicate technique and expressive power.

It’s recommended not only for those interested in Baroque music but also for anyone who wants to enjoy the elegant timbre of the harpsichord.

Harpsichord Pieces, Book IV, Suite No. 25: No. 1François Couperin34rank/position

Couperin (1): La Visionaire (Rebecca Pechefsky)

From the Fourth Book of Harpsichord Pieces, Suite No.

25 (Pièces de clavecin, Quatrième Livre, Ordre No.

25): No.

1, “La visionnaire” (The Dreamer).

Performed by Rebecca Pechefsky.

Video recorded at the Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum in Manhattan, New York.

From Pièces de clavecin, Book IV, Suite No. 25: No. 2François Couperin35rank/position

Dustin Gledhill: Couperin, Pièces de Clavecin, “La Misterieuse”

One of the most popular pieces in the harpsichord collections.

Its elegant, evocative musical character is captivating and calls to mind the culture of the French court of the time.

As the title “The Mysterious Woman” suggests, the music portrays the enigmatic character and aura of a woman.

Intricate ornamentation and shifting rhythms are interwoven, demanding advanced technique and expressive nuance from the performer.

Included in the fourth book published in 1730, it runs about 5 minutes and 40 seconds, stimulating the listener’s imagination and leaving room for varied interpretations.

It’s recommended not only for classical music enthusiasts but also for anyone interested in Baroque music.