Couperin's collection "Les Nations" (The Nations) was published in 1726 and includes four "ordres" dedicated to Catholic powers considered natural allies of France.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Couperin's "Les Nations" was inspired by the Italian sonatas of Arcangelo Corelli, whose works he admired greatly.
Performer Biography
Luigi Accardo, one of the harpsichordists, has a master's degree in Musicology and Ethnomusicology, and has recorded previously unreleased works by the Bolognese composer Santo Lapis.
Performer Biography
Enrico Bissolo, the other harpsichordist, has won awards in organ competitions and a chamber music competition, and has published a complete edition of Gregorio Strozzi's music for organ and harpsichord.
Interpretation
Couperin himself suggested that his trios could be performed on two harpsichords, as well as other instruments, finding it often easier to gather two instruments than four professional musicians.
Composition History
François Couperin, the composer, initially presented his first sonata as the work of a new Italian composer to overcome French prejudice against foreign novelties.
Instruments
The harpsichords used in this recording are modern instruments by Keith Hill, crafted in 2004 (after Pascal Taskin, 1769) and 2001 (after a German anonymous, c. 1700).
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