Pierre-Claude Foucquet held several significant organist positions in Paris, including at St Honoré, St Victor, St Eustache, and ultimately at the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris.
Performer Biography
Fernando De Luca, the harpsichordist on this album, founded 'Sala del Cembalo del Caro Sassone,' which has become the largest source of recordings by a professional harpsichordist in the world.
Compositional Technique
Foucquet's first book of harpsichord pieces includes a comprehensive table of ornaments, more detailed than any other French composer of the 18th century, with precise indications for suspension, arpeggiation, and registration.
Compositional Technique
In his second book, Foucquet instructs performers to always strike the bass note before the treble without altering the beat, indicating a specific staggering between the hands in most pieces.
Composer Biography
Pierre-Claude Foucquet, the composer, came from a distinguished family of musicians and organists, with his grandfather and father also serving as organists in prominent Parisian churches.
Performer Biography
Fernando De Luca has held harpsichord chairs at two conservatories in Italy: the Pierluigi da Palestrina Conservatory in Cagliari and the Antonio Vivaldi Conservatory in Alessandria.
Album & Artwork
The album cover features Jean-Marc Nattier's 1738 portrait of Madame Geoffrin, chosen because its artistic spirit and visual elements, like flowing fabric and round forms, resonate with Foucquet's harpsichord music.
You might also enjoy...
Frescobaldi & Couperin
The French Harpsichord
The French Harpsichord
Le Rappel Des Oiseaux
L'aimable. Une journée avec Louis XV
Dessiner les passions
Couperin: Complete Works for Harpsichord
François Couperin: Premier Livre de Pièces de Clavecin
