The Couperin family produced as many as twenty musicians between the late 16th and mid-19th centuries, many serving as organists at the church of Saint Gervais in Paris.
Compositional Technique
The 'prélude non mesuré' (unmeasured prelude) found in Louis Couperin's work, characterized by whole notes indicating pitch but no specific rhythm, likely originated from the lute.
Composer Biography
Louis Couperin (c.1626-1661) was the first professional musician in his family, serving as organist at Saint Gervais and later at the court of Louis XIV.
Composer Biography
François Couperin (1668-1733), known as 'le Grand,' was appointed court organist to Louis XIV at age 25 and later harpsichord teacher to the young princes and princesses.
Composition History
François Couperin's treatise, 'L'Art de toucher le clavecin,' dedicated to the six-year-old Louis XV in 1716, is considered one of the most important 18th-century harpsichord playing treatises and was studied by J.S. Bach.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The enigmatic titles of François Couperin's harpsichord pieces, which he described as 'portraits,' have led to endless speculation about their meaning, as he stated, 'I do not need to comment further'.
Composer's Artistic Vision
François Couperin (1668-1733) called his groups of harpsichord pieces 'ordres' rather than 'suites,' possibly intending them as groups of pieces with a common character, similar to a 'group of knights' in the Middle Ages.
