François Couperin, often referred to as François Couperin le Grand to distinguish him from other members of the musically talented Couperin family, was a significant French Baroque composer, organist, and harpsichordist. Born on November 10, 1668 in Paris, he was the most renowned of the Couperin dynasty of musicians; his uncle Louis and father Charles also had a considerable influence on the French musical landscape.

Couperin's career was marked by his prestigious position as the organist at the Church of Saint-Gervais in Paris, a role he inherited from his father, and later by his much coveted appointment to the court of Louis XIV at Versailles as organiste du Roi. In addition to his organ and harpsichord playing, he was a prolific composer and pedagogue. His best-known compositions are his keyboard works that include four volumes of "Pièces de clavecin" and "L'art de toucher le clavecin", a didactic treatise that delineated his keyboard technique and musical aesthetics. His music was characterized by a uniquely French refinement and intricacy, blending the strictness of the traditional French style with the more ornamented and expressive Italian influences. Although much of Couperin's work was designed for the harpsichord, his compositions have been transcribed for a wide array of instruments, evincing his enduring relevance in the classical music canon. Couperin's mastery of counterpoint and harmony has influenced generations of composers, and his death on September 11, 1733, marked the end of an era in French Baroque music, but the beginning of a lasting legacy.

Genres

Baroque

Classical

Classical Era

Early Music

French Baroque

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Latest Release

Oiseaux tristes. Couperin, Debussy & Ravel

Fazıl Say•

Claude Debussy•

François Couperin•

Maurice Ravel

Album - 14 Tracks - Released September 13, 2024