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François Couperin

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

François Couperin was a French Baroque composer, organist and harpsichordist. He was born on 10 November 1668 in Paris and died on 11 September 1733. To distinguish him from other musicians in his family he was called Couperin le Grand, Couperin the Great. His father Charles was organist at the Parisian church of Saint-Gervais, a post previously held by his uncle Louis Couperin, a famous keyboard player. As a boy François lost his father, and an organist from court circles took over his training. In 1690 his first publication appeared, Pièces d'orgue, a collection of organ masses.

Music and breakthrough

In 1713 he applied for a royal privilege to publish his music, and used it at once for the first of four books of keyboard music, Pièces de clavecin. Les barricades mystérieuses comes from the second book, which was published in 1717. His last publications were Pièces de violes in 1728 and the fourth book of keyboard music. In the 1720s his health gradually failed him, and in 1730 his daughter Marguerite-Antoinette took his place as harpsichordist at court.

Influence

His keyboard music consists of short pieces with picturesque titles, full of ornaments and a fine feeling for sound. The harpsichord cannot make its notes swell, so Couperin wrote melodies full of trills and embellishments that make the line sing. He is one of the most important composers of the French Baroque. His work shows how music without drums and without harsh sounds can still have a pulse and character of its own.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Les barricades mystérieuses on the harpsichord and notice the continuous, undulating line in the right hand. Can you hear how the notes keep half blending into one another, without the sound growing louder or softer?

Discography

Studio albums

Mentioned in other articles

Categories: ArtistsFrench Baroque