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FRANCOIS COUPERIN
(1668 - 1733)
François Couperin, known as le grand to distinguish him from an uncle of the same name, was the most distinguished of a numerous family of French musicians, officially succeeding his uncle and father as organist of the Paris church of St. Gervais when he was eighteen. He enjoyed royal patronage under Louis XIV and in 1693 was appointed royal organist and belatedly royal harpsichordist. As a keyboard-player and composer he was pre-eminent in France at the height of his career. He died in Paris in 1733.
(from Naxos website - http://www.naxos.com/person/Francois_Couperin/27135.htm)
I just heard the music of Couperin for the first time yesterday. His two organ masses, one "for the parishes," the other "for the convents," played by New Zealand organist Gillian Weir (recorded in the 1970's & now on Decca Eloquence). The first mass is more dance-like and animated, the second somewhat more laid back. Apparently he used the plainchant in the first, but the second has characteristics of a freer fantasia form. One can certainly pick this up quite easily, there's a big difference between the two. But the thing I was most surprised by is the abrupt ending of each of these two works. Perhaps the choral accompaniment, which is omitted on this recording (and most others?), would have made up the actual ending. In any case, these works are effective on their own as virtuostic organ pieces. Apparently, the pedals are hardly used, most of it is played on the keyboards.
What do people think of this important French Baroque composer?
(1668 - 1733)
François Couperin, known as le grand to distinguish him from an uncle of the same name, was the most distinguished of a numerous family of French musicians, officially succeeding his uncle and father as organist of the Paris church of St. Gervais when he was eighteen. He enjoyed royal patronage under Louis XIV and in 1693 was appointed royal organist and belatedly royal harpsichordist. As a keyboard-player and composer he was pre-eminent in France at the height of his career. He died in Paris in 1733.
(from Naxos website - http://www.naxos.com/person/Francois_Couperin/27135.htm)
I just heard the music of Couperin for the first time yesterday. His two organ masses, one "for the parishes," the other "for the convents," played by New Zealand organist Gillian Weir (recorded in the 1970's & now on Decca Eloquence). The first mass is more dance-like and animated, the second somewhat more laid back. Apparently he used the plainchant in the first, but the second has characteristics of a freer fantasia form. One can certainly pick this up quite easily, there's a big difference between the two. But the thing I was most surprised by is the abrupt ending of each of these two works. Perhaps the choral accompaniment, which is omitted on this recording (and most others?), would have made up the actual ending. In any case, these works are effective on their own as virtuostic organ pieces. Apparently, the pedals are hardly used, most of it is played on the keyboards.
What do people think of this important French Baroque composer?
