François Couperin

Donald Macleod marks 350 years since the birth of François
Couperin, one of France’s most dazzling musical talents.


Donald begins by leading us through a gallery of the musical
portraits that Couperin composed – depicting his contemporaries
Lully and Corelli, his aristocratic patrons, and well-known
mythological figures. Next, he delves into Couperin’s
extraordinary musical family tree, boasting a long line of 7
Couperins who served as organist of St Gervais in Paris.
Throughout his glittering career at court, Francois Couperin
maintained a loyal connection with his family church and
dedicated several works for liturgical use there. We also hear
about Couperin’s time in the court of Louis XIV – as the Sun
King's composer, writing music for the Versailles Chapel and
court entertainment, but also as royal harpsichord tutor.
Finally, Donald examines how Couperin embraced the new musical
idioms emerging from other countries, and in particular
introduced Italian flavours to his native French style.


Music featured: La Couperin Salve Regina L’Apothéose de Corelli
La Charoloise La Princesse de Sens Arianne consolée par Bacchus
Regina coeli laetare, Alleluia Louis Couperin: Five Fantasies
Pange lingua en basse Quatre versets du motet Armand-Louis
Couperin: Simphonie de clavecins, in D major La Manon
L’Enchanteresse La Fleurie ou la tendre Nanette Les plaisirs de
Saint Germain en Laye Domine salvum fac regem Messe pour les
couvents (Gloria) Troisième Leçon Les Nations (La Francois) Messe
pour les paroisses (Agnus Dei) L’Art de toucher le clavecin
Respice in me Concert Royaux (Premier Concert) Pieces de violes
avec la basse chifree (Deuxième Suite) La Milordine La
Piemontoise Les Gouts-reunis ou Nouveaux Concerts (Cinquième
Concert) Quatrième livre de Pieces de clavecin, Vingt-troisième
ordre


Presenter: Donald Macleod Producer: Luke Whitlock for BBC Wales


For full tracklistings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Francois Couperin :
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000114n


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z