Francois Couperin (1668-1733)

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201201Couperin The Great20120109As a leading figure in the French baroque and a member of a musical dynasty active in France from the 16th to 19th century, it's frustrating and surprising that so little is known about Fran瀀ois Couperin. Indisputably Fran瀀ois le Grand as he has come to be known, was a valued musician at the court of Louis XIVth. His career falls between two other baroque greats, Lully and Rameau, the other man often credited with being a master of the French harpsichord school. Yet the surviving fragments of his life have been pieced together from a few dry documents. Unlike Lully and Rameau, Fran瀀ois Couperin wasn't drawn to the operatic stage, rather he was a successful composer of chamber music, and early in his career, church music, masses and motets, but perhaps his crowning achievement was the production of well over 200 pieces for harpsichord. Published in four volumes of harpsichord works and an influential treatise on the art of playing the harpsichord they form a remarkable testimony to his achievements and offer us a tantalising window into the world of personalities that surrounded this elusive figure.

Donald Macleod and biographer, baroque authority and harpsichordist Olivier Baumont pay a visit to The Cobbe Collection of keyboard instruments at Hatchlands Park in Surrey. There, among a unique collection of composer owned instruments, rests an original Ruckers harpsichord, of the kind greatly favoured in Couperin's age. Across the course of the week, and specially recorded on this historic instrument, Olivier Baumont presents a portrait of Couperin as his contemporaries would have heard him.

Donald Macleod introduces Couperin's work.

201202The Art Of Playing The Harpsichord20120110Donald Macleod returns to Hatchlands Park in Surrey, the home of the Cobbe Collection of Keyboard Instruments. Today he takes a look at Fran瀀ois Couperin's duties at the court of Louis XIVth, and explores the joys of his famous instruction manual L'Art de Toucher le Clavecin with Olivier Baumont playing examples on an original seventeenth century harpsichord.

Donald Macleod explores Couperin's famous instruction manual L'art de toucher le clavecin.

201203The Italian Connection20120111After the death of Louis XIVth, Fran瀀ois Couperin split his time between various freelance activities, including regular duties as organist at the church of Saint-Gervais in Paris and quite possibly the court of the exiled Stuart King at Saint Germaine en Laye. Plus - a look at the composer's second book of harpsichord pieces, in the company of Couperin authority, Olivier Baumont, who plays some examples on an original 17th century harpsichord, part of The Cobbe Collection of Keyboard Instruments, at Hatchlands Park in Surrey.

Donald Macleod on Couperin's activities after the death of Louis XIV and harpsichord work.

201204The Former Teacher And Master Of Composition20120112At the court of Louis XVth, Fran瀀ois Couperin continued to give music lessons to various members of the Royal family and in 1722, the year the royal court moved back to the Palace at Versailles, he produced his third book of harpsichord pieces, reflecting quite a different side to his character. Donald Macleod is joined by Olivier Baumont, who plays some examples from the third book on an original seventeenth century harpischord, part of the Cobbe Collection of Keyboard Instruments.

Donald Macleod introduces music from Couperin's third book of harpsichord pieces.

201205 LASTThe Elusive M Couperin20120113The melancholy which seems to have descended on Fran瀀ois Couperin over the last twenty years of his life, is reflected in his brilliant fourth book of harpsichord pieces. Donald Macleod and Olivier Baumont, who plays three contrasting portraits of the musician, attempt to draw a picture of this elusive yet brilliant figure of the French baroque, with examples from Couperin's final publication, specially recorded on a 17th century harpsichord, part of the Cobbe Collection of keyboard instruments, at Hatchlands Park in Surrey.

Donald Macleod dicusses Couperin's fourth book of harpsichord pieces.

2018Couperin And The Church Of St Gervais20181107Donald Macleod explores Francois Couperin's enduring loyalty to his family church.

Donald Macleod marks 350 years since the birth of Francois Couperin, one of France's most dazzling musical talents. His illustrious rise to fame began with his appointment as organist at St Gervais in Paris while he was still a teenager, and he went on to serve as a composer and harpsichordist at court of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Known to his contemporaries as ‘Couperin Le Grand', he is recognised today as the most important French composer of his generation.

The Couperin family were intimately connected to the Church of St Gervais in Paris. When Francois was made organist there, he succeeded his father, Charles, who in turn had inherited the post from his elder brother, Louis. Charles had died when Francois was aged only ten. He and his mother were allowed to stay on in the organist's house rent free, while he trained to take over his father's position.

Couperin maintained his connection with St Gervais throughout his glittering career at court. He provided a number of works for liturgical use, including organ Masses which were his first works to be published during his lifetime. Donald also features excerpts from Couperin's Tenebrae Lessons, considered pinnacle of his sacred writing. These solemn choral pieces would be performed in services on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Holy Week, while candles lighting the church were gradually extinguished.

Domine salvum fac regem

Jill Feldman, soprano

Gregory Reinhart, baritone

Jaap Ter Linden, bass viol

Davitt Moroney, organ

Messe pour les couvents (Gloria)

Marie-Claire Alain, organ

Troisieme Lecon

Judith Nelson, soprano

Emma Kirkby, soprano

Jane Ryan, viola da gamba

Christopher Hogwood, chamber organ

Les Nations (La Francois)

The Purcell Quartet

Producer Luke Whitlock for BBC Wales

2018Couperin At The Court Of The Sun King20181108Francois Couperin's time at the court of Louis XIV.

Donald Macleod marks 350 years since the birth of Francois Couperin, one of France's most dazzling musical talents. His illustrious rise to fame began with his appointment as organist at St Gervais in Paris while he was still a teenager, and he went on to serve as a composer and harpsichordist at court of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Known to his contemporaries as ‘Couperin Le Grand', he is recognised today as the most important French composer of his generation.

Francois Couperin was auditioned for the job of organist to France's Chapel Royal by Louise XIV himself. The Sun King had a keen passion for music and took a great interest in his court musician. After a matter of months Couperin was also appointed as harpsichord instructor to Les Enfants de France, the sons of the King. Teaching was an integral part of Francois Couperin's career and in 1713 he published a set of harpsichord pieces called L'Art de Toucher le Clavecin, works specifically composed for use in teaching.

King Louis would attend Mass every day, and Couperin was also responsible for composing new works to be performed in the Versailles Chapel, such as his motet Respice in me. Couperin also composed chamber music for the entertainment of the Cour, and among his work to be performed towards the end of Louis' life, were his Concert Royaux.

Messe pour les paroisses (Agnus Dei)

Marie-Claire Alain, organ

Christopher Rousset, harpsichord

Paul Agnew, tenor

Les Arts Florissants

William Christie, director

Concert Royaux (Premier Concert)

Robert Claire, flute

Janet See, flute

Davitt Moroney, harpsichord

Jaap ter Linden, bass viol

Pieces de violes avec la basse chifree (Deuxieme Suite)

Musica ad Rhenum

Producer Luke Whitlock for BBC Wales

2018Couperin The Portraitist20181105Donald Macleod surveys musical portraits of aristocracy and musicians by Francois Couperin

Donald Macleod marks 350 years since the birth of Francois Couperin, one of France's most dazzling musical talents. His illustrious rise to fame began with his appointment as organist at St Gervais in Paris while he was still a teenager, and he went on to serve as a composer and harpsichordist at court of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Known to his contemporaries as ‘Couperin Le Grand', he is recognised today as the most important French composer of his generation.

Francois Couperin composed a number of musical depictions of his contemporaries and aristocratic patrons. He taught keyboard at the Versailles palace to the Dauphin and six Princes of the Blood. Among his musical portraits of royalty and aristocracy include harpsichord works depicting Madame de Bourbon, and also the Spanish Princess who for a time was the fianc退e of Louis XV.

Couperin also created musical portraits of another nature. Not only did he depict in music the composers Arcangelo Corelli, Jean-Baptiste Lully, and also one of himself, but also composed depictions of the Holy Queen, Mary, and the mythological characters of Ariadne and Bacchus.

Quatrieme livre de Pieces de clavecin, Vingt et unieme ordre (La Couperin)

Christophe Rousset, harpsichord

Salve Regina

Paul Agnew, tenor

Les Arts Florissants

William Christie, director

L'Apotheose de Corelli

English Baroque Soloists

John Eliot Gardiner, director

Second Livre de pieces de clavecin (La Charoloise)

Second Livre de pieces de clavecin (La Princesse de Sens)

Michael Borgstede, harpsichord

Arianne console par Bacchus

Stephane Degout, baritone

Christophe Coin, viol

Laura Monica Pustilnik, lute

Christophe Rousset, harpsichord & director

Producer Luke Whitlock for BBC Wales

Donald Macleod explores musical portraits by Francois Couperin.

2018Couperin, The Fusion Composer20181109Donald Macleod examines how Couperin introduced Italian flavours to his native French style.

Donald Macleod marks 350 years since the birth of Francois Couperin, one of France's most dazzling musical talents. His illustrious rise to fame began with his appointment as organist at St Gervais in Paris while he was still a teenager, and he went on to serve as a composer and harpsichordist at court of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Known to his contemporaries as ‘Couperin Le Grand', he is recognised today as the most important French composer of his generation.

Many of Couperin's contemporaries looked down on the fashionable new musical styles emerging from other countries but Couperin embraced them. The Court of James II was in exile in France and brought with them music from Italy. As early as the 1690s, Francois was exploring Italian possibilities in music and he greatly admired the Trios of Arcangelo Couperin.

In the last decade of his career, Couperin published a collection of works called Les Gouts-Reunis, to bridge the musical divide between the Italian and French styles. He said in the preface that he himself had always admired works of merit without prejudice to the author or their nationality.

Premier livre de Pieces de clavecin, Premier ordre (La Milordine)

Christophe Rousset, harpsichord

Les Nations, Quatrieme Ordre (La Piemontoise)

The Purcell Quartet

Les Gouts-reunis ou Nouveux Concerts (Cinquieme Concert)

Musica Ad Rhenum

Quatrieme livre de Pieces de clavecin, Vingt-troisieme ordre

Producer Luke Whitlock for BBC Wales

Donald Macleod examines the Italian flavours in Couperin's native French style.

2018The Couperin Dynasty20181106Donald Macleod surveys Francois Couperin's musical family tree.

Donald Macleod marks 350 years since the birth of Francois Couperin, one of France's most dazzling musical talents. His illustrious rise to fame began with his appointment as organist at St Gervais in Paris while he was still a teenager, and he went on to serve as a composer and harpsichordist at court of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Known to his contemporaries as ‘Couperin Le Grand', he is recognised today as the most important French composer of his generation.

In today's programme, Donald explores ‘Couperin Le Grand' alongside his many musical relatives. The Couperin family tree was established in the vineyards around Chaumes and nurtured a long line of gifted musicians. Uncle Louis was the first of seven Couperins to serve as organist at St Gervais, including Francois himself and his cousin, Nicolas. Towards the end of his life, Francois's daughter, Marguerite-Antoniette, took over some of her father's harpsichord duties at the royal court. Another cousin, Armand-Louis, became a leading composer of the next generation and father to yet more musical Couperins who maintained the family trade right into the 19th century.

Regina coeli laetare, Alleluia

Jill Feldman, soprano

Isabelle Poulenard, soprano

Jaap Ter Linden, bass viol

Davitt Moroney, organ

Louis Couperin

Five Fantasies

Pange lingua en basse

Jan Willem Jansen, organ

Fran瀀ois Couperin

Quatre versets du motet

Sophie Daneman, soprano

Patricia Petibon, soprano

Les Arts Florissants

William Christie, director

Armand-Louis Couperin

Simphonie de clavecins, in D major

Ton Koopman, harpsichord

Tini Mathot, harpsichord

Premier Livre de pieces de clavecin, premier ordre (La Manon)

Premier Livre de pieces de clavecin, premier ordre (L'Enchanteresse)

Premier Livre de pieces de clavecin, premier ordre (La Fleurie ou la tendre Nanette)

Premier Livre de pieces de clavecin, premier ordre (Les plaisirs de Saint Germain en Laye)

Olivier Baumont, harpsichord

Producer Luke Whitlock for BBC Wales