Like the Bach family, the Couperins were a musical dynasty. Louis – the uncle of François ‘le Grand’ had established himself as organist of St Gervais by the mid-1650s and entering royal service shortly after as ‘chamber musician’ on the treble viol. He went on to become one of the most original and individual keyboard composers in France. Despite a short carrier – he died early in 1661 at the age of just thirty-five – he left more than 120 harpsichord pieces and 70 works for organ – most of them discovered in the 60’s – which highlight his refined genius of colour and counterpoint.
– Disc 1 –
1 Invitatoire de la Feste-Dieu
2 Fantaisie 1
3 Fantaisie 2
4 Fantaisie 3
5 Fantaisie 4
6 Fantaisie 5
7 Pange Lingua en Basse [À 4]8 Pange Lingua [À 3]9 Pange Lingua [À 3]10 Simphonie
11 Fantaisie [Récit de Basse]12 Fantaisie Pour Les Violes
13 Fantaisie de Violes
14 Ave Maris Stella [En Basse, À 4]15 Ave Maris Stella [À 3]16 Fantaisie [Récit de Basse]17 Simphonie
18 Ut Queant Laxis [À 3]19 Ut Queant Laxis [À 3]20 Fantaisie À Paris Au Mois de Décembre 1656
21 Duo
22 Regina Caeli
23 Simphonie
24 Fantaisie [Récit de Basse]25 Fantaisie [Récit de Basse]26 Couperin: Fantaisies
27 Fantaisie Sur Le Cromorne
28 Fantaisie Sur la 3Ce Du Grand Clavier Avec Le Tremblant Lent
29 Fantaisies
30 Iste Confessor
– Disc 2 –
1 Suite in D minor: I. Prélude
2 Suite in D minor: II. Allemande
3 Suite in D minor: III. Courante
4 Suite in D minor: IV. Sarabande
5 Suite in D minor: V. Gigue
6 Suite in D minor: VI. La Pastourelle
7 Suite in D minor: VII. Chaconne
8 Pavane in F-Sharp minor
9 Suite in F Major: I. Prélude
10 Suite in F Major: II. Allemande Grave
11 Suite in F Major: III. Courante
12 Suite in F Major: IV. Sarabande
13 Suite in F Major: V. Branle de Basque
14 Suite in F Major: VI. Gigue
15 Suite in F Major: VII. Gaillarde
16 Suite in F Major: VIII. Chaconne
17 Suite in F Major: IX. Tombeau de Monsieur de Blancrocher
18 Passacaille in C Major
19 Suite in G minor: I. Prélude
20 Suite in G minor: II. Allemande
21 Suite in G minor: III. Courante
22 Suite in G minor: IV. Sarabande
23 Suite in G minor: V. Passacaille
24 Suite in G minor: VI. Chaconne