François Couperin

Synopsis

Francois Couperin (1668-1733), was a renowned French composer, harpsichordist and organist. His earliest training was under his father, Charles. Francois Couperin also studied with Jacques-Denis Thomelin, organist du roi (of the King). Couperin became organist at St. Gervais, Paris in 1685­a post he held until his death. Couperin was a highly influential composer. He introduced the Italian trio sonata to France, a musical form he borrowed from the great composer Corelli. He made use of many significant baroque compositional techniques such as the basso continuo, in which the upper (melody) and bass voices are most important. His works reflect the gallant style of ornamentation which he explains in his book, L' Art der toucher le clavecin (The Art of Playing the Keyboard). This book on keyboard fingering and touch achieved a high degree of popularity and strongly influenced J.S. Bach.

• François came from a family of musicians. His stature within this family is reflected in the title by which he is now known ­Couperin le Grand.
• He succeeded his teacher, Thomelin, as organist of Louis the XIV in 1693. Every Sunday he would perform private concerts for the King.
• He married Marie-Anne Ansault on April 26, 1689. They were the parents of two sons and two daughters, one of which became the first female clavenist to the King.

For details, see the François Couperin article on Wikipedia.

List of Organ Works

Click to sort by opus number, title, or year of composition or publication

Opus	Title	Year
Op. ??	Mass for the Convents	year
Op. ??	Mass for the Parishes	year
Op. ??	Title	year
Op. ??	Title	year
Op. ??	Title	year
Op. ??	Title	year
Op. ??	Title	year

Background and General Perspectives on Performing François Couperin Organ Works

Replace this text with any general perspectives that do not fit under the categories listed below. (For comments on a specific piece or genre, use the list of pieces above to navigate to that page.)

Registration and Organs

Replace this text with information on registration and organs that might be applicable to the whole set of pieces

See the footnote in the "Notes" section at the bottom of the page

Fingering and Pedaling

Replace this text with information on fingering and pedaling that might be applicable to the whole set of pieces

Articulation and Phrasing

Replace this text with information on articulation and phrasing that might be applicable to the whole set of pieces

Ornamentation

Replace this text with information on ornamentation that might be applicable to the whole set of pieces

Tempo and Meter

Replace this text with information on tempo and meter that might be applicable to the whole set of pieces

Scores and Editions

Replace this text with information on scores and editions that might be applicable to the whole set of pieces

Recordings

Replace this text with information on recordings

Free Online

François Couperin. Messe des paroisses, performed by Robert Descombes

François Couperin. Messe pour les couvents, performed by Robert Descombes

Pay to Listen

Replace this text with information on online recordings that are available for a fee

Other Resources

Replace this text with information on other resources that might be pertinent to performing these pieces

Notes

This space is for automatic insertion of footnotes. To enter a footnote from anywhere in the article, start by typing the tag <ref> and then enter the text, and type the tag </ref> to end the footnote. The footnote will then appear in this "Notes" section automatically.