François Couperin

The most gifted of the Couperin family, François, was born (10 November 1668) and died (11 September 1733) in Paris. He contributed much to music in the court of Louis XIV, both with composition and performance. His published collections left a strong impression of mastery, especially to Bach.

A selection of articles about François Couperin

Spotlight. Interconnected Composers - Geoff Pearce listens to orchestral music by Ravel, Lennox Berkeley and Adam Pounds. 'The Pounds work is a revelation and I would buy this disc just for this alone.'

CD Spotlight. Plenty of Spanish Sunshine - Spanish music of a bygone era, reviewed by Paul Sarcich. '... poised playing and excellent interweaving of the various wind sounds.'

Ensemble. Virtuoso Exuberance - Mike Wheeler listens to the Pelléas Ensemble at the Buxton Festival

Classical music news. Obituary - Alexander Maykapar (1946-2021)

CD Spotlight. Strauss from the Antipodes - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews rarely-heard François Couperin orchestral transcriptions by Richard Strauss. '... good rendering by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra under Jun Märkl ...'

CD Spotlight. The Sweetness of Life - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to harpsichord music by François Couperin. '... the key note is B flat major which at the time was an experimental, almost avant-garde tonality. Jory Vinikour shows it very well and demonstrates how Couperin was ahead of many other harpsichordists.'

CD Spotlight. Absolutely Gorgeous - Harpsichord music by François Couperin, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... Bertrand Cuiller gives magical renditions of a number of Ordres, displaying with vigorous energy all the colour of sounds, alliterations, double meanings and parodies that these works encapsulate ...'

CD Spotlight. Splice the Mainbrace - Red Priest's 'Pirates of the Baroque', heard by the late Howard Smith. 'The foursome are outrageous, hugely entertaining, and Red Priest take no prisoners.'

CD Spotlight. Consummate Skill - William Christie's Les Arts Florissants, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... each piece comes to life with inimitable charm and grace.'

CD Spotlight. Filched Solo Repertoire - J S Bach and contemporaries on the double bass, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'These New York performers bring a welcome change ...'

CD Spotlight. An Enriching Experience - The Repast Baroque Ensemble, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... delectable performances ...'

CD Spotlight. Profoundly Eloquent - Couperin's Lamentations, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Robert King and his superb forces give absorbingly committed performances ...'

CD Spotlight. Entertaining Tricks - Couperin's 'Apothéoses', heard by Robert Anderson. '... a stylish account of the music ...'

Ensemble. To the Glory of God - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the Sagra Musicale Umbra, celebrating old and new continents

Ensemble. Sparks Really Flew - Mike Wheeler listens to the Denner Ensemble

CD Spotlight. Splendidly Performed - Baroque music for cello, recommended by Howard Smith. 'An exemplary CD ...'

An Interesting Programme - An organ recital by Martin Neary, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

CD Spotlight. Musical riches - A new recording of François Couperin's complete works for harpsichord, appreciated by Rex Harley. '... formidable technique and the deftest of touches.'

In the presence of greatness - David Thompson is impressed by Angela Hewitt's playing of Bach, Couperin and Ravel at London's South Bank International Piano Series

CD Spotlight. Couperin sorted - The 'Pièces de Clavecin', played in order of progressive difficulty, investigated by Ron Bierman. '... valuable for piano students.'