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