Musical Notes

Francois Couperin - Le Grand (the great) 1688-1733

The Couperins were a family of  musicians of note for 200 years   They were primarily harpsichordists.  One of the line was Francois Couperin who became harpsichord teacher to the royal children.  He published 254 harpsichord pieces, instrumental chamber music, and was included in the long line (153 years) of Couperins who were the organists at the Church of Saint Gervais, Paris..  Of his organ compositions, only two small collections have survived the ravages of history.  Both were  published when Couperin was only 21 years old. The first and most notable are pieces from the "Solemn Mass for Parish Use" that consists of eight liturgical organ pieces, although the last "Offertoire" consists of three movements, each of which can stand alone.  The second is "Mass for the Convents" which consists of 21 short liturgical pieces.  The registrations for the classical French organ are suggested by Couperin, often in the title of the piece.  Unfortunately, the sounds of the classical French organ with its many mutations and mixtures unencumbered by swell shutters is generally not reproduced by "romantic" organs, but is slowly being reintroduced by some by some modern organ builders.