The Elusive M Couperin
Donald Macleod considers how Couperin's fourth book of harpsichord pieces reveals a different side to his character.
The melancholy which seems to have descended on François Couperin over the last twenty years of his life, is reflected in his brilliant fourth book of harpsichord pieces. Donald Macleod and Olivier Baumont, who plays three contrasting portraits of the musician, attempt to draw a picture of this elusive yet brilliant figure of the French baroque, with examples from Couperin's final publication, specially recorded on a 17th century harpsichord, part of the Cobbe Collection of keyboard instruments, at Hatchlands Park in Surrey.
Last on
More episodes
Next
You are at the last episode
Music Played
![]()
François Couperin
La Couperin
Performer: (Quatrième livre de Pièces de clavecin)
- (Olivier Baumont (harpsichord).
![]()
François Couperin
Les ombres errantes
Performer: (Quatrième livre de Pièces de clavecin)
- (Olivier Baumont (harpsichord).
![]()
François Couperin
La chemise blanche (Second suite for Viols)
Performer: Jordi Savall (bass viol) Performer: Ton Koopman (harpsichord) Performer: Ariane Maurette (bass viol)
- Astree E7744.
- 11.
![]()
François Couperin
Le Parnasse ou L'apothéose de Corelli
Performer: English Baroque Soloists Performer: John Eliot Gardiner (conductor)
- Musifrance 2292 45011-2.
- 1 to 6.
![]()
Nicolas d'Agincourt
La Couperin in E minor
Performer: Olivier Baumont (harpsichord)
- BBC recording.
![]()
Antoine Forqueray
La Couperin in D minor
Performer: Olivier Baumont (harpsichord)
- BBC recording.
![]()
François Couperin
Troisième Leçon de Ténèbres Pour Le Mercredi Saint à Deux Voix
Performer: Johanette Zomer (soprano ) Performer: Anne Grimm (soprano) Performer: La sfera Armoniosa
- Channel Classics CCS SA 20306.
- 5.
Broadcasts
- Fri 13 Jan 201212:00BBC Radio 3
- Fri 13 Jan 201218:30BBC Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.
