Description
This is the first prelude from Couperin's 1716 keyboard treatise "L'Art de toucher le clavecin." It illustrates the improvisatory, introductory style typical of harpsichord preludes of the time, weaving ornaments and free arpeggio-like figures into its 48 seconds and 164 notes. It offers a taste of the flowing character of French Baroque keyboard writing.
A keyboard-playing method Couperin published in 1716, combining technical instruction with eight improvisatory preludes.
Sheet Music
Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project
About the Composer
François Couperin (1668-1733)
Francois Couperin was a leading French Baroque composer from the musical Couperin family, known as "Couperin le Grand." Serving as a court musician to Louis XIV, he composed a wealth of elegant, richly ornamented harpsichord music. His treatise L'Art de toucher le clavecin is also a valuable record of period performance practice. This site features four preludes drawn from that collection.
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