François Couperin’s Versailles Suite is a work with four contrasting movements: Giocoso, Sostenuto, Allegro and Comodo.

The Couperin family’s influence extended over five generations and was as important to French music as the Bachs’ to German music. François 1668-1733 (known as ‘le Grand’) was, like his father, organist of St. Gervais and in 1693 became organist to the King at Versailles.

He excelled as a composer of keyboard music and produced an instruction book L’Art de Toucher le Clavecin, which is valuable for the light it throws on contemporary practice in harpsichord playing.

J. S. Bach knew and admired François Couperin’s music and the two did correspond. Alas, the letters disappeared when, (according to an article in Grove) they were used as lids for jampots!

Previously published by Spartan Press
Former catalogue number SP1115