François Couperin (1668 - 1733)

François Couperin (1668 - 1733) - photo 1

François Couperin

François Couperin was a French composer, organist and harpsichordist.

François Couperin is a member of a large dynasty of French musicians. At the age of 18, François succeeded his father, Charles Couperin (1638-1679), as organist at the Church of Saint-Gervais in Paris, and in 1693 he became one of the four organists of the Chapel Royal. He soon became a harpsichord teacher for the royal children, and in 1717 was appointed court harpsichordist.

François Couperin is known primarily for his harpsichord music; between 1713 and 1730 he published four books of more than 250 pieces for harpsichord. Some of them are characterized by complex accompaniment and dialogues between violin and bass, while others are light, graceful and expressive. Couperin's harpsichord pieces, even during the author's lifetime, gained great fame not only in France but also abroad. Couperin also wrote chamber music, including trio sonatas (for harpsichord and two violins) and "Royal Concertos", which he composed for Sunday evening royal entertainment. He also composed motets and other church music. Couperin's last and most significant liturgical work, Leçons de ténèbres (c. 1715), has no parallel in either French or Italian music of the period. Johann Sebastian Bach knew and appreciated this work by Couperin.

Couperin authored The Art of Touching the Clavier (1716), in which he explained in detail the technique of playing the harpsichord. And in his publications of the early 1720s, he suggested a wide variety of ways of combining French and Italian styles.

Date and place of birt:10 november 1668, Paris, France
Date and place of death:11 september 1733, Paris, France
Period of activity: XVII, XVIII century
Specialization:Composer, Educator, Writer
Art style:Baroque
François Couperin (1668-1733) and others - Auction prices

Auction prices François Couperin

All lots

Creators Baroque

Domenico Fiasella (1589 - 1669)
Domenico Fiasella
1589 - 1669
Gillis Claesz de Hondecoeter (1575 - 1638)
Gillis Claesz de Hondecoeter
1575 - 1638
Luciano Borzone (1590 - 1645)
Luciano Borzone
1590 - 1645
Jean Berain (1640 - 1711)
Jean Berain
1640 - 1711
Bartholomäus Steinle (1580 - 1628)
Bartholomäus Steinle
1580 - 1628
Balthasar Augustin Albrecht (1687 - 1765)
Balthasar Augustin Albrecht
1687 - 1765
Giovanni Carlo Aliberti (1662 - 1727)
Giovanni Carlo Aliberti
1662 - 1727
Johann Gottfried Auerbach (1697 - 1753)
Johann Gottfried Auerbach
1697 - 1753
Simone del Tintore (1630 - 1708)
Simone del Tintore
1630 - 1708
Leonello Spada (1576 - 1622)
Leonello Spada
1576 - 1622
Gregorio Preti (1603 - 1672)
Gregorio Preti
1603 - 1672
Bonaventure de Bar (1700 - 1729)
Bonaventure de Bar
1700 - 1729
Viviano Codazzi (1604 - 1670)
Viviano Codazzi
1604 - 1670
Pietro Paolo Raggi (1646 - 1724)
Pietro Paolo Raggi
1646 - 1724
Giovanni Stanchi (1608 - 1675)
Giovanni Stanchi
1608 - 1675
Francesco Cavazzoni (1559 - 1612)
Francesco Cavazzoni
1559 - 1612