Couperin, F: Concert No. 1 (Concert Royal) in G major

These pieces were long thought to have been lost without trace, and yet, unnoticed by anyone, a copy had been gathering dust on the shelves of the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris, with only the initials F.C. to identify.

Charles Bouvet has told the story of what induced him to take a closer look at this copy and why he was convinced (on the strength of both, internal and external evidence) that this was indeed the famous collection.

These are masterpieces, fully worthy to be mentioned in the same breath as the fourth book of pieces for harpsichord, of 1730, and some of the most beautiful moments in all Couperin's works, performed by two of the finest exponents of Baroque style: Philippe Pierlot and Pierre Hantaï.

Couperin was employed by Louis XIV and after the king died, the composer had time to organise the publication of his works. In 1722 he published “Concerts royaux” and in 1724, “Les Goûts réunis ou Nouveaux Concerts”. Compositions from these publications are performed by Thomas Indermühle, Henk de Wit and Ursula Dütschler.

Barthold Kuijken (b. 1949) studied flute and recorder at the Royal Conservatories of Brussels and The Hague. As member of the Collegium Aureum and later of La Petite Bande he gained experience with repertoire ranging from Baroque to early Romanticism. He often joins in concerts with his brothers Sigiswald and Wieland and harpsichordists Robert Kohnen and Gustav Leonhardt, He teaches at the Royal Conservatories of Brussels and The Hague.

A performance by a master of his craft, playing pieces by Bach, Telemann, Schubert, Mozart and Couperin.

The Court of the Sun King is a 10CD set celebrating both the glories of the French Baroque and the glories of the Erato catalogue. For over half a century Erato has led the way in bringing this period of music out of libraries to the wider world of listeners. Many of their classic recordings from the 1960s and 70s, featuring French musicians and ensembles such as Jean-François Paillard, Louis Martini and Marie-Claire Alain, are now brought together for the first time. From grand sacred works by Charpentier to vivid theatrical pieces by Lully to intimate sonatas by Boismortier, The Court of the Sun King takes in the gamut of musical life in this period of exceptional cultural richness.