Couperin, F: Suite 2, for viola da gamba & continuo (Pièces de viole)

François Couperin wrote some of France’s greatest music in the classical style. The Suites for Viola da gamba and Harpsichord are late works, published in 1728, and are perfect examples of his richly expressive style which here draws upon Italian models as well as, perhaps, celebrating another genius of the French school, Marin Marais, who had died in the year the Suites were published. Intense and passionate, the suites offer lyricism and virtuosity, Italian bravura and French richness. The last of Couperin’s harpsichord ordres (or suites) consists of four varied pieces, including Les 8570944 Chinois, an early example of interest in China in Western music.

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.