Christophe Rousset plays Louis Couperin

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Rousset combines meticulous fingerwork and attention to the music's intricacies with rhetorical gestures, balletic energy and a dramatic flair informed by his long experience directing French... — BBC Music Magazine, October 2010, 5 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 26th Jul 2010
Catalogue No: AP006
Label: Aparté
Length: 1 hour 48 minutes

BBC Music Magazine Awards

2011

Instrumental Finalist
BBC Music Magazine

October 2010

Instrumental Choice
Diapason d’Or de l’Année

2010

Winner - Musique Contemporaine

Couperin, L: Suite en fa majeur

Work length23:20

$9.20

$11.50

Prélude

Track length2:38

$1.00

$1.25

Allemande grave

Track length2:55

$1.00

$1.25

Courante

Track length1:02

$1.00

$1.25

Sarabande

Track length2:12

$1.00

$1.25

Branle de Basque

Track length0:34

$1.00

$1.25

Gigue

Track length1:26

$1.00

$1.25

Gaillarde

Track length1:39

$1.00

$1.25

Chaconne

Track length2:46

$1.00

$1.25

Tombeau de M. de Blancrocher

Track length8:08

$1.20

$1.50

Couperin, L: Suite en sol mineur

Work length16:29

$5.00

$6.25

Prélude

Track length3:39

$1.00

$1.25

Allemande

Track length4:24

$1.00

$1.25

Courante

Track length1:29

$1.00

$1.25

Sarabande

Track length2:18

$1.00

$1.25

Passacaille

Track length4:39

$1.00

$1.25

Couperin, L: Suite en do majeur

Work length12:44

$5.00

$6.25

Prélude

Track length1:46

$1.00

$1.25

Allemande

Track length2:06

$1.00

$1.25

Courante

Track length1:24

$1.00

$1.25

Sarabande

Track length2:15

$1.00

$1.25

Passacaille

Track length5:13

$1.00

$1.25

Couperin, L: Suite en do mineur

Work length12:11

$6.00

$7.50

Prélude

Track length1:11

$1.00

$1.25

Allemande la précieuse

Track length2:51

$1.00

$1.25

Courante

Track length1:42

$1.00

$1.25

Sarabande

Track length2:44

$1.00

$1.25

Gigue

Track length1:43

$1.00

$1.25

Chaconne la Bergeronnette

Track length2:00

$1.00

$1.25

Couperin, L: Suite en ré mineur

Work length19:05

$8.00

$10.00

Prélude

Track length5:31

$1.00

$1.25

Allemande

Track length3:21

$1.00

$1.25

Courante

Track length1:14

$1.00

$1.25

Sarabande

Track length3:46

$1.00

$1.25

Canaries

Track length0:58

$1.00

$1.25

Volte

Track length0:44

$1.00

$1.25

La Pastourelle

Track length0:48

$1.00

$1.25

Chaconne

Track length2:43

$1.00

$1.25

Couperin, L: Suite en la mineur

Work length15:30

$5.00

$6.25

Prélude à l'imitation de Mr Froberger

Track length6:18

$1.00

$1.25

Allemande l'amiable

Track length3:02

$1.00

$1.25

Courante La Mignone

Track length1:19

$1.00

$1.25

Sarabande

Track length3:18

$1.00

$1.25

La Piémontoise

Track length1:33

$1.00

$1.25

Couperin, L: Pavanne en fa dièse mineur

Work length8:46

$1.20

$1.50

About
Reviews
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About

Christophe Rousset is one of the most brilliant harpsichordists of his generation, whose recordings have been hailed by the international press, including those of François Couperin for harmonia mundi. This is the first time he has recorded works by Louis Couperin. He preferred not to record the complete works, as he explains:

“For this recording, we have selected the very finest pieces by Louis Couperin. We ruled out the idea of performing all the pieces - that has already been done by some of our eminent colleagues. We did not want to have three Courantes in succession or a Chaconne and a Passacaille following each other in the same key, nor for the suites to be unnecessarily long, and lacking the coherence and pertinence that the form requires. Although the material available would have enabled us to put together several suites, we decided to present just one suite in F or in A. And generally we have followed the order of Parville rather than of Bauyn. Thus, I believe, the listener will be able to apprehend Louis Couperin at his most expressive, in the richness of his harmonies and rhetoric, and in the subtle contrasts that make him one of the most amazing precursors not only of his nephew François Couperin, le grand, but also of Jean-Baptiste Lully.”

Reviews

October 2010

Rousset combines meticulous fingerwork and attention to the music's intricacies with rhetorical gestures, balletic energy and a dramatic flair informed by his long experience directing French Baroque opera and ballet. This is playing of subtlety and refinement that underscores the meditative qualities of Couperin's persona.

22nd August 2010

Rousset, playing a restored 1658 Louis Denis instrument, goes to great lengths to clarify the elaborate decorations

October 2010

Overall, Rousset, without lacking the least gravity and poise, tends to be fleeter and zestier than his competition, surpassing all especially in the excitement of his 'chaconnes' and 'passacailles'. It is clear from this recording that Couperin's particular qualities make him a perfect subject for the fiery, rather showy and yet reflective Rousset. Highly recommended.

15th July 2010

His playing has a kind of courtly correctness, more rhythmically precise and less free-spirited than some interpreters of the keyboard music of the French baroque, but with an airy grave of its own. They are beautifully realised discs.

22nd August 2010

In this often introspective music by Louis Couperin, uncle of the famous François, Rousset's depth of expressivity and rhythmic confidence are as impressive as the brilliance of his articulation...Highlights include the bravura C-minor Gigue, and the sombre Tombeau and Pavane.

Christophe Rousset plays Louis Couperin

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