Composer

:

Jean Barrière

Genre

:

Keyboard

Publication Date

:

after 1740

Average_duration

:

3:27

La Duchesne is a collection of six harpsichord sonatas and pieces composed by Jean Barrière, a French composer and cellist, in the early 18th century. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written between 1715 and 1725. The collection was dedicated to Madame de La Duchesne, a French noblewoman and patron of the arts. The premiere of La Duchesne is also unknown, but it was likely performed in the salons of the French aristocracy. The collection was published in Paris in 1733 by Leclerc, a prominent music publisher of the time. The six pieces in La Duchesne are all written for solo harpsichord and are in the traditional sonata da chiesa form, consisting of four movements: slow-fast-slow-fast. The first movement is typically in a binary form, while the second and fourth movements are in a ternary form. The third movement is usually a slow and expressive piece. The characteristics of La Duchesne are typical of Baroque music, with its emphasis on ornamentation, counterpoint, and harmonic complexity. The pieces are written in a variety of keys, with some movements featuring virtuosic passages and others showcasing the harpsichord's ability to create delicate and intricate textures. Overall, La Duchesne is a significant contribution to the repertoire of Baroque harpsichord music and demonstrates Barrière's skill as a composer. Its popularity has endured over the centuries, and it remains a beloved collection among harpsichordists and Baroque music enthusiasts.

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