Composer

:

François Couperin

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Collection

Publication Date

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1722

Average_duration

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152:46

François Couperin's 'Troisième livre des pièces de clavecin' is a collection of harpsichord pieces that was composed in 1722. The premiere of the work is not known, but it was published in Paris in the same year. The collection consists of 27 pieces, divided into three suites, each with its own character and style. The first suite, titled 'La Couperin', is characterized by its lively and playful nature. It consists of six pieces, including a prelude, allemande, courante, sarabande, and two minuets. The second suite, titled 'La Favorite', is more introspective and melancholic. It consists of eight pieces, including a prelude, allemande, courante, sarabande, and four other pieces with various titles. The third and final suite, titled 'La Triomphante', is the most virtuosic and grandiose of the three. It consists of thirteen pieces, including a prelude, allemande, courante, sarabande, and several other pieces with titles such as 'Les petits moulins à vent' and 'Les barricades mystérieuses'. One of the most notable characteristics of Couperin's 'Troisième livre des pièces de clavecin' is its use of ornamentation. Couperin was known for his skill in ornamentation, and this collection showcases his mastery of the technique. The pieces are filled with trills, mordents, and other embellishments that add depth and complexity to the music. Another characteristic of the collection is its use of dance forms. Each suite consists of traditional dance forms such as allemandes, courantes, and sarabandes, but Couperin also includes pieces with more unusual titles, such as 'Les petits moulins à vent' (The Little Windmills) and 'Les barricades mystérieuses' (The Mysterious Barricades). These pieces are not dances in the traditional sense, but they still have a rhythmic and melodic structure that is reminiscent of dance music. Overall, François Couperin's 'Troisième livre des pièces de clavecin' is a masterful collection of harpsichord pieces that showcases the composer's skill in ornamentation and his ability to create music that is both playful and introspective. Its use of dance forms and unusual titles adds to its charm and makes it a unique and memorable work in the harpsichord repertoire.

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