François Couperin

Baroque French Composer and Organist

François Couperin, often referred to as François Couperin le Grand (the Great) to distinguish him from other members of the musically talented Couperin family, was a French Baroque composer, organist, and harpsichordist born on November 10, 1668, in Paris. He was one of the most renowned composers of his time and served as the organist at the Church of Saint-Gervais in Paris and later as the court organist for Louis XIV. Couperin's musical legacy includes four volumes of harpsichord music that encompass suites called "ordres" in French. His work was characterized by a unique blend of French and Italian musical traditions, and he is particularly known for his chamber music. Although he did not produce albums in the modern sense, as he lived in the 17th and 18th centuries (long before recorded music), his compositions have been posthumously recorded and performed by many artists over the years. Works such as "Le Tombeau de Couperin" are actually compositions by Maurice Ravel that pay homage to Couperin's style and influence. "Les Apothéoses" are two of Couperin's own compositions that celebrate the apotheosis of Lully and Corelli. The title "À la Maniere De..." does not correspond to a known work by François Couperin; it may refer to works by other composers or performers inspired by his style.