Louis COUPERIN
Organ works (Fantaisies etc)
Jan Willem Jansen
Virgin Veritas VM5
61775 2 9 [56.53]
Crotchet
Uncle of the more famous Francois, Louis Couperin (c.1626-61) was
persuaded to study music seriously by Chambonnieres and despite his early
death he achieved a high reputation, although he never got round to publishing
his body of some 200 keyboard works. They were retrieved and authenticated
by Guy Oldham and further research may possibly confirm Louis Couperin as
one of the greatest organ composers of the period. His fugues and fantasies
are inventive, 'with unexpected subjects, gaily capering or quietly dreaming,
harsh dissonance for expressive power, and daring suspensions'.
These 30 pieces, recorded in 1993, are continually absorbing as played here
on the same historic organ of Saint-Michel at Thierarche as for the
Clerambault
release in the same series. It is perhaps rather a specialist's
collection, but (taken a few at a time) the music should give pleasure to
a wider listening public, and there are some delicious stops on this early
18.C instrument. The full specification of the organ is included.
Peter Grahame Woolf
