Couperin: Barricades Mystérieuses, Pièces de Clavecin

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
As the foremost representative of one of the most illustrious musical dynasties in history, François Couperin achieved distinction in every contemporary genre except opera. But it was in his pieces for the harpsichord that he revealed his personality -- La Couperin, from the 21st Ordre, is a witty self-portrait (marked "with moderate vivacity"!). Couperin also showed in his four Livres de Clavecin in 27 Ordres that he was interested in every aspect of his times, from the great personages at court whom he frequented as music master to the royal family (Les Lis Naissans, an evocation for the twelve-year-old Louis XV) to the delights of childhood (Les Petits Ages), not to mention satire of the parochial quarrels of musicians (Les Fastes de la Grande et Ancienne Ménéstrandise) and the taste for pastoral (Les Bergeries). Even when the hidden meanings of those intriguing titles escapes us (what are the beguiling Baricades Mistérieuses or the Tic-Toc-Choc?), or when abstract music claims its share of attention, as in the majestic Passacaille, we are as fascinated as ever by this kaleidoscope of colors and styles. "I should never have thought my Pieces would achieve immortality," wrote the composer in the preface to his Third Book. But that is precisely what has happened.

Tracks:

Hooked On Baroque 2
Hooked On Adagio
Hooked On Gigue
Hooked On Fugue
Hooked On Handel
Hooked On Vivaldi
Hooked On Scarlatti
Hooked On Baroque 2 (Reprise)

Customer Reviews:

Pretty Damn Good.......2004-07-06

I received as a gift the box set of all four Hooked On Classics CD's. As an avid fan of classical music, I was quite shocked to hear DRUMS in the background! I didn't really know what the Hooked On Classics series was, so I didn't know what to expect. As such, I eventually got used to the percussion, and found that I liked the fourth CD the best of all of them. The drums are more tolerable, and the recording quality is much improved over the other volumes. The playing is superb; on par with any legitimate recording made by any professional orchestra. The selections are diverse, and the arrangements are refreshing. HOC 4 was my link to many of the full-length versions of the excerpts featured, and I especially like the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th, and 8th tracks (the 8th track is simply an extended version of the 1st, which makes it a much better rendition). The harpsichord playing in the 7th track is outstanding, as are the arrangements for this track. The climax will give you chills. All in all, an excellent album. I give it four stars only because as a die-hard purist, I don't suppose Bach and Vivaldi and Scarlatti would be too happy if they were to hear percussion along with their music. It would be interesting to see what the tracks would sound like without this.

Great CD, specially the adagio........2004-01-28

I love this CD in particular, because it introduced me to various greatest hits of baroque. I used it to practice my music as a teenager. I recommed this to you, specially if you have kids, because the drum sounds, make it easier to listen to the new generations. I loved the Pachelbel, and the adagio part is Super Excellent.

It's No Louis Clark & the Royal Philharmonic... But it's ok.......2003-12-07

Back in 81 when I got the original Hooked on Classics record as a gift (which I still have), I discovered the beauty and power of classical music in a different way. Now, classical music makes up 1/3 of my music library because of that compilation of classics (thanks to Louis Clark and the Royal Philharmonic).

So would I say this volume 4 has the same effect? I'd answer no, but I did like tracks 2 & 7.

No So Great.......2003-10-29

Once again another pathetic attempt at recreating what Louis Clark did with the original Hooked on the Classics. He succeeded by getting many of us hooked to the classics...something this album probably can't and won't do.

Couperin: Barricades Mystérieuses, Pièces de Clavecin

Average customer rating:

A Wonderful CD
MAJESTIQUE

Couperin: Barricades Mystérieuses, Pièces de Clavecin

Manufacturer: Astree
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

François Couperin: Keyboard Music, Vol. 2
Couperin: Pièces de clavecin
François Couperin: Les Concerts Royaux
Rameau: Harpsichord Music (Complete), Vol. 2
François Couperin: Keyboard Music, Vol. 3

ASIN: B00008PW55
Release Date: 2003-11-18

Album Description

As the foremost representative of one of the most illustrious musical dynasties in history, François Couperin achieved distinction in every contemporary genre except opera. But it was in his pieces for the harpsichord that he revealed his personality -- La Couperin, from the 21st Ordre, is a witty self-portrait (marked "with moderate vivacity"!). Couperin also showed in his four Livres de Clavecin in 27 Ordres that he was interested in every aspect of his times, from the great personages at court whom he frequented as music master to the royal family (Les Lis Naissans, an evocation for the twelve-year-old Louis XV) to the delights of childhood (Les Petits Ages), not to mention satire of the parochial quarrels of musicians (Les Fastes de la Grande et Ancienne Ménéstrandise) and the taste for pastoral (Les Bergeries). Even when the hidden meanings of those intriguing titles escapes us (what are the beguiling Baricades Mistérieuses or the Tic-Toc-Choc?), or when abstract music claims its share of attention, as in the majestic Passacaille, we are as fascinated as ever by this kaleidoscope of colors and styles. "I should never have thought my Pieces would achieve immortality," wrote the composer in the preface to his Third Book. But that is precisely what has happened.

Customer Reviews:

A Wonderful CD.......2005-08-21

A wonderful CD once you turn down the volume. It is right up there at the top of my favorite harpsicord records list with Hantai's Goldbergs and Scarlatti Sonatas. Endlessly fascinating music and oh, so French!

MAJESTIQUE.......2004-05-28

Two things I had to adapt to on this recording were first the amount of rhythmic inflection that Mme Verlet deploys, particularly in Barricades itself, and second the powerful tone of the three harpsichords used -- I find I need a fairly low volume-setting. Two and maybe all three of these are contemporary with the composer, depending on whether the French means that the Porteous instrument used in Barricades and Bergeries, or only the instrument it is modelled on, is from the late 17th century, so the effect must be authentic. Having once adapted, I am enjoying this recital more and more. The pieces are delightful and the playing reminds me more of Landowska than of some other harpsichordists I know. There is plenty of variety and colour in the registration once I had got used to the heavyweight instruments, but it is never flash in the manner of Malcolm (not that I mind that in the least). What I do protest about is the liner notes which are a right old load of air chaud, strictly le guff. A disc of this distinction deserves serious and informative comment. I shall have to look for this elsewhere, but I can forgive the liner because of the beautiful Vermeer on the front of the disc as issued in Europe.

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