Couperin: The Sphere of Intimacy

François Couperin's early publications include a number of airs serieux, as well as several short pieces that were included in the collection of Pièces choisies pour le clavecin published by Ballard in 1707. Here Christophe Rousset and Cyrille Dubois reveal little-known aspects of the art of François Couperin. Some of these pieces testify to the composer's taste for music in the Italian style, which is also evident in his sonatas, which include not only the famous La Steinkerque, but also La Superbe and La Sultane, in which Rousset conducts Les Talens Lyriques. The program also presents a hitherto uncataloged drinking song, Souvent dans le plus doux sort, the only known autograph piece so far discovered.