A Musical Treat

This is a wonderful collection of Francois Couperin's keyboard music, co-edited by Brahms in the 1880s and republished by Dover in the characteristically attractive format and low price that are that publisher's hallmark. It includes a piece I've loved and wanted to learn ever since I first heard it, perhaps 20 years ago, on a fine 1970's recording of baroque harpsichord music by Sylvia Marlowe on Sine Qua Non. Les Baricades Misterieuses (the preface notes that Couperin's titles were "often eccentric and quaint) is a beautiful, warm, mellow meditation on cycles of fifths and other piquant chord changes B flat. But the volume is a rich compendium with much else in the way of interesting, varied, lovely short pieces.

François Couperin !

François Couperin is one of Frenchs best baroque composer. He is not widly known, but his music is one of the most expressive in that era. This edition contains all the orders from Couperins first too "books" plus the first order of the third "book". Of all the pieces, I think I can quote "Les baricades misterieuses" (the misterious barricades), of the sixth order, which is one of the most popular and enchanting pieces Couperin ever composed.

In conclusion, Dover reached it's goal by offering musicians the best music at the lowest price possible in a fairly good edition.