Soeur Monique by François Couperin

[atree3]

The playing is very musical, I wonder why you don't apply the same musicality to the execution of the ornaments. Those first two ornaments for example. They come so often and, to my ear, they are always played identically. I would like to hear more variety, without, of course, changing the ornament, just varying the way in which you play them, their speed, the number of iterations, etc.

(Too many years of teaching, I just can't resist, please forgive me.)

[tormus1]

The recording is not the best. I have moved from using my poor sound digital camera on film mode to using a mini disc player and by making a collage of photos. I assure you that my harpsichord sounds very much like a Flemish double in the flesh!

[ArcanaMundi81]

I have this piece played by Landowska!

[bach4274]

Your room is gloomy, but matches beautiful music.

[tormus1]

Other clips show the room in different lighting.

[FenderStratoccaster]

Anyone know where i can find the notes for this song, Been looking for ages, Appreciate the one who telle me.

[tormus1]

You can download it from the Werner Icking Music Archive site

[peytongirl14]

does anyone know why this piece was famous?

I really need to know for an assignment....

[1401JSC]

Its charme?

With the Coucou of Daquin, it figures among the first French harpsichord pieces learnt by young...pianists.

[peytongirl14]

does anyone know why this piece was famous?

[ascsmi2008]

Great performance and immortal music, thank you.

[ascsmi2008]

Great performance and immortal music, thank you.

[cambonese001]

oh also you did awesome!!!!!!!!!

[cambonese001]

this is one of my favorite peices and it has my name in it =D

[FernandRaynaud]

Thank you! Great interpretation. It happens I am falling in love with Couperin all over again. Who was it who said a Flemish was unsuitable -- it was David Way, never mind, he was wrong.

[tormus1]

Thank you for your comment. Much appreciated. I find that the Flemish is a good 'all rounder' as far as interpreting a large range of the harpsichord repertoire. Ironically, the Flemish instruments were highly regarded by the French builders.

[kangoos2000]

simply superb music

[cielobuio]

Love this piece, and compliments for your performance. I'm not a musician, but I get the impression this piece is more difficult than it might seem. Thanks for posting.

[pianoplayeruk]

your playing is so sweet and you play so well. tell me about your instrument? is it modern? and available somewhere? or a classic model?

[tormus1]

Thank you for your kind comment. My harpsichord is a Zuckerman Flemish double after Ruckers made by Carey Beebe in Sydney in 1988. It has 8', 8', 4, coupler plus buff to the lower manual. The compass is GG - d'''.

[marsvltor2]

Tormus: if you can play the Quatre Livres, then L'Art should be child's play! Regards, Paul :-)

[tormus1]

Thanks Paul; I never underestimate a piece, no matter how simple it might appear on paper. Sometimes the shortest and simplest pieces are the most difficult. (This reminds me of Schumann's Kinderszenen op 15 - where you have such a sort time to communicate to the listener.)

[marsvltor2]

Lovely stuff. It's difficult to tell with YouTube's sound, but what temperament are you using? Civilisation finally finds its way to the internet! All we need now! (PS: plus the pieces from 'L'Art de Toucher...)' Thanks you so much for this. Regards, Paul :-)

[tormus1]

Thank you. I recall I had tuned the harpsichord to Kellner. I'll have to revise the pieces from 'L'Art de Toucher le Clavecin'.

[AulicExclusiva]

Very nice indeed!

[crudosoy1]

Lovely instrument and wonderful playing my friend... didn't know this one but i really like it!!

Cheers!!

Santi

[papermariofreak64]

Well done. This is Sloan's brother. You are a god on the harpsichord. :)

[tormus1]

Thanks for the comment. Glad you enjoyed it.

[RWoosten]

Nice!

[fnersch]

Nice sounding performance. The instrument appears to be a replica of a 17th C. Ruckers a la grand revalement (1725), (GG - f3 compass). Original disposition was C/E - d3.

[tormus1]

The compass of my Flemish Double is GG - d3 - à petit ravalement.

[solti]

sir, can i know what is f3?and GG d3?tnx.

[tormus1]

GG = lowest g on the harpsichord ie G below the bass staff. d3 = the D above the treble staff etc.

[fnersch]

Correction: The original prototype appears to have been a Ruckers non-aligned double (called a transposing double by Frank Hubbard). Its bottom keyboard was disposed C/E-f3. In the early 18th Century, the keyboards were aligned (called an expressive double by Frank Hubbard) and the disposition was shifted down to GG-d3.Three sets of jacks were installed giving 2x8', 1x4'. This served as a prototype for the great Taskin and Couchet harpsichords in the mid to late 18th C.

[KThompson2006]

i want a harpsichord so bad!!!

[FritzieCarney]

Thank you so much for this.

[wolfgang7445]

That melody is so ghostly its not even funny, it keeps me up at night

[creamofcardstv]

Your video clip is great and I've rated it as awesome. Please check out mine on some 1920's trading cards of musical instruments, including the harpsichord.

[runnybum123]

a splendid performance, great playing-bravo and all i can say is couperin rules

[AAtaak]

Yes, I really like F. Couperin's music. Genius

[anormalius]

hm..good playing, 5 stars!!

[alexegeviz]

couperin rules!

[cookiebaroness]

A charming and haunting melody, close your eyes and listen.