Italian early music ensemble Il Giardino Armonico (The Harmonious Garden) performs Antoine Forqueray’s (the French composer and virtuoso of the viola da gamba, 1671-1745) La Couperin, a piece written for the harpsichord or Viola da Gamba and basso continuo (here played the second option). Musicians: Vittorio Ghielmi (Viola da gamba) and Luca Pianca (Liuto attiorbato).
Antoine Forqueray’s La Couperin
Antoine Forqueray’s “La Couperin” is a harpsichord (or Viola da Gamba and basso continuo, here played the second option) piece that epitomizes the rich, expressive style of the French Baroque. Antoine Forqueray (1672-1745) was a renowned French composer and virtuoso viol player, celebrated for his intricate and emotionally nuanced compositions. “La Couperin” is one of his most famous works, and it is part of a collection of pieces that showcase his skill in both composition and performance.
The title “La Couperin” pays homage to the esteemed Couperin family, a dynasty of musicians who were highly influential in the French Baroque era. The piece is likely dedicated to François Couperin, also known as “Le Grand,” who was a contemporary of Forqueray and one of the leading composers of the time. This dedication reflects the mutual respect and admiration between the two composers.
“La Couperin” is characterized by its elegant and sophisticated style, featuring the rich ornamentation and expressive depth typical of French Baroque music. The piece is written in the style of a dance suite, a common format in the Baroque period, which often includes a series of contrasting movements based on different dance forms.
The composition showcases Forqueray’s mastery of the harpsichord, with intricate melodic lines and complex harmonic progressions. The use of ornamentation, such as trills, mordents, and other embellishments, adds to the piece’s expressive quality and demonstrates the performer’s virtuosity. The music often alternates between lively, rhythmically engaging sections and more contemplative, lyrical passages, providing a dynamic and engaging listening experience.
Forqueray’s “La Couperin” also reflects the influence of the French lute tradition, with its delicate phrasing and subtle nuances. This connection to the lute is evident in the piece’s intricate textures and the emphasis on melodic development and harmonic richness. The work is a testament to Forqueray’s ability to blend the technical demands of the harpsichord with the expressive possibilities of French Baroque music.
Liuto attiorbato
The liuto attiorbato was a lute of 7 or 8 double courses of stopped strings, with 6 or 7 single or double courses of unstopped diapasons. This instrument was used principally for solo music but was also called for (as liuto) to provide continuo. Courses 1 and 2 were at the correct lute pitch, not lowered an octave as on the tiorba or chitarrone. This implies an instrument with a smallish body and a stopped string-length no longer than that of a normal lute.
Sources
- Liuto attiorbato on vanedwards.co.uk
