Description du produit
François Couperin (1668-1733) grew up in Paris in a family of musicians. He was taught first by his father, then by his uncle, and later studied with Jacques Thomelin and Michel Richard Delalande. Louis XIV chose him as organist when he was only 17. Couperin, on his father's death, took over as organist at St. Gervais. Later he was appointed at the Royal Chapel in Versailles and became Court Harpsichordist. In 1690, Couperin published his first and only collection of organ works (Livre d'Orgue): the "Messe à l'usage des Paroisses" (Mass for the Parishes) and the "Messe des Couvents" (Mass for the Convents). According to the tradition of his time, he set the hymns and antiphons of the Mass to music as instrumental pieces to be played in alternance with the Gregorian Chants of the Liturgy: five verses for the Kyrie, nine for the Gloria, three for the Sanctus and two for the Angus Dei. More importance was given to church music only at the Offertory and the Recessional (Deo Gratias). Just as Johann Sebastian Bach took the main theme for his "Goldberg Variations" from Couperin, Couperin himself integrated well-known French and European music into his works. There are fantasies, dances, duets, trios, airs, inventions and fugues, which contain elements of the Italian sonata and aria as well as German counterpoint. However, the highly personal and French character of his music remains evident. Couperin eschewed the Basso Continuo, modern at the time, but cultivated his own unique ornamentations and style and developed a fine art, one which did not yet exist in Europe in his day, writing detailed, expressive and colourful Registrations for each work. The "Messe à l'usage des Paroisses", previously mentioned, is more detailed, richer in variations, more modern and at the same time closer to Gregorian Chant than the "Messe des Couvents". The "Livre d'Orgue" along with the work of Nicloas de Grigny, is one of the masterpieces of late 17th Century French music, and may be considered, with the "Livres pour Clavecin" (Books for the harpsichord) and the "Leçons des Ténébres" (Lessons from the World of Darkness) as François Couperin's greatest work. Till Aly
Critique
« Till Aly is an excellent interpreter, he articulates precisely his ideas, has long phrasings with a great presence in every detail. » --Fono Forum
Biographie de l'artiste
The organist, pianist and conductor, Till Aly, is the Music Director of Europa Voce in Paris. He conduct s a concert season with symphonic repertoire, concertos, oratorios and contemporary music. As a conductor and pianist he has recorded for Radio France, the WDR, SWR, Ambiente, Deutschlandfunk and Hänssler. Till Aly frequently gives concerts in Milan, Berlin, Paris, the United States, in the Middle East and Asia. He has also been featured with the European Bach Festival and the Euroclassic Festival. Till Aly studied music in Berlin, Dresden, New York and Paris. tillaly.com
